BMW 325Ci, 328iA, what do Ci, and iA mean?

[EddyTeddy]

I know that i stands for injection, but what about A, and C? If there are more of these letters, can you please tell me, and explain? Thanks!

[mumblyjoe]

i - Fuel injected
Ci - Coupe, used from E46 onwards (sometimes retconned to E36 coupes)
Csi - Coupe sports
e - ETA model (different more efficient engine)
es - ETA sports model
ic - Convertible
is - Sports package. Typically different suspension or body kit or even interior. On E36 318is in some regions, usually meant DOHC (M42/M44) engine as opposed to SOHC (M40/M43)
iT - Touring (station wagon)
iX - All wheel drive
L - Luxury model
Li or iL - Long wheel base
Ti - Touring compact (hatchback)
tii - Touring international. Only used on 2002tii
M - BMW Motorsport variant
CSL - Coupe Sports Light. Only found on Motorsport variants (e.g. 3.0CSL and M3 CSL)

The A isn't an official designator but I believe some people use it here to show it as an 'automatic' as opposed to manual.

[EddyTeddy]

i - Fuel injected
Ci - Coupe, used from E46 onwards (sometimes retconned to E36 coupes)
Csi - Coupe sports
e - ETA model (different more efficient engine)
es - ETA sports model
ic - Convertible
is - Sports package. Typically different suspension or body kit or even interior. On E36 318is in some regions, usually meant DOHC (M42/M44) engine as opposed to SOHC (M40/M43)
iT - Touring (station wagon)
iX - All wheel drive
L - Luxury model
Li or iL - Long wheel base
Ti - Touring compact (hatchback)
tii - Touring international. Only used on 2002tii
M - BMW Motorsport variant
CSL - Coupe Sports Light. Only found on Motorsport variants (e.g. 3.0CSL and M3 CSL)

The A isn't an official designator but I believe some people use it here to show it as an 'automatic' as opposed to manual.

Thanks for a great answer!

[amancuso]

...

The A isn't an official designator but I believe some people use it here to show it as an 'automatic' as opposed to manual.

the A is official as it's on the door sticker. It's just like iC it's not on the boot lid but on the door sticker.. In fact my old e36 was a 328iCA.