BMW Automobile Line Names and Chassis Codes
Understanding BMW's Automotive Category Grouping
BMW has introduced their automobile line in several series and models groupings over the years. Sportier coupe and convertible styles are designated by even number groupings (2 Series, 4 Series, 6 Series) while BMW sedan-style models are given odd number groupings (3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series)
BMW Automobile Line Series Groupings Include:
- 1 Series – Pa range of subcompact executive cars
- 2 Series – Pa smaller two door coupe or convertible group
- 3 Series – Pa compact four door sedan, sports wagon and Gran Turismo grouping
- 4 Series – Pa compact style two-door coupe, convertible, and four-door Gran Coupe
- 5 Series – Pa mid-size four door available as a sedan or Gran Turismo
- 6 Series – Pa mid-size two door coupe, convertible, and four-door Gran Coupe or ALPINA Gran Coupe
- 7 Series – Pa full-size four door sedan or ALPINA sedan
- 8 Series – Pa range of grand tourers originally powered by V8 and V12 engines
In addition to the numbered series, BMW has four groups of vehicles designated by letters:
BMW Automobile Line Model Groupings Include:
- BMW i: – BMW’s line of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles
- M Models: – High-performance versions of many BMW models
- X Models: – SUVs and crossovers (Sports Activity Vehicles)
- Z Models: – Two door roadsters
- Isetta
Furthermore, BMW brand-specific vehicle types include:
- Gran Coupe – Four door coupe versions.
- Gran Turismo – Four door sedans with a higher driving position and a wagon-like trunk.
- ALPINA Sedan
- ALPINA Gran Coupe
- xDrive 4WD
- sDrive 2WD
ALPINA Sedan and ALPINA Gran Coupe – PaLPINA is a separate company from BMW.
- The BMW ALPINA lines are a higher performance variant of the 6 Series and 7 Series that are also produced in BMW factories.
xDrive vs. sDrive
This designation simply refers to whether a vehicle is 2-wheel drive (sDrive) or 4-wheel drive (xDrive).
BMW line choices
- Luxury Line – upgraded wheels, steering wheel and interior trim.
- X Line – upgraded wheels, roof rails and steering wheel.
- Sport Line – upgraded wheels, steering wheel and seats.
- M Sport Line – M wheels, M steering wheel, Sports instrument cluster, M aerodynamic kit and unique color choices.
BMW Chassis Codes / E Codes / F Codes / G Codes
BMW models and chassis are designated with an internal code to tell them apart. These are known as the BMW E-codes, F-codes, and G-codes. Every BMW production model, and even some prototypes and concept cars, are given a type designation.
"LCI" codes refer to Life Cycle Impulse, otherwise known as a facelift. BMW made major revisions to either the body and/or drivetrain that updates later models from earlier releases.
| BMW Chassis Codes | Production Timeline | Model Series/Classifications |
|---|---|---|
| E3 | 1968-1977 | 2500-3.3Li Sedan |
| E9 | 1965-1975 | 2500-3.0 CS/i/L Coupes |
| E10 | 1966-1977 | 1602, 2002, 2002tii |
| E12 | 1972-1981 | 5 Series |
| E21 | 1975-1983 | 3 Series |
| E23 | 1977-1987 | 7 Series |
| E24 | 1977-1989 | 6 Series |
| E26 | 1978-1981 | M1 |
| E28 | 1982-1988 | 5 Series |
| E30 | 1984-1991 | 3 Series |
| E31 | 1990-1998 | 8 Series |
| E32 | 1987-1994 | 7 Series |
| E34 | 1989-1995 | 5 Series |
| E36 | 1992-1999 | 3 Series |
| E36/5 | 1994-1998 | 318ti (Compact) |
| E36/7 | 1997-2002 | Z3 |
| E38 E38 LCI |
1995-1998 1999-2001 |
7 Series |
