BMW Model Identification
BMW uses two different methods of identifying its products
- External Designations are for customers to identify BMW products. These are marketing designations commonly referred to as trunk badges.
- Internal Designations are used by BMW and center personnel to identify a particular production version.
Vehicle Identification Numbers
Vehicle Identification Numbers are referred to as the VIN. BMW utilizes a VIN with a 17 character structure. The characters are grouped to include multiple information. (Scheme 112)
Scheme 112
Paint Code Identification
When ordering painted parts it is necessary to obtain the vehicle paint code. The paint code consists of a three digit number printed on the color identification tag. All color identification tags are located in the engine compartment.
Scheme 113
Engine Identification
BMW engines are identified by a combined alpha-numeric code.
- M - for standard production engines
- S - for Motorsport engines (Motorsport is a separate special racing division of BMW)
After the letter there are two digits that identify the engine. Table below lists engines by number of cylinders.
| 4 Cylinder | M10: 1.8 & 2.0L 2 Valve Inline | M42: 1.8L 4 Valve Inline (2) from 92 | M44: 1.9L 4 Valve Inline (2) | S14: 2.3L 4 Valve Inline | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Cylinder | M20: 2.5 & 2.7L 2 Valve Inline | M21: 2.4 2 Valve Inline Diesel | M30: 2.8, 3.0, 3.2 3.4, & 3.5L 2 Valve Inline Inline | M50: 2.5L 4 Valve Inline | M50 (3) : 2.5L 4 Valve Inline (1) | M52: 2.5 & 2.8L 4 Valve Inline (1) |
| M52 (3) : 2.5 & 2.8L 4 Valve Inline (1) | M54: 2.5 & 3.0L 4 Valve Inline (1) | S38: 3.5 & 3.6L 4 Valve Inline | S50: 3.0L 4 Valve Inline (1) | S52: 3.2L 4 Valve Inline (1) | S54: 3.2L 4 Valve Inline (1) | |
| 8 Cylinder | M60: 3.0 & 4.0L 4 Valve V config. | M62: 4.4L 4 Valve V config. | M62 (3) : 4.4L 4 Valve V config. (1) | S62: 5.0L 4 Valve V config. (1) | ||
| 12 Cylinder | M70: 5.0L 2 Valve V config. | M73: 5.4L 2 Valve V config. | M73 (3) : 5.4L 2 Valve V config. | S70: 5.6L 2 Valve V config. | ||
| (1) Variable Valve Timing. All engines since 1999 except the M73 (3) employ variable valve timing. (2) Variable Intake Runner Length and Resonance Charging System. (3) Technicaly Updated. | ||||||
| (1) | Variable Valve Timing. All engines since 1999 except the M73 (3) employ variable valve timing. |
| (2) | Variable Intake Runner Length and Resonance Charging System. |
| (3) | Technicaly Updated. |
ENGINE IDENTIFICATION
Scheme 114
Scheme 115
Scheme 116
Scheme 117
Scheme 118
The older engines have the specification plate located as follows: (see ENGINE SPECIFICATION )
| Engine | Location of Specification Plate |
|---|---|
| M10 | Upper edge of starter flange |
| M20 | Lower left side of block |
| M30 | Upper edge of starter flange |
| S14-S38 | Upper edge of starter flange |
ENGINE SPECIFICATION
Transmission Identification
BMW uses three different transmission suppliers.
- Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen: A German supplier of BMW transmissions. Commonly referred to as ZF. ZF manufactures both manual and automatic transmissions.
- Getrag: A German supplier of BMW manual transmissions.
- Hydramatic: A French supplier of BMW automatic transmissions. Hydramatic is a manufacturing division of General Motors Powertrain.
The BMW identification code system is the method used for parts ordering, information research and identification within BMW technical organization.
The breakdown of the BMW transmission identification code is as follows
Scheme 119
Each manufacturer has it's own internal identification for its products. For example: the A5S 360R is the GM 5L40E, and the A5S 325Z is the ZF 5HP 19.
