HomeAutomotiveBMW Series Explained: The Complete Guide on Every BMW Model

BMW Series Explained: The Complete Guide on Every BMW Model

BMW is one of the most well-known luxury automakers whose mission is to produce the “ultimate driving machines” that are a joy to drive. And that is what makes its cars the aspirational vehicle for many. Besides the staple 3 Series and 5 Series sedans that we all know, not many are familiar with the other models in BMW’s lineup. To help you learn more about the brand’s various models, here’s a detailed list explaining all the BMW Series.

BMW stands for Bavarian Motor Works or Bayerische Motoren Werke in German. It was founded in Munich in 1916 producing airplane engines during World War One. It started to produce its first cars in 1928 and became a brand synonymous with luxurious, fast, and engaging cars after it built the iconic BMW 2002, followed by the 3 Series in the 1980s.

How BMW Cars are Named

Series Number Meaning

BMW’s naming convention utilizes an alphanumeric system organized into numbered series from 1 to 8, with no hyphens in the name. Even numbers are typically given to sportier coupe models. For example, a BMW 4 Series would be a coupe model that’s similar in size to a 3 Series, while a 5 Series is a jump in segment compared to the 3 and 4 Series. 

X models are SUVs, and Z models are roadsters. Additionally, models starting with a lowercase ‘i’ are fully-electric. Some models may also include the suffixes sDrive (rear two-wheel-drive/RWD) or xDrive (all-wheel-drive/AWD), but not all RWD BMWs are marked with an sDrive badge.

Second Half Model Number Meaning

The second set of numbers in a model name after the Series number (eg. the “30” in “330i”) indicates the engine power, which used to correspond to engine displacement. Nowadays, the number denotes the horsepower output of the car, with a larger number denoting a higher horsepower.

The final letter in the model name indicates the type of engine in the car. Typically, most cars end in “i”, indicating petrol fuel injection. However, there are also “e” models for electrified hybrids, and in certain markets, “d” models for diesel cars.

To illustrate, the model name 745e denotes a 7 Series plug-in hybrid sedan with a petrol engine producing between 300 and 350 kW or between 407 and 475 PS of power.

What are BMW “M” Cars?

M cars such as the BMW M3 and M5 are designed by BMW’s M performance division. These cars have significant performance upgrades making them suitable for the track. Cars like the M340i xDrive are not M cars and typically denote models with slightly more power, and sportier styling, brakes, and suspension tuning.

Other BMW Terms to Know

To really understand BMW cars, here are terms you should know.

  • Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV): BMW’s version of SUVs
  • Gran Coupe: A four-door sedan shaped like a coupe, with a sloping roofline
  • Gran Turismo: A four-door fastback or hatchback
  • Hofmeister Kink: A signature design feature on BMW cars where the rearmost pillar (the passenger window) has a kink that is angled forward at the lower rear corner.
  • Bimmer: A nickname for BMW cars, colloquially given by BMW fans and the general public
  • Competition: A BMW M model with even more sporty designs
  • Coupe Sport Leichtbau (CSL): It means coupe sport lightweight in German, and is used on the sportiest of BMW M cars featuring optimized lightweight technology
  • sDrive: Two-wheel-drive version
  • xDrive: All-wheel-drive version
  • L: Models with this designation have a longer wheelbase for extra comfort for the rear passengers. An example is the 330Li.

The BMW Series Guide

BMW 1 Series

BMW 1 Series M135i

The BMW 1 Series is available as a compact four-door hatchback or two-door coupe, though it was only offered as a hatchback in Malaysia. It combines impressive agility with an efficient, high-performance engine in a small package. First introduced in 2004, the 1 Series is now only available in Malaysia as the M135i xDrive with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 306 PS of power, impressive for a compact hatch.

BMW 2 Series

BMW 2 Series

The BMW 2 Series consists of the two-door 2 Series Coupe and the four-door Gran Coupe, though Malaysia currently only gets the four-door version with the two-door version available as the M2. This Series is the brand’s compact, sporty coupe/sedan line that aims to be an entry point for BMW buyers. In Malaysia, the 218i M Sport is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine while the M2 has a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine.

  • Body styles: Coupe and Gran Coupe
  • Models: 218i M Sport, M2 Coupe
  • Price: From RM235,800

BMW 3 Series

BMW 3 Series

The BMW 3 Series is easily BMW’s best-selling vehicle of all time. It was introduced in 1976 and is BMW’s midsize sedan that is regarded to offer the perfect balance between luxury, space, and sportiness in the brand’s lineup. It’s available with two engines – a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine and a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine. The M340i xDrive and M3 Competition have the turbocharged 3.0-liter engine while the 330e is a plug-in hybrid version with the 2.0-liter engine. 

  • Body styles: Sedan
  • Models: 320i, 330i, 330e, 330Li, M340i xDrive, M3 Competition, 318i
  • Price: From RM257,800

BMW 4 Series

BMW 4 Series

The BMW 4 Series is a sporty coupe based on the 3 Series. Compared to the 3 Series, it has a wider rear axle track and lower center of gravity. Outside of Malaysia, it’s also available as a convertible and four-door Gran Coupe. The 430i Coupe M Sport has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while the M4 Competition has a turbocharged six-cylinder engine. There are also two full-electric options in the i4 eDrive40 M Sport and the i4 M50. Being a coupe, the 4 Series is focused more on performance and handling.

