What do the Numbers and letters signify

[CTD EXP]

Hello all,
I am new here at these Forums. I have been into cars for a long time and have not strayed far from the American cars. I know that they numbers and letters signify something, I am just not sure what. I know that a 330 is a 3 series with a 3.0 motor. but what about the Ti and CI and IC I thought the C stood for convertiable but now that I am looking around that is not always the case. I have search the forums but could not find anything to solve my problem. Thanks for all the help.

Matt Tharp
Atlanta GA
Not a owner Yet!!

[buttuh]

Welcome to bf.c Matt. The letters change each generation and it gets really confusing for newbies.

For example, the early version of the 3 series (E30 '84-'91) the "s" in "is" used to mean sport. The next generation of the 3 series (E36 '92-'98) has the "is" as coupe and "i" as sedan and "ic" as convertible. The current generation of the 3 series (E46) has the "i" as sedan, "ic" as coupe. The "ti" that you have mentioned belongs to the E36 model line, specifically the hatchback. That car did not make it into the E46 line up and no longer available in the states.

There are a lot more to it but I'm just giving you a classic example.

Evan

[volfman]

About the numbering... you can usually tell what kind of motor it s from the numbering, but not always. For instance a 323 is not a 2.3 litre, its actually a 2.5 litre straight 6. As well as a 540 not being a 4.0, its a 4.4 litre.

Kinda confusing...

[SilverBeam]

In the ti the T stands for touring, this is so in the 2002tii even though the 2002 wasn't a hatch back. (Anyone remember what the second i means? Injection and...?)

The I stands for fuel injection, and sort of just became a standard element in the bimmer badge over time.

The L [740il] stands for limousine, and is by far my favorite of the bimmer letters.

What does the CSI stand for? Coupe sport injection? You sort of trip over that, what else could it be?

[NLR]

What does "eta" stand for? I have the BMW enthusiast's companion book back home that has all the designations, but I can't remember what this one stood for. All I know is that they are pretty much the underpowered Bimmers.

[EstorilBlauM3]

Here is some info:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/ftp/bmw/FAQ.1

[Pinecone]

In the 2002tii, it was 2002 Touring Improved, Injected (Fuel).

After that the i meant injected, but it is somewhat redundant since BMW hasn't made a carbureted car since the 2002. :)

eta stood for the low reving, high economy engines of the 80's E30 line. The 325e was actually 2.7L. There was the 325e, 325es (sport) and later the plain 325 once the i versions came back.

In general:

X or x = all wheel drive
s = Sport package
C or c = depending on chassis series, Coupe or convertible
M = VERY sporty model (had to through that one in)

[dieselm3]

Originally posted by NLR
What does "eta" stand for? I have the BMW enthusiast's companion book back home that has all the designations, but I can't remember what this one stood for. All I know is that they are pretty much the underpowered Bimmers.

eta is greek for efficient, bmw came out with this designation when there were growing concerns over oil prices / supply. the eta engines i think had less agressive cam shafts and chips that increased fuel consumption.

[maisenhe]

Originally posted by little740girl
In the ti the T stands for touring, this is so in the 2002tii even though the 2002 wasn't a hatch back. (Anyone remember what the second i means? Injection and...?)

The I stands for fuel injection, and sort of just became a standard element in the bimmer badge over time.

The L [740il] stands for limousine, and is by far my favorite of the bimmer letters.

What does the CSI stand for? Coupe sport injection? You sort of trip over that, what else could it be?
Well you are right on most points. I must point out that the L stands for Long wheel base. In germany any car with 4 doors is called a limousine.

[SilverBeam]

I read somewhere that it stood for limousine. Either one would work, since it is the longer version of the car.

[volfman]

Originally posted by Pinecone
In the 2002tii, it was 2002 Touring Improved, Injected (Fuel).

After that the i meant injected, but it is somewhat redundant since BMW hasn't made a carbureted car since the 2002. :)

eta stood for the low reving, high economy engines of the 80's E30 line. The 325e was actually 2.7L. There was the 325e, 325es (sport) and later the plain 325 once the i versions came back.

In general:

X or x = all wheel drive
s = Sport package
C or c = depending on chassis series, Coupe or convertible
M = VERY sporty model (had to through that one in)

You are incorrect. s does NOT stand for sports package. an s on a E36 means that it is a coupe. For Example, 328i = 4 door, 328is = 2 door.

[PBalla]

my 325 is actually 2.7 liters