WHAT DO THE MODEL CODES MEAN, E30, E36, E46 etc??

[al325i]

As the title says, are they total random numbers or is their some hidden BMW code that only the enlightened know the answer too?

I'm asking for no reason other than curiosity.......I know.........it killed the cat

Cheers

Al

[Simon]

They are codes that are used at the design stage of the car, and whatever design is chosen that model code sticks with the car. The E30 probably had quite a few other model codes at design stage too.

[JamesM3]

The codes that you mention refer to different models of the BMW 3 series.
They are BMW codes to identify the different models

Im not sure of the exact years but i think they were

E30 1983-1992
E36 1992 - 1998
E46 1998 - present

Hope this helps

[Gwynleym10]

I think al maybe asking is why they seem not to have any relationship between each other, i.e why does the 3 series codes go e30, e36, e46 and why not e30, e40 ,e50 or e26, e36 ,e46. They do seam to be a bit random!

But i have now read simons post and understood it.....

[al325i]

Yeah I know what they are and I know the years, as any BMW nerd should know

My question was what do they stand for, as in why e30, then e36 (a diff of 6) but then e46 (a diff of 10) see what I mean

Cheers

Al
ps Should have read the previous post, before I posted this as it kinda says the same as this, DOH!!!!

[E30Mark]

I'm sure it's just the next number out of the book.

E31, E32, E33 etc just didn't make it to production....

Somehow the E36 did !! only kidding guys, the E36 ain't that bad

E30's Rule

[Paul325i]

The E stands for Entwicklung, evolution for you and me.

I think i read once that the numbers jump up like that because they also number prototype models, but they advance the numbering in such a way that it appears the cars have evolved more than they have.

[Simon]

I'm sure it's just the next number out of the book.

E31, E32, E33 etc just didn't make it to production....

Somehow the E36 did !! only kidding guys, the E36 ain't that bad

E30's Rule

E31 is an 8 series
E32 is a 7 series

How that damn E36 slipped the net I'll never know!

I thought I'd pretty much answered the Q in my first post!

[E30Mark]

E31 is an 8 series
E32 is a 7 series

How that damn E36 slipped the net I'll never know!

I thought I'd pretty much answered the Q in my first post!

Hmm, you can tell i'm all clued up on other BM's E numbers!

Looking back it does appear you answered the Q in your post, i'm just trying to get my post count up

[Ant]

e30 means classy looking car
e36 means was nice now rice car
e46 means nice car soon to be a rice car.

you get me dudes

Scott you listening M8 ?