Feature Designations
It's all well and good to tell someone that you've got a BMW 7 Series, but this, on it's own, doesn't tell the listener much. If he/she doesn't share a passionate interest for BMWs or the conversation is just a light one over a dinner party, you needn't stipulate further. Maybe just the year or whether the car is 'recent' or 'vintage' should suffice as a description. If one wishes to really get into the world of technical description for BMW models, then the 'E' designation and engine type soon becomes central.
The first chart serves as a simple translation tool for the "E" designation which is used by BMW to codename every one of it's automobiles. It used not only to represent the series of the vehicle, but also it's specific generation, each new line gets a new designation. For example, the first 7 series was designated the "E23", while the newest 7 series (2003), the 760Li with long wheelbase, is codenamed the "E66". Knowing your "E" code is critical, as most enthusiasts and many on the internet simply identify their BMW by its designation. It will also help when you go to buy accessories or parts for your beamer, saving you five minutes over the phone with technician.
'E' Model Designations Chart
| Model | Year | Cars |
| 114 / E6 E10 / E12 |
1967 - 77 | 1502, 1600, 1602, 1800, 1802, 2000, 2002ti/tii E10 was the touring three door model E20 was the 2002 tii & turbo |
| E3 | 1968 - 77 | 2500, 2800, Bavaria, 3.0S/Si, 3.3Li |
| E9 | 1965- 75 | 2000CS, 2500CS, 2800CS, 3.0CS/i/L |
| E12 | 1972- 81 | 518, 518i, 520, 520i, 535, 525i, 528i, 530i, M535i |
| E21 | 1975-83 | 316, 318i, 320, 320i/s, 323i |
| E23 | 1978-87 | 725i, 728, 728i, 730i, 732i, 733i, 735i, 745i, L7 |
| E24 | 1977-89 | 628i, 630CS/i, 633CSi, 635CSi, M635CSi, L6 (highline) |
| E26 | 1978-81 | M1 |
| E28 | 1982-88 | 518i, 520i, 524td, 525i/e, 528e, 533i, 535i, M535i, M5 |
| E30 | 1983-91 | 316, 316i, 318i/s, 320i, 323i, 324td, 325e, 325i/ix/is, M3 |
| E31 | 1990 on | 840i, 840Ci, 850i, 850Ci, 850CSi |
| E32 | 1988-94 | 730i, 735i/iL, 740i/iL, 750iL |
| E34 | 1988-96 | 518i, 520i, 525i/x, 525td/s, 530i, 535i, 540i, M5 |
| E30 | 1989-91 | Z1 convertible |
| E36/7 | 1996+ | Z3 convertible and Z3 coupe (Z5) |
| E36 | 1991 - 99 | 316i, 318i/s/ti/tds, 320i, 323i, 325i/td/tds, 328i/s, M3,Z3 |
| E38 | 1995 - 2002 | 728i, 730i, 730d, 735i, 740i/iL, 750i/L |