Scheme 120
BMW Abbreviations and Acronyms
| A | Processed Vehicle Speed |
|---|---|
| AB | Airbag |
| ABS | Anti-lock Braking System |
| ADS | Engine Intake Air Control |
| ADV | W/wiper Pressure Control |
| AGS | Adaptive Transmission Control |
| AIC | Automatic Interval Control (rain sensor) |
| ASC | All Season Traction |
| ASC+T | ASC+Traction |
| AST | Slip Control (Marketing term) |
| AUC | Automatic Air Recirculation |
| B | Benzene (gasoline) |
| BC | Board Computer |
| BLS | Brake Light Switch |
| BMBT | Board Monitor |
| BS | Block Diagram |
| BST | Battery Safety Terminal |
| CBC | Corner Braking Control |
| Can-bus | Controller Area Network(bus) |
| CCM | Check Control Module |
| CVM | Convertible Top Module |
| D-Bus | Diagnosis Bus (same as TXD) |
| DBC | Dynamic Brake Control |
| DCS | Dealer Communication System |
| DDE | Digital Diesel Electronics |
| DIN | German Industrial Standards |
| DIS | Diagnosis and Information System |
| DISA | Differential Air Intake Control |
| DK | Throttle Housing |
| DKI | Throttle Position |
| DME | Digital Motor Electronics |
| DM-TL | Diag. Module Tank Leakage |
| DSC | Dynamic Stability Control |
| DSP | Digital Sound Processing |
| DTC | Diagnostic Trouble Code |
| DWA | Theft Deterrent System |
| DWS | Tire Pressure Warning System |
| EBV | Electronic Brake Proportioning |
| E-KAT | Electrically Heated Catalytic Converter |
| ECM | Engine control module (SAE) |
| EDC | Electronic Dampening Control |
| EDK | Electronic Throttle Valve |
| EGS | Electronic Transmission Control |
| EH | Electronic Hydraulic |
| EHC | Electronic Height Control |
| EKM | Electronic Body Module |
| EKP | Electronic Fuel Pump |
| ELV | Electronic Steering Lock |
| EM | Electro-Mechanical |
| EML | Electronic Motor Load Regulation |
| EO | Component Location |
| EPC | Electronic Parts Catalog |
| ETM | Elec. Troubleshooting Manual |
| EWS | Electronic Driveaway Protection |
| FB | Function Description |
| FBZV | Radio Frequency Locking System |
| FRU | Flat Rate Unit |
| GAL | Speed Dependent Volume |
| GM | General Module |
| GMR | Yaw Moment Control |
| GRII | Cruise Control |
| GPS | Global Positioning System |
| HDC | Hill Decent Control |
| HFM | Hot Film Air Mass Meter |
| IB | Interior lighting Control Signal |
| I-Bus | Information Bus |
| IHKA | Automatic Heating and A/C |
| IHKR | Regulated Heating and A/C |
| IHKS | Standard Heating and A/C |
| IKE | Instrument Cluster Electronics |
| IR | Infrared |
| ISN | Individual Serial Number |
| KAT | Catalytic Converter |
| KATON | Converter Heating (signal) |
| K-Bus | Body Bus |
| KL | Terminal Designation |
| KO | Compressor "ON" Signal |
| KOMBI | Instrument Cluster |
| KOREL | Compressor Relay Signal |
| KW | Crankshaft |
| LCM | Lamp Check Module |
| LDP | Leak Diagnosis Pump |
| LEV | Low Emissions Vehicle |
| LKM | Lamp Control Module |
| LL | Closed Throttle |
| LRA | Vertical Headlight Aiming |
| LSM | Steering Column Memory |
| LSZ | Lamp Switching Center |
| LVA | Air Supply System |
| LWR | Vertical Headlight Aiming |
| LWS 5 | Steering Angle Sensor |
| MBC | Maximum Brake Control |
| MDK | Motororized Throttle Valve |
| MFL | Multi-Function Steering Wheel |
| MFC | Multi-Function Controller |
| MID | Multi-Information Display |
| MoDiC | Mobile Diagnostic Computer |
| MRS | Multiple Restraint System |
| MSR | Engine Drag Torque Reduction |
| OBC | On-Board Computer |
| OBD | On-Board Diagnosis (SAE) |
| PB | Pin Assignments |
| P-Bus | Periphery Bus |
| PDC | Park Distance Control |
| PWG | Pedal Position Sensor |
| RDC | Tire Pressure Control |
| RDW | Tire Pressure Warning |
| RM | Relay Module |
| RPS | Rollover Protection System |
| RXD | Wake-up Diagnosis Line |
| RZV | Direct Stationary Ignition |
| SB | Fuse Assignments |
| SBE | Seat Occupancy Detector |
| SCA | Soft Close Actuator |
| SG | Control Unit |
| SGS | Seat Integrated Belt System |
| SHD | Sunroof Module |
| Sll | Service Interval Indicator |
| SM | Seat Module |
| SP | Schematic |
| ST | Connector Views |
| SZM | Central Switch Center Module |
| TD | Engine Speed |
| Ti | Injector on time |
| TL | Part Throttle |
| TLEV | Transitional Low Emission Vehicle |
| TRS | Battery Isolation Switch |
| TSH | Door Lock Heating |
| TU | Technical Update |
| TXD | Transmitting Diagnosis Line |
| VANOS | Variable Camshaft Timing |
| VL | Full load - wide open throttle |
| WK | Converter Lock-up Clutch |
| ZAE | Central Airbag Electronics |
| ZKE | Central Body Electronics |
| ZV | Central Locking System |
| ZVM | Central Locking Module |
| ZWD | Idle Control Valve |
BMW ABBREVIATION