What is with all these BMW E numbers ???

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

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I know instantly what a 3 series looks like or a 5 Series or what a M3, Z4 is. But E46........or E39? What does that mean? bigger=newer ?
 
IIRC it refers to the body style. A 3 series would come in (off the top of my head) an E30, E36, E46, and the current body style, the E90. There's other numbers for the other models, and I'm sure someone will come in and give you a more definitive answer.
 
Dr_Evil said:
It's the motor indication mainly.
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No it isn't. It's which generation of model it is. For example, E46 is the 1998-2005 3 Series.

I did a huge thing on which was which in a comedy style a few weeks ago. I'll dig it out.

Edit: Here we go.

E30: Old 1984-1990 3 Series. For people who want a BMW but have £300 oin their pocket. M3 is classic.
E32: Old 1980's 7 Series. For unemployed carpet depot managers
E34: 1988-1996 5 Series. Insert sweeping stereotype here.
E36: 1990-1999 3 Series. The car for you if you wear gold chains and have hair loss issues, or are a chav
E38: 1994-2002 7 Series. For employed carpet depot managers, owners of shady car sales lots and lorry drivers.
E39: 1996-2004 5 Series. The best car in the world, the pinnacle of BMW design, absolutely staggering. For drivers with pure class, and students.
E46: 1998-2005 3 Series. Can't think of a comedy generalisation
E60: 2003-current 5 Series. Voyage to trip-out city, man
E61: 2004-current 5 Series touring. Same voyage, but the dog can come.
E65: 2002-current 7 Series. The first in a long line of 'WTF IS THAT' styling
E66: 2002-current 7 Series LWB. For fat bankers who are just that little bit fatter.
E53: 2001-2007 X5. For when a 5 Series Touring is just too good, and you need the bling bling yo aggresive presence man, innit. Down wid da boys on the school run sorta thing.
E90: 2005-current 3 Series. Faced with the alarming prospect of having once again the best compact executive, BMW ruined the styling to give the competition a chance.
E91: 2005-current 3 Series Touring. As above, but the dog, etc.
E92: 2006-current 3 Series Coupe. See, just one E number per Series isn't enough, is it? Coming soon - E92.5, 3 Series Coupe with additional rear mounted cupholder.

There are other E numbers for things like the Z4, but finding them required effort so I didn't bother.
 
For reasonalbly recent cars (ie not too old)


in chronological order oldest first:

3 series

e30 e36 e46 e90 (current 4/5 door) e92 (current 2 door)

5 Series

e34 e39 e60 (Current shape)

6 series

e24 e63/64(current)

7 Series

e37 e66 (current)

Someone will probably correct me if im wrong though :)

EDIT: fox owned me, surprise surprise that he'd have a list of numbers ready :D
 
rG-tom said:
For reasonalbly recent cars (ie not too old)


in chronological order oldest first:

3 series

e30 e36 e46 e90 (current 4/5 door) e92 (current 2 door)

5 Series

e34 e39 e60 (Current shape)

6 series

e24 e65(current)

7 Series

e37 e66 (current)

Someone will probably correct me if im wrong though :)
Click to expand...

Yes, you are wrong. E37 didnt exist, it was E38. 5 door E90 doesnt exist, its E91. E65 isn't a 6 Series. Infact just ignore your list completely as its clearly totally made up :p
 
[TW]Fox said:
Yes, you are wrong. E37 didnt exist, it was E38. 5 door E90 doesnt exist, its E91. E65 isn't a 6 Series. Infact just ignore your list completely as its clearly totally made up :p
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:p yes i made a typo on a few :p
 
[TW]Fox said:
E65: 2002-current 7 Series. The first in a long line of 'WTF IS THAT' styling

E90: 2005-current 3 Series. Faced with the alarming prospect of having once again the best compact executive, BMW ruined the styling to give the competition a chance.
Click to expand...

Lol..
I love that.

My dad is the same, but for bmw's >E30. Says they have too many curves :D
 
[TW]Fox said:
E30: Old 1984-1990 3 Series. For people who want a BMW but have £300 oin their pocket. M3 is classic.
E32: Old 1980's 7 Series. For unemployed carpet depot managers
E34: 1988-1996 5 Series. Insert sweeping stereotype here.
E36: 1990-1999 3 Series. The car for you if you wear gold chains and have hair loss issues, or are a chav
E38: 1994-2002 7 Series. For employed carpet depot managers, owners of shady car sales lots and lorry drivers.
E39: 1996-2004 5 Series. The best car in the world, the pinnacle of BMW design, absolutely staggering. For drivers with pure class, and Me.
E46: 1998-2005 3 Series. Can't think of a comedy generalisation
E60: 2003-current 5 Series. Voyage to trip-out city, man
E61: 2004-current 5 Series touring. Same voyage, but the dog can come.
E65: 2002-current 7 Series. The first in a long line of 'WTF IS THAT' styling
E66: 2002-current 7 Series LWB. For fat bankers who are just that little bit fatter.
E53: 2001-2007 X5. For when a 5 Series Touring is just too good, and you need the bling bling yo aggresive presence man, innit. Down wid da boys on the school run sorta thing.
E90: 2005-current 3 Series. Faced with the alarming prospect of having once again the best compact executive, BMW ruined the styling to give the competition a chance.
E91: 2005-current 3 Series Touring. As above, but the dog, etc.
E92: 2006-current 3 Series Coupe. See, just one E number per Series isn't enough, is it? Coming soon - E92.5, 3 Series Coupe with additional rear mounted cupholder.

There are other E numbers for things like the Z4, but finding them required effort so I didn't bother.
Click to expand...

Fixed :p
 
Raymond Lin said:
I know instantly what a 3 series looks like or a 5 Series or what a M3, Z4 is. But E46........or E39? What does that mean? bigger=newer ?
Click to expand...

Glad you asked that since joining here and the large number of BMW owners it has been rather confusing me, but didn't dare ask in case it was blindingly obvious.

:D
 
E12, and E28 where the 5 series models before the E34, just incase you wanted E numbers that dated back to Noah's Ark.

When the E39 first came out, I didnt like it... Still have an E34. But finally Im going 'modern' and getting an E39. Cash sitting in the bank ! :).

I guess having seen so many of the E60's now, the E39 shape has totally grown on me :), and my poor E34 (With Throwing star 'Concept II' alloys) is just getting too tired, and its not worth putting it right.
 
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