| E39 | 1997+ | New 5 series 520i, 523i, 525tds, 528i, 530d, 535i, 540i, M5 |
| E46 | 1998+ | Next 3 series |
| E53 | 2000+ | X5 four wheel drive SAV |
| E52 | 2000+ | Z8 roadster |
| E60 | 2002+ | Next generation five series, same floorpan as E65 |
| E63 | 2003+ | New generation six series, 635Ci, 645Ci, M6 based on E56 chassis |
| E65 | 2002+ | Current Seven Series, 735i, 745i, 760i |
| E66 | 2002+ | Long wheel base E65, eg. 760iL |
| E70 | 2007 | Second generation X5 |
| E71 E72 | 2007 | X6, Coupe version of X5 |
| E81 E82 | late 2002 | 1 Series |
| E87 E88 | late 2002 | 1 Series |
| E83 | 2003 | X3 SAV |
| E85 | 2002 | Z4 Roadster |
| E86 | 2006 | Z4 Coupe |
| E89 | 2009 | Second generation Z4 |
| E90 | 2005 | Fifth three series, 4 door saloon |
| E91 | 2005 | Fifth three series, touring five door |
| E92 | 2006 | Fifth three series, Coupe |
| E93 | 2007 | Fifth three series, Cabriolet |
| F01 F02 | 2009 | New seven series |
| F03 F04 | 2009 | New seven series |
| F10 F11 | 2010 | New five series |
Engine Specifications Chart
| BMW Code |
Size(litres) | Cyl | Valves per Cyl |
Power (bhp@rpm) |
Torque (lb/ft@rpm) |
BHP/ litre |
Torque/ litre |
Produced | Bore
x Stroke (mm) |
Timing | Weight (kg) |
VANOS | Used in |
| M10 | 1.5
1.6 1.8 2.0 2.0i 2.0tii 2.0 turbo |
4 | 2 | 85 @ 5700 90->98 @ 5250 100 @ 5500 125 @ 5700 130 @ 5800 170 @ 5800 |
91@ 3000 108 @ 3000 116 @ 3000 129 @ 4350 131 @ 4500 181 @ 4000 |
50
53.1 52.2 50 62.5 65 85 |
56.9 60 58 65 65 90.5 |
75
66 -> 69? 71 -> 87 68 -> 75 E21 320i / E12 520i 71 -> 75 73 -> 74 |
82x71
84x71 89x71 89x80 89x80 89x80 89x80? |
Chain | 82 | No | 1502
1600-2 1802, E21/E30 316 2002, E21 320 2002 tii 2002 turbo |
| M20
(little six) |
2.0
2.0i 2.3i 2.5i 2.7eta |
6 | 2 | 129 @ 6000 143 @ 5300 170 @ 5800 125 @ 4250 |
120 @ 4000 151 @ 4000 167 @ 4000 177 @ 3250 |
64.5 62.2 68 46.3 |
60 65.7 66.8 65.6 |
77->92 | 80x66
80x66 80x76.8 84x75 84x81 |
Belt | 117 | No | E21 320
E21 320i/6, E30, E34 E21/30 323i 325i, E34 525i 325e,528e |
| M30
(big six) |
2.5 carb
2.5i 2.8 carb 2.8i 3.0 (I) 3.0 (II) 3.3 3.5 |
6 | 2 | 150 @ ?
150 @ 5500 165? 184 @ 5800 185->208 @ ? 188@ 5800 200->206 (euro) 218@ 5200 |
159 @ 4000 177 @ 4000 188 @ ? 192 @ 4000 209 @ ? 229 @ 4000 |
60
60 58.9 65.7 61.7 62.7 60.6 62.3 |
63.6 63.2 62.7 64 63.3 67.4 |
73->81
81->88 74->77 81->87/8 1970s 1987->93 early 80s 77/8 -> 93 |
86x80 86x80 89x80 89x80 86x86 92x86 |
Chain | 143 | No | E12 525
