Logic behind the "E" Models? - Page 2 - United Bimmer Community

**3050rpm** · 09-17-2006, 04:42 AM

No, the BMW 003 was a real turbojet engine; the early prototypes of the Me-262 were flitted with Jumo piston engines because the airframe was ready for flight testing before suitable engines were! (Lots of development problems as one might imagine with such a new technology.) Nice inclusion of NASM exhibit material, by the way.

**celsdogg** · 09-17-2006, 09:47 AM

^^^ i missed the part where you said Me-262.

the Messerschmitt was the first jet powered plane to be put in production. but i didnt know it was powered by bmw engines!

**3050rpm** · 09-17-2006, 10:31 AM

I was rather amazed to find that out myself as well. I gather that the high combustion temperatures led to compressor blade failure, the availability of the right metals and the manufacturing capability being squeezed because of the war, and the switch was made to the Junkers engines which for some reason unknown to me provided at least marginally better service, although from what I understand those early engine designs were technological dead ends.

Interestingly enough, the Heinkel He-200 jet fighter (I think that was the designation) actually preceded the Me-262 (not sure what engines the He-200 had), and in some ways was better, but it never got beyond the prototype and early testing phase due to political and bureaucratic infighting within the Reichluftministerium. As the saying goes, "Imagine how the war would have turned out..."

**Cuse330Ci** · 09-17-2006, 11:04 AM

They should have made an ///Me-262 with extra thrust and special rims on the landing gear!

**Chris** · 09-18-2006, 05:12 PM

last i checked, BMW is still banned from making aircraft engines after the whole world war thing.

**celsdogg** · 09-18-2006, 05:33 PM

^^^ yeah, probably. japan and germany (and their allies during WWII) were banned from making certain weapons, and having armies larger than 10k troops or something like that.

altho now, restrictions on those two countries is probably stifling innovation and research.

**3050rpm** · 09-18-2006, 07:11 PM

Hmmm, interesting... I could be mistaken, but I thought they were involved in prop engines for small aircraft, and engines for business and mini- jets. In the credits for the movie "Das Boot" BMW Marine is listed, I can only presume they make engines for pleasure and commercial craft. Along those lines German shipyards still make submarines, but whether diesel-electric or gas turbine or whatever I don't know, and I don't know who makes the engines.

**Alpine328i** · 09-22-2006, 10:34 PM

Also, I was thinking.... if the first number is the series, then why is an E46 a 3 series?

There really is no logic I think....

**celsdogg** · 09-23-2006, 07:23 AM

^^^ the first number isnt the series. the numbers are just arbitrary. they dont plan them any certain way.

**Alpine328i** · 09-23-2006, 10:18 PM

The link that was provided on the first page of this thread said, "The 'E' translates into a German word for 'development'.
Each 'E-number' refers to a model series (3,5,6,7,8) with
variations such as station wagons, hatchbacks, or convertibles."

So that's false?

Even the E21 back in the day was a 3 series, but started with a 2. And there's been all kinds of "E's" that dont begin with 3 for 3 series models....

So I guess we're back at square one...

What's the logic behind the "E's"?