THSCC Forums

Could someone explain to me all the BMW model/type numbers? At least the short version.
Graham

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http://www.greywinds.com

E30 = the cars like Whitney's red car. 84 thru 91 I think.

E36 = 92 thru I want to say 97. The cars like Whitney's blue car (the ex Kendra car).

E46 = current body style 3 series. The M variant is considerably more posh and heavy than the E36, while still a wonderful car.

I'm a Honda guy, so you BMW guys pls. correct the inevitable model year mistakes and whatnot...

"is" models have, i believe, a larger cam and a sportier handling package. at the same time my 97 is rated @ 190hp which while quick, it redlines in first gear earlier than my c5. second gear pulls strong however and it is fun to drive. but i have to admit i jumped in my c5 today after drivng the bmw on errands and such over the last 2 weeks and i couldn't help but give it a hellyeah.

Sorry for the misquote - I know that was John.

Sounds like you have been getting some lemons, dude! Those features have not been a problem to me, as a second and third and nth owner. Never owned a new one, never will.

Mike <-- owns 3 325s. I must have a problem! But not with my OBCs, pixels, or VANOS on any of them... Maybe I'm the Karma king or something.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

You got it right, Karl. Couple of additions

e-21 77-83 320i - mostly unloved 3 series, lives in the shadow of predecessor, 2002

e-90 2006-201? - next generation 3 series. Not as controversial as most new BMWs, but leaked photos show it isn't really a stunner either.

Mike, I hope you continue to have good fortune with you cars. I have seen one too many people buy a 4-7 year-old luxury car that they could not afford to buy new dump out of it (often at a loss) only a year later after their first round of service bills. Granted, most of these people did not perform the maintainence and repair themselves, so that might be indictative of the service rates more than quality of the car.

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Rich
http://www.v8mongrel.com/

The "is" in 92 only meant that the car was a two door and I believe that is also true of other years of the E36. You could order the 92 with a sport package but as an additional option.

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Mitch Moore

bummer. that is what no research will get ya.

Very close, not bad for a "Honda guy"!

The E36 actually started phasing out in 1999 and took 2 years to completely transition the entire 3 series over to E46 body. The M3 was the last 3 series model to transition - it was an E36 in 1999, no M3 offered in 2000, and an E46 in 2001. The SMG transmission became available in the E46 M3 in 2002.

Similarly, the E30 to E36 transition wasn't captured in a single model year either. All the hardtops did transition in 1992, but the convertibles took another year or two to move to E36 bodies.

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Keith Q.
2008 Top Gun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmX8XuZ_DCo&NR=1