E28 525i, E23 725i E12 528, 2800/CS E28 528i, E23 728i 3.0CS/i/L,3.0Si 6 cyl 530i & 730i 3.3Li/633, 732i/733i 535i,635i,735i |
| M102 | 3.4 | 6 | 2 | 252 @ 5200 | 279 @ 2200 | 74.1 | 82.1 | 84-> 86? | ? | Chain | 145 | No | E23 745i |
| M40 | 1.6
1.8 |
4 | 2 | 102 @ 5500
115 @ 5500 |
105 @ 4250
122 @ 4250 |
63.8
63.9 |
63.8
67.8 |
87? -> late 93 | 84x72
84x81 |
Belt | 81 | No | post -87 E30 316i, 318i, 518i, Pre-93 E36 316i, euro 318i. |
| M42 | 1.8 | 4 | 4 | 140 @ 6000 | 129 @ 4500 | 77.8 | 71.7 | 89 -> 96 | 84x81 | Chain | 100 | No | E30/36 318is, Z3 |
| M43 | 1.6
1.8 |
4 | 2 | 102 @ 5500
115 @ 5500 |
111 @ 3900
124 @ 3900 |
63.8
63.9 |
69.3
68.9 |
late '93 -> late 98 | 84x72
84x81 |
Chain | 83 | No | Post '93 E36 316i, euro 318i (except Coupe), 518i |
| M43TU | 1.9 | 4 | 2 | 118 @ 5500 | 133 @ 3900 | 62.1 | 70 | 98 on | 85x83.5 | Chain | 83? | No | E46 318i all models inc. Coupe |
| M44 | 1.9 | 4 | 4 | 140 @ 6000 | 133 @ 4300 | 73.7 | 70 | 96 on | 85x83.5 | Chain | 102 | No | E36 318iS, Z-3 |
| M50/M50TU | 2.0
2.5 3.0 |
6 | 4 | 150 @ 5900
192 @ 5900 240 @ 6000 |
140 @ 4700
181 @ 4700 225 @ 4250 |
75
76.8 80 |
70
72.4 75 |
89? -> 98
89? -> 95 95 |
80x66
84x75 ? |
Chain | 136 | Single on TU |
320i,520i
325i, 525i Early US E36 M3 |
| M52/M52TU | 2.0
2.5 2.8 3.0 3.2 |
6 | 4 | 150 @ 5900
170 @ 5500 193 @ 5300 241 @ 6900 |
140 @ 4200
180 @ 3950 207 @ 3950 236 @ 3600 |
75
68 68.9 75.3 |
70
72 74 73.8 |
96 on
95 on 95 on 96->99 |
80x66
84x75 84x84 ? |
Chain | 118 euro
140? USA |
Single
Double on TU |
E39 520i
E36 323i, E39 523i E36 328i, E39 528i, 728i Late US E36 M3 |
| M54 | 2.0
2.2 2.5 2.8 3.0 |
6 | 4 | 150 @ 5900
170 @ ? 192 @ ? 193 @ 5500 231 @ ? |
140 @ 3500
155 @ 3500 181 @ 3500 207 @ 3500 221 @ 3500 |
75
77.3 76.8 68.9 77 |
70
70.5 72.4 74 73.7 |
.
autumn 2000 autumn 2000 - early 2000 |
? | Chain | 126 | Double | '99 Z3, E39 and E46 six cylinder models
2.2 replaced 2.0 3.0 replaced 2.8 |
| M60 | 3.0
4.0 |
V8 | 4 | 218 @ 5800
286 @ 5800 |
229 @ 4500
295 @ 5100 |
72.7
71.5 |
76.3
73.8 |
April 92 -> 96 | 84x67.6
89x80 |
Chain | 146 | No | 530i 730i
540i, 740i, 840i |
| M62 | 3.5
4.4 4.6 |
V8 | 4 | 235 @ 5700
286 @ 5700 350? |
236 @ 4700
310 @ 3900 ? |
67.1
65 76? |
67.4
70.5 ? |
late 96 on | 84x78.9
92x82.7 ? |
Chain | 140 | Single after 98 |
730i
540i, 740i,840i |
| M70 | 5.0 | V12 | 2 | 300 @ 5200 | 332 @ 3900 | 60 | 66.4 | 88-> 94 | 84x75 | Chain | 155 | No | 750il 850i |
