Numbering system F10?

[Wdh777]

Could someone explain the number system for the M cars. I understand I think the letter designates each generation so last one was E, current is F and next will be G. But what does the 10 stand for in F10 and why is the M3 a F80 vs a 10? So what number will go along with the next G series M5 and why? Thanks

[Ex_Stig]

Originally Posted by Wdh777

Could someone explain the number system for the M cars. I understand I think the letter designates each generation so last one was E, current is F and next will be G. But what does the 10 stand for in F10 and why is the M3 a F80 vs a 10? So what number will go along with the next G series M5 and why? Thanks

Each model car is given a designation during the design phase. While the current 5 series has an F10 designation that does not mean that the next 5 series will be a G. In between the model designations that are used their are plenty of versions that didn't make it to production.

[Boss330]

Traditionally the BMW's all had a E and then the internal model code.

E means "Entwicklung" or development in English.

Then they added a 2 digit number that tells what model the car is. E30 is a 3-series, E34 was a 5-series, E36 was 3-series, E39 was 5-series, E46 was 3-series and then they changed a bit and the E60 was the 5-series sedan, the E61 the wagon. The E90 the sedan 3-series, E91 the wagon, E92 the coupe and E93 the cab. So in the newer generations you sometimes see the model referred to as a E9x 3-series or E6x 5-series, meaning that all models of that generation 3- or 5-series is counted in.

The current 5-series has the F10 designation for sedan and F11 for wagon.

Basically they ran out of numbers to use behind the E, so they changed it to F and use a 2-digit number to identify what model it is.

[Ex_Stig]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Traditionally the BMW's all had a E and then the internal model code.

E means "Entwicklung" or development in English.

Then they added a 2 digit number that tells what model the car is. E30 is a 3-series, E34 was a 5-series, E36 was 3-series, E39 was 5-series, E46 was 3-series and then they changed a bit and the E60 was the 5-series sedan, the E61 the wagon. The E90 the sedan 3-series, E91 the wagon, E92 the coupe and E93 the cab. So in the newer generations you sometimes see the model referred to as a E9x 3-series or E6x 5-series, meaning that all models of that generation 3- or 5-series is counted in.

The current 5-series has the F10 designation for sedan and F11 for wagon.

Basically they ran out of numbers to use behind the E, so they changed it to F and use a 2-digit number to identify what model it is.

They were also assigned in order of when they were designed. Hence why the 8 series is an E31 and didn't hit the market until after the E36. Because it was still being designed and developed.

[stealth.pilot]

Also worth nothing that M cars didn't have different chassis designations. So M5 is a F10 chassis and 528i is also a F10 chassis.

With the latest ones they change d this. So current 335i is a F30 but current M3 is F80. So M cars will have unique chassis number going forward.

[E90Fleet]

And BMW is about to switch to G designations with the new models coming out.

[Wdh777]

Very helpful. So folks are speculating the next generation will be a G but I guess no idea about the number?