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Thread: Nomenclature

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
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    Eatonton Ga. 31024
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    2002 z3 Roadster

    Nomenclature

    I did not grow up with BMWs. I am reading posts here and learning lots. I searched, but could not find a list that explains the various abbreviations and engine code you guys use so easily.
    Is there a list...i need a decoder ring!

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    SF Bay Area, CA
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    I know I've typed this before, but don't know where it is.

    Chassis: E36/7 (roadster), and E36/8 (coupe). It's a derivative of the E36 ('92-'99 3-series).

    Engines (just US Z3):
    M44B19 - 1.9L 4-cyl ('96-'98)
    M52B28 - 2.8L 6-cyl ('97-'98)
    M52tuB25 - "2.3" (really 2.5L) 6-cyl ('99-'00)
    M52tuB28 - 2.8L 6-cyl ('99-'00)
    M54B25 - 2.5L 6-cyl ('01-'02)
    M54B30 - 3.0L 6-cyl ('01-'02)
    S52B32 - 3.2L 6-cyl ('98-'00 M)
    S54B32 - 3.2L 6-cyl ('01-'02 M)

    Then there are all sorts of other acronyms for suspension parts and engine parts. I'll start with some that come to mind -- feel free to add to the list, everyone.

    LCAB: (front) Lower Control Arm Bushing
    RSM: Rear Shock Mount (top of rear shocks)
    SAP: Secondary Air Pump
    I like the unicorns.
    '99 Z3 Coupe - Jet Black/Black (1-of-114)
    '99 M Coupe - Estoril Blue/Black (1-of-82)
    '03 540iT - Sterling Gray/Black (1-of-24)
    '16 Z4 sDrive35i - Estoril Blue/Walnut (1-of-8)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Kent, Ohio
    Posts
    4,431
    My Cars
    1998 M Roadster
    RTAB: Rear Trailing Arm Bushing
    Lollypop: Front Lower Control Arm Bushing Mount
    Giubo: Rubber Drive Shaft Coupler (to transmission)
    LSB: Laguna Seca Blue

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    5,773
    My Cars
    99 M3

    Nomenclature

    FLCA: Forward Lower Control Arm or ‘Wishbone’
    RTA: Rear Trailing Arm
    ‘Hat’ or ‘Spring Hat’: Upper Spring Plate -Front
    NVH: Noise, Vibration, Harshness



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    Last edited by bluptgm3; 01-18-2018 at 11:47 AM.

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Seattle
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    99 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by JoshS View Post
    I know I've typed this before, but don't know where it is.

    Chassis: E36/7 (roadster), and E36/8 (coupe). It's a derivative of the E36 ('92-'99 3-series).
    …of which there is a Sedan, Coupe, Convertible, and Hatch in addition to the previously mentioned Z3 Coupé and Roady (Roadster.)



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  6. #6
    Join Date
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    E36/7 E36/8x2 E46 F25
    There are three sets of acronyms in play.

    BMW specific. Very precise, but sometimes don't make sense because they are German based. DME = engine computer

    SAE. Again, specific and universal. This is what your scanner will show, and your mechanic will use. Rarely used in the forum

    Forumspeak. This is a bunch of random letters strewn together based on what the poster thinks the part is called at the time. Ambiguous, vague, and sometimes contradictory.


    /.randy

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    2x 1997 BMW Z3 2.8
    Some common forumspeaks:
    NLA - no longer available
    OP - original post (or poster)
    AFAIK - as far as I know
    IMHO - in my humble opinion
    PITA - pain in the ass
    LOL - laughing out loud
    ROFL - rolling on the floor laughing

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Mesa, Arizona
    Posts
    976
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    2000 Z3 M-Roadster
    TU = Tango Uniform = broken
    Tony
    "You can't sign away negligence."

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Tallahassee
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    1,052
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster.

    Nomenclature

    Beemer, We always used this back in the UK.
    Seems to put US owners into some sort of fit.

    Bimmer, As used by Americans.




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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
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    Seattle
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    99 M3

    Nomenclature

    Quote Originally Posted by magnetchief View Post
    Beemer, We always used this back in the UK.
    Seems to put US owners into some sort of fit.

    Bimmer, As used by Americans.

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Beemer is for the USA two wheel crowd


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    Last edited by bluptgm3; 01-18-2018 at 01:05 PM.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Tallahassee
    Posts
    1,052
    My Cars
    1998 Z3 M Roadster.
    Quote Originally Posted by bluptgm3 View Post
    Beemer is for the two wheel crowd


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    I have heard this,

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    3,444
    My Cars
    1999 Z3M, 1999 2.8 Coupe
    RSFB: Rear Sub Frame Bushings
    FI: Forced Induction
    SC or S/C: Supercharged
    SS: Stainless Steel or for some reason, Supersprint (which is one word)
    VANOS: Variable Nockenwellen Steuerung, similar to variable valve timing (VVT) on "other" cars
    DISA: Differenzierte Sauganlage, or a Differentiated Intake, Variable Intake, etc.
    Style 40: OEM BMW wheel type on M Roadster and M Coupe
    Style xx: many other BMW wheel options
    TU: Technical Update, i.e. M52TUB28
    DIY: Do It Yourself, not to be confused with DY (Dakar Yellow) or PY (Phoenix Yellow)
    MR or Z3M: M Roadster
    MC or Z3MC: M Coupe

    RF: Randy Forbes
    Last edited by s8ilver; 01-18-2018 at 04:37 PM.
    Nathan in Denver

    1999 M Roadster, VFE V3 S/C, Randy Forbes Reinforced, Hardtop, H&R/Bilstein, Apex PS-7, Supersprint
    1999 Z3 2.8 Coupe, Headers, 3.46, Manual Swap, H&R/Koni, M Geometry/Brakes, M54B30 Manifold, Style 42

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    36 Cylinders
    Quote Originally Posted by s8ilver View Post

    RF: Randy Forbes
    That was mighty witty.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
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    2x 1997 BMW Z3 2.8
    W.W.R.D. - what would Randy do

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Boiling Springs, PA
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    5,883
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    '02 Z3 3.0i 5 speed
    And then there are the transmission types as well.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    Odessa, TX
    Posts
    880
    My Cars
    2000 BMW Z3 2.8 Roadster
    ZKE body control module
    DSC dynamic stability control
    BMW a manufacturer of fine garbage fires
    EVAP Evaporative emissions system
    Cat catalytic converter

    Transmission types? I know 2.
    4L30E a meh French-manufactured GM 4 speed transmission based on whatever the TH180 would be like with an extra speed literally bolted to the front of the case
    5L40E the successor to the 4L30E; it's French as well
    Last edited by LannVouivre; 01-21-2018 at 12:52 AM.

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