How do the BMW model numbers work? As in do they equate to engines, spec etc.

I have someone looking at some but getting confused.

Depends on the age!

It's always engine, most don't have spec badges on them.

Looking at 2009-10's

So what do you do pick an engine, then spec them up, or do they have models of any sort?

Engine, then spec. What specifically are you looking at?

They were looking at 3 Series, but a 323 had a better spec than a 320 and a 328, and the 320 a bigger engine.

Completely lost both of us.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E92

All the info you need i hope...

Bmw have ruined there badge codings. Used to be simple apart from a 316 and a 318 (both 1.8) all the others were engine size now its power the higher the number the more power it has. Nowt to do with the spec

323... is that petrol or diesel? They had a 123d which was the twin-turbo one.

Bmw have ruined there badge codings. Used to be simple apart from a 316 and a 318 (both 1.8) all the others were engine size now its power the higher the number the more power it has. Nowt to do with the spec

I found that.

Used to be easy, now it's a bit of a minefield as the engine is usually smaller than the badge would suggest.

I put this down to the ego-inflating owners experience effect of putting a better badge on than the engine in the car if you went by the old system.

I found that.

Used to be easy, now it's a bit of a minefield as the engine is usually smaller than the badge would suggest.

I put this down to the ego-inflating owners experience effect of putting a better badge on than the engine in the car if you went by the old system.

Wait for their new turbo engines to arrived, you may as well throw the numbering system out the window.

328 is a 2.0T :wonder:

328 is a 2.0T :wonder:

Can't wait for the 550d with its 3litre tri-turbo.

Can't wait for the 550d with its 3litre tri-turbo.

That does look very impressive, but they said it might not be available in RHD (4wd version) which is a shame.

I have several friends who have BMW's.........even they say that BMW has lost the plot with the numbers game.........It used to be type, then engine size, with a d for diesel and then the M for motorsport. They still keep to it but watch the engine sizeing as it's got to be a mess as larger numbers like "28" do not always mean a 2.8lt engine......it could be smaller.......and in some cases they seem to be dropping the "d" for diesel!!!!

Is it not higher the number more powerful the engine? In general anywya

Although BMW were one of the pioneers of early turbo charging, they turned staunchly against it in the 80's. Then turbo diesels came along, and now turbo petrol engines are seen as a means of extracting more power and fuel efficiency out of a smaller petrol engine.

The badge numbers used to equate to the size of the engine but no more.

As said above the new badge numbers relate to the power the engine produces. The badge now shows what the engine in the car would be if it were naturally aspirated instead of turbo charged.

For instance the 2.0 litre petrol engine has a range of different power outputs depending on how the engine is tuned, so a 323i would be tuned to a lower level than a 328i etc. The new M550D is the equivalent of having a 5.0 l diesel engine up front even though it's only a 3.0 litre.

The spec used to be decided on the letter after the model number, S, SE, M Sport etc, but now they have changed to some arty farty emotional terms to describe the new spec levels, Urban, Sport and Business I think.

Not forgetting that most BMWs are personalised with various packs and features from a mind boggling range of expensive options.

passed it on. thanks all.

I think theyre now looking at some ex flet 330 mercs!

passed it on. thanks all.

I think theyre now looking at some ex flet 330 mercs!

If its Mercs, it would be 320 or 350 not 330!! but thats another mine field.

That does look very impressive, but they said it might not be available in RHD (4wd version) which is a shame.

Never mind that :no:

What about the new Alpina D5 bi-turbo? It puts out 345bhp and a mighty 516lb ft torque, and still returns 50mpg with CO2 at just 155g/kg. Unbelievable

My Superb puts out 154g/km CO2 but has a meagre 130bhp and 212lb ft

If only I had a spare £56k knocking about

If its Mercs, it would be 320 or 350 not 330!! but thats another mine field.

Your right, 350D estate. I quite like them myself as they look the part, yet the design is very classic on the newer versions withe the LED rear lights and smaller rear clusters.

I'd have one. AMG version prefered if the lottery win comes in.