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All the BMW E and F codenames explained

By Tim Pollard
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Se...mes-explained/

23 November 2009 14:45

With the launch of the new 2010 BMW 5-series due this evening at 7.00pm UK time, what better excuse for a spot of anorak indulgence? We've researched all the different BMW E and F codenames and explained them all in our handy list below. Perfect in case your specialist subject on Mastermind includes BMW codenames and you need to sort your E30 from your E90s.

Historically, each BMW has carried an E project number – standing for Entwicklung, or development. The numbers have then risen progressively up to triple digits, at which point F numbers have taken over.

So browse the BMW codename list below and scratch up on your knowledge. And ponder what could have been; there are numeric gaps which we can only imagine were stillborn projects or new cars that never saw the light of day.

BMW E codenames

BMW E3 2500/2800 saloons, 1968-1977
BMW E9 2000-2800 coupés, 1968-1974
BMW E12 1st-gen 5-series, 1975-1981
BMW E21 1st-gen 3-series, 1976-1983
BMW E23 1st-gen 7-series, 1978-1987
BMW E24 1st-gen 6-series, 1977-1989
BMW E25 Turbo concept car, 1972
BMW E26 M1 supercar, 1978-1981
BMW E28 2nd-gen 5-series, 1982-1988
BMW E30 2nd-gen 3-series, 1984-1992
BMW E31 8-series, 1989-1999
BMW E32 2nd-gen 7-series, 1986-1994
BMW E32/2 2nd-gen 7-series LWB, 1987-1994
BMW E34 3rd-gen 5-series, 1989-1995
BMW E36 3rd-gen 3-series, 1992-1999
BMW E36/5 3-series Compact, 1994-2000
BMW E36/7 Z3, M Roadster, M Coupé, 1995-2002
BMW E38 3rd-gen 7-series, 1994-2001
BMW E38/2 3rd-gen 7-series LWB, 1994-2001
BMW E38/3 3rd-gen 7-series armoured, 1998-2001
BMW E39 4th-gen 5-series, 1996-2004
BMW E46 4th-gen 3-series, 1999-2005
BMW E46/5 2nd-gen 3-series Compact, 2001-2004
BMW E52 Z8, 2000-2003
BMW E53 1st-gen X5, 2000-2006
BMW E60 5th-gen 5-series, 2004-2010
BMW E61 5th-gen 5-series Touring, 2004-2010
BMW E63 2nd-gen 6-series, 2003-
BMW E65 4th-gen 7-series, 2001-2008
BMW E66 4th-gen 7-series LWB, 2002-2008
BMW E67 4th-gen 7-series armoured, 2001-2008
BMW E68 4th-gen 7-series hydrogen
BMW E70 2nd-gen X5, 2007-
BMW E82 1st-gen 1-series, 2004-
BMW E83 1st-gen X3, 2003-
BMW E85 1st-gen Z4, 2003-2009
BMW E90 5th-gen 3-series saloon, 2005-
BMW E92 5th-gen 3-series coupé, 2005-

BMW F codenames

F01 5th-gen 7-series, 2008-
F02 5th-gen 7-series LWB, 2008-
F03 5th-gen 7-series armoured, 2008-
F10 6th-gen 5-series saloon, 2010-
F11 6th-gen 5-series Touring, 2010-
F12 3rd-gen 6-series coupé, 2011-
F13 3rd-gen 6-series convertible, 2011-
F25 2nd-gen X3, 2011-
F30 6th-gen 3-series, 2011-

With thanks to Tony Lewin's excellent book The Complete Book of BMW for research purposes