Thoughts from the Curb

Jan 22, 2009 - The Rant: BMW Number Names Mean Jack-Squat

Once upon a time you could tell a BMW or Mercedes' engine size by its name. People used to marvel when I'd tell them those alphanumeric (or just numeric) names weren't just four randomly assigned digits. The first letter/number indicates the Class/Series and the subsequent numbers indicate engine displacement. A C350 has a 3.5-liter V6 and a BMW 328i had a 2.8-liter inline-6 with fuel injection (hence the i even though all have had it for more than 20 years).

While Mercedes has mostly stuck with this policy it began sticking with during the 1990s (although there's the rare 63 AMG's that have a 6.2-liter engine), BMW has thrown their naming convention into the dumpster. While there were plenty of infractions over time, by my estimation, things started to go down hill with the Z3. It introduced a 2.5-liter six-cylinder to replace the weedy original four-banger. It was called the Z3 2.3i to create a bigger number gap between the bigger 2.8i. The 2.3i changed its name to 2.5i when the bigger engine grew to 3.0 liters with a name to match.

At the same time, the 545i actually featured a 4.4-liter V8, but like AMG, at least they were in the ballpark. But the full Chinua Achebe was reached with the introduction of the sweet turbocharged six-cylinder for the 3 Series. It was a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six. The base engine was a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six. Neither are named 330i, though, which is given to a Europe-only 3 Series with a different 3.0-liter six. Instead, we got the 328i and 335i. And the 128i, 135i, 528i, 535i, etc. Inexplicably, the turbocharged X5s get the moniker xDrive35i even though the other 3.0-liters aren't offered here. I suppose having a 330i and a 330t could be confusing, but now we have the 335i and the diesel 335d. Are you crosseyed yet?

And then there's the 2010 BMW 7 Series. The outgoing model was dubbed the 750i even though it had a 4.8-liter V8. The new car retains the 750i name, but now features a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8. I can see why BMW wouldn't want the 7's number to go down from a marketing stand point, but it's still the final nail in BMW's naming coffin. They now mean absolutely nothing and it makes playing "Know Your BMW Engine Displacements" a real bitch.

-James Riswick

9:46 am | Categories: the rant Permalink | Alert Administrator

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