| M73 | 5.4 | V12 | 2 | 326 @ 5000 | 361 @ 3900 | 60.4 | 66.9 | 95/6? on | 85x79 | Chain | 150 | Single after 98 |
E38 750iL ? |
| S14 | 2.3
2.5 |
4 | 4 | 200 @ 6750
215 @ 6750 |
177 @ 4600
181 @ 4750 |
87
86 |
77
72.4 |
87 -> 89
90 -> 91 |
93.2x83.8
? |
Chain | 106 | No | E30 M3 euro |
| S38 (I) | 3.5 | 6 | 4 | 277 @ 6500
286 @ 6500 |
238 @ 5000
245 @ 4500 |
79.1
81.7 |
68
70 |
79 - > 80
86 -> 90 |
93.2x83.8 | Chain | 146 | No | M1
E28 M5, M6 |
| S38 (II) | 3.6
3.8 |
6 | 4 | 315 @ 6900
340 @ 6900 |
260 @ 4750
289 @ 4500 |
87.5
89.5 |
72.2
76 |
88 -> 91
92 -> 96 |
? | Chain | 151 | No | E34 M5 |
| S50 | 3.0 | 6 | 4 | 286 @ 7000 | 236 @ 3600 | 95.3 | 78.7 | 92 ->95 | ? | Chain | 152 | Single | E36 M3 |
| S52 | 3.2 | 6 | 4 | 321 @ 7400 | 258 @ 3250 | 100.3 | 80.6 | 96 -> 2000 | 86.4x91 | Chain | 152 | Double | E36 M3 (Euro) |
| S54 | 3.2 | 6 | 4 | 343 @ 7900 | 269 @ 4900 | 107.2 | 84.1 | 2001 on | ? | Chain | ? | Double | E46 M3 //M Roadster |
| S62 | 4.9 | 8 | 4 | 400 @ 6600 | 369 @ 3800 | 81.6 | 75.3 | 99 on | 94x89 | Chain | 158 | Dual | E39 M5 |
| S70 | 5.6 | 12 | 2 | 380 @ 5300 | 406 @ 4000 | 67.9 | 72.5 | 94->97? | ? | Chain | 165 | No? | E31 850CSi |
| M21 Diesel | 2.4
2.4 Turbo |
6 | 2 | 86 @ 4600
115 @ 4800 |
112 @ 2500
155 @ 2400 |
35.8
47.9 |
46.7
64.6 |
85 -> 86
83-> 91? |
80x81 | Belt | 126 | No | 324td, 524d/td |
| M41Diesel | 1.7 TD | 4 | 2 | 90 @ 4400 | 140 @ 2000 | 53 | 82.4 | 95 on | 80x82.8 | Chain? | 108 | No | E36 318TDS |
| M51 Diesel | 2.5 TD
2.5 TDS |
6 | 2 | 115 @ 4800
143 @ 4800 |
162 @ 2400
206 @ 2200 |
46
57.2 |
64.8
82.4 |
95 on | 80x82.8 | Chain | 132 | No | E36 325TD/S, E34, E39 |
| M47 Diesel | 2.0 | 4 | 4 | 136 @ 4000 | 207 @ 1750 | 68 | 103.5 | 98 on | ? | Chain | 117 | No? | E46 320d |
| ? Diesel | 2.5
3.0 |
6 | 4 | 170 @ 4000
183 @ ? |
258 @ 2000
300 @ 1750 |
68
61 |
103.2
100 |
autumn 2000 | ? | Chain | 165 | No? | E46, E39 |
| M57 Diesel | 4.0 | V8 | 4 | 245 @ 4000 | 413 @ 1750 | 61.2 | 103.2 | 99 on | ? | Chain | 192 | No? | E38 740d |
| M57T30 (306D4) | 3.0 | 6 | 4 | 272 @ 4400 | 413 @ 2000 | 91 | 138 | 2004 on | ? | Chain | ? | No? | E60 535d |
| M67/M67TU | 3.9 | V8 | 4 | 245 @ 4000 | 413 @ 1750-2500 | 61.2 | 103.2 | 98 on | ? | Chain | 192 | No? | E38 740d |
| M67 Diesel | 4.4 | V8 | 4 | 329 @ 3800 | 552 @ 1900-2500 | 74.8 | 125.5 | 98 on | ? | Chain | 192 | No? | 4.4 E66 745d |
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