| E39 E39 LCI |
1997-1999 2000-2003 |
5 Series |
| E46 | 1999-2005 | 3 series |
| E52 | 2000-2004 | Z8 |
| E53 E53 LCI |
2000-2003 2004-2006 |
X5 SAV |
| E60 E60 LCI |
2004-2006 2007-2010 |
5 Series Sedan |
| E61 | 2004-2011 | 5 Series Wagon |
| E63 E63 LCI |
2005-2007 2008-2012 |
6 Series Coupe |
| E64 E64 LCI |
2005-2007 2008-2012 |
6 Series Convertible |
| E65 E65 LCI |
2002-2004 2005-2009 |
7 Series short wheelbase |
| E66 E65 LCI |
2002-2004 2005-2009 |
7 Series long wheelbase |
| E70 E70 LCI |
2007-2010 2010-2014 |
X5 SAV |
| E71 | 20072014 | X6 SAC |
| E82 | 2008 -2013 | 1 Series Coupe |
| E83 E83 LCI |
2003-2006 2007-2010 |
X3 SAV |
| E84 | 2012-2015 | X1 SAV |
| E85 E85 LCI |
2003-2005 2006-2008 |
Z4 / MZ4 Roadster |
| E86 | 2006-2008 | Z4 / MZ4 Coupe |
| E88 | 2008-2013 | 1 Series Convertible |
| E89 | 2009-2016 | Z4 Convertible Coupe |
| E90 E90 LCI |
2006-2008 2010-2012 |
3 Series Sedan |
| E91 E90 LCI |
2006-2008 2010-2012 |
3 Series Touring Wagon |
| E92 E92 LCI |
2007-2010 2011-2013 |
3 Series Coupe |
| E93 E93 LCI |
2007-2010 2011-2013 |
3 Series Convertible |
| F01 | 2008-2015 | 7 Series short-wheelbase |
| F02 | 2008-2015 | 7 Series long-wheelbase |
| F06 | 2012-2018 | 6 Series Gran Coupe |
| F07 | 2009-2017 | 5 Series GT |
| F10 F10 LCI |
2010-2013 2014-2016 |
5 Series Sedan |
| F11 | 2011-2017 | 5 Series Touring Wagon |
| F12 | 2012-2018 | 6 Series Convertible |
| F13 | 2012-2018 | 6 Series Coupe |
| F15 | 2014-2018 | X5 SAV |
| F16 | 2015-2019 | X6 SAV |
| F20 | 2011-2017 | 1 Series hatchback |
| F21 | 2011-2019 | 1 Series 3 door hatchback |
| F22 | 2014-2019 | 2 Series Coupe |
| F23 | 2014-2019 | 2 Series Convertible |
| F25 | 2011-2019 | X3 SAV |
| F26 | 2014-2019 | X4 SAV |
| F30 F30 LCI |
2012-2015 2016-2019 |
3 Series Sedan 3 Series Sedan facelift |
| F31 | 2013-2019 | 3 Series Wagon |
| F32 | 2014-2019 | 4 Series Coupe |
| F33 | 2014-2019 | 4 Series Convertible |
| F34 | 2014-2019 | 3 Series Gran Turismo |
| F36 | 2015-2019 | 4 Series Gran Coupe |
| F39 | 2017+ | X2 SUV |
| F40 | 2019+ | 1 Series hatchback |
| F44 | 2020+ | 2 Series Gran Coupe |
| F45 | 2014+ | 1 Series Active Tourer |
| F46 | 2014+ | 1 Series City Car |
| F47 | 2016+ | X2 SAV |
| F48 | 2016+ | X1 SAV |
| F80 | 2015+ | M3 Sedan |
| F82 | 2015+ | M4 Coupe |
| F83 | 2015+ | M4 Convertible |
| F85 | 2015+ | X5 |
| F86 | 2015+ | X6 |
| F87 | 2016 | M2 Coupe |
| F90 | 2018+ | M5 |
| F91 | 2018+ | M8 cabrio |
| F92 | 2018+ | M8 coupe |
| F93 | 2018+ | M8 Gran Coupe |
| F95 | 2021+ | X5 M |
| F96 | 2021+ | X6 M |
| F97 | 2018+ | X3M |
| F98 | 2018+ | X4M |
| G01 | 2017+ | X3 |
| G02 | 2017+ | X4 |
| G05 | 2018+ | X5 |
| G06 | 2019+ | X6 |
| G07 | 2017+ | X7 |
| G08 | 2018+ | X3 LWB |
| G11 | 2016 | 7 series SWB |
| G12 | 2016 | 7 series LWB |
| G14 | 2018+ | 8 series cabrio |
| G15 | 2018+ | 8 series coupe |
| G16 | 2018+ | 8 series Gran Coupe Coupe |
| G20 | 2018+ | 3 series sedan |
| G21 | 2018+ | 3 series wagon |
| G22 | 2018+ | 4 series coupe |
| G23 | 2018+ | 4 series cabrio |
| G24 | 2018+ | 3 series GT |
| G26 | 2018+ | 4 series Gran Coupe |
| G29 | 2018+ | Z4 roadster |
| G30 | 2017+ | 5 series sedan |
| G31 | 2017+ | 5 series wagon |
| G32 | 2017+ | 6 series GT |
| G42 | 2021+ | 2 series coupe |
| G80 | 2021+ | M3 Sedan |
| G82 | 2021+ | M4 Coupe |
| G83 | 2021+ | M4 cabrio |
| i01 | 2014+ | i3 plug-in electric city car |
| i12 | 2014-2019 | i8 plug-in hybrid sports car |
| A90 | 2020+ | MkV Toyota Supra |
