BMW model names/numbers/letters explained:

[Torque]

Except for M-models (M for Motorsport, then a number for the series), most BMW models carry number names such as 325i.

- The first number is the series name: In the case of a 325i, it means 3-series.
- The remaining two numbers are the engine displacement: 2.5L***
- The letter "i" following the number means: injection
----- Other possible letters that you could see here are:
----------- iS - sport
----------- iC - convertible
----------- Ci - coupe
----------- CSL - Clubsport Lightweight
----------- iL - Long wheel base
----------- A - automatic
----------- t - touring
----------- td - turbo-diesel
----------- tds - turbo diesel-intercooled
----------- ti - compact version of the 3 series (318ti)
----------- i - international...rarely used except on the 2002tii
----------- M - motorsport

*** - Exceptions to this rule are:
----------- older models such as 2002, 2002turbo etc.
----------- E39 540i - 4.4L
----------- E38 740i - 4.4L
----------- E36 323i/is - detuned 2.5L from E36 325i/is
----------- E36 318i/ti - 1.9L

- I will cover the E-numbers in a different thread.

[komodo]

Nice, I actually used to wonder about that all the time, and it took me like a month to find a site that explained everything, so I'm sure this thread will be helpful to a lot of people.

[528man]

thanks for mentioning those exceptions, i too wondered about those

[pimpin328is]

don't forget on the e36 "is" means coupe not sport :

[EcianIce]

the iS meaning coupe onlyE36 may or may not be right, it could just be that all sports modles happen to be coupe.

anyways. there might be an exception to your guide here. on E46's i've seen both coupe and convertables labled like - 330Ci.

[Joey]

In the E30's case, a 325i can be a coupe or a sedan, but the iS is exclusively a two-door. The coupeness is part of the sport package. The 325/325e/325es also don't follow the displacement rule; their badges would indicate a 2.5L but they all have 2.7.

[drz]

BMW is rather loose when it come to the displacement portion of the name, but they try to stay in the vicinity of the actual displacement. Examples:

323: 2.5l
525: 3.0l
318: 1.9l

etc., etc.

[Torque]

525i is actually a 2.5 liter. 530i is a 3L.

[bitcore]

I'm De-tuned...

[komodo]

Originally Posted by drz328i

BMW is rather loose when it come to the displacement portion of the name, but they try to stay in the vicinity of the actual displacement. Examples:

323: 2.5l
525: 3.0l
318: 1.9l

etc., etc.

That was to make up for the power loss of OBD2, right?

[Terp]

great post. Torque.

[bostongreen18]

Originally Posted by Torque

----------- i - international...rarely used except on the 2002tii

wrong. i means injected, as in fuel injection.

e stands for the greek leter eta. this means efficiency. the eta engines get better gas mileage.