Hello there and welcome to the BMW Car Club of America.
Understanding different model names  Discussion in 'DIY (Do-It-
Yourself)' started by cappleberry, Apr 7, 2008.      cappleberry
guest      Post Count: 1     Likes Received:0     Does any one
know of a book that explains the numbers and letters of all the
different model names?      snikwad guest      Post Count: 142
Likes Received:0     Aight check it.      You already know the
1st # is the series, or the model.     The letter "I" is an
abbreviation for the german word for injection.     The last 2
#s are in some way, an indication of engine size. Back in the
days of the e28, e30, e34 it was accurate, but when the e46 and
e38, e39 came along it started getting off track.     Also a iS,
used to mean injection sport back in the 80s and 90s, and was an
indication of a coupe model, but that's been replaced by iC for
injection, coupe, or Ci for convertible injection. I don't know
for sure if CiC was a legitimate BMW designation so I won't
speak on it.