  • Body styles: Coupe, Gran Coupe, Convertible
  • Models: 430i Coupe M Sport, i4 eDrive40 M Sport, i4 M50
  • Price: From RM437,800

BMW 5 Series

BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 Series is a large executive sedan that focuses on providing a luxurious, comfortable ride without sacrificing the sportiness one would expect from a BMW. It’s larger than a 3 Series and offers significantly more space for all occupants. The 5 Series is available with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the non-M variants while the M models get a huge turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine. Additionally, you can get a full-electric i5 eDrive40.

  • Body styles: Sedan
  • Models: 530i M Sport, 530e M Sport, M5, M5 Competition, i5 eDrive40
  • Price: From RM360,800

BMW 6 Series

BMW 6 Series

The BMW 6 Series is a four-door fastback with a sloping coupe-like roof and a rear hatch instead of the regular boot opening you find in the 5 Series. The taller rear roofline means it’s more spacious than a 5 Series sedan, especially for rear passengers. In Malaysia, it’s only available with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 258 PS of power.

  • Body styles: Fastback
  • Models: 630i GT
  • Price: From RM442,800

BMW 7 Series

BMW 7 Series

The 7 Series is BMW’s flagship full-sized luxury sedan. It’s packed with the latest technology you’d expect from BMW including a 31.3-inch theater screen in the rear passenger space. It’s offered as a plug-in hybrid version with a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine, and a full-electric version. Both powertrains are AWD, ensuring this large, heavy sedan has confidence-inspiring maneuverability.

  • Body styles: Sedan
  • Models: 750e xDrive Pure Excellence, 750e xDrive M Sport, i7 xDrive60 M Sport
  • Price: From 642,800

BMW 8 Series

BMW 8 Series

The 8 Series is BMW’s luxury grand touring coupe introduced in the late 80s to replace the 6 Series. This coupe combines advanced technology with maximum performance and driving dynamics to offer a sporty, precise driving experience. It’s available in Coupe, Gran Coupe, and Cabriolet or convertible body styles, though Malaysia only gets the Coupe version. Being a sporty grand tourer, the 8 Series gets a turbocharged 4.4-liter eight-cylinder petrol engine with AWD.

  • Body styles: Coupe, Gran Coupe, Cabriolet
  • Models: M850i xDrive Coupe
  • Price: From RM1,102,800

BMW Z4

BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 is a sporty roadster that focuses on lightweight, sporty driving performance. The Z in the name stands for “zukunft”, or future in German. While it’s available with the turbocharged 3.0-liter engine overseas, the Malaysian market only gets the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder version which produces 258 PS of power, plenty for a small car like this.

  • Body styles: Roadster convertible
  • Models: Z4 sDrive 30i
  • Price: From RM508,800

BMW X1

BMW iX1

The X1 is BMW’s entry-level and smallest crossover or SAV (in BMW lingo) in its lineup. The X1 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with AWD, although it’s not offered in Malaysia. However, we do get the full-electric iX1 xDrive30 which has a range of 440 km in the WLTP (Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure) test cycle.

  • Body styles: SUV
  • Models: iX1 xDrive30
  • Price: From RM285,800

BMW X2

BMW X2

The X2 is the sportier version of the X1. It has a sporty coupe-like body shape, is lower to the ground, and has less space. However, it’s not available in Malaysia in any version.

  • Body styles: SUV
  • Models: X2 sDrive28i, X2 xDrive28i
  • Price: NA

BMW X3

BMW X3

The X3 is BMW’s compact SAV that was first introduced in 2003 as an alternative to the larger X5. The X3 is one of BMW’s best-selling SAVs since it offers a good balance of spaciousness, and agility without being too big like the brand’s other SAVs. In Malaysia, it is sold as a plug-in hybrid with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 184 PS with AWD.

  • Body styles: SUV
  • Models: X3 xDrive30e M Sport
  • Price: From RM367,800

BMW X4

BMW X4

The BMW X4 is a sportier, coupe-shaped version of the X3. It’s more stylish and engaging to drive than the X3, although it does sacrifice a bit of space in the process. It’s only available with a non-hybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter engine which also means it produces more horsepower (245 PS) than the X3.

  • Body styles: SUV
  • Models: X4 xDrive30i
  • Price: From RM417,800

BMW X5

BMW X5

The BMW X5 is a midsize SAV and also BMW’s first SUV, introduced in 1999. Unlike other luxury SUVs, it was ahead of its time as it was the first to use a unibody construction like what we find in modern SUVs. Only one variant is offered in Malaysia which is the X5 xDrive45e plug-in hybrid with a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine.

  • Body styles: SUV
  • Models: X5 xDrive45e
  • Price: From RM491,800

BMW X6

BMW X6

The X6 is the coupe version of the X5 which makes it sportier and more agile. It’s also fully decked out with M Sport components including Adaptive M suspension and sport seats for the driver and front passenger. Not to mention, the turbocharged 3.0-liter engine produces a whopping 340 PS of power.

  • Body styles: SUV
  • Models: X6 xDrive40i
  • Price: From RM748,800

BMW X7

BMW X7

The X7 is BMW’s largest SAV built to provide the best in power and luxurious comfort. It has three rows for a total of six seats and automatic five-zone air conditioning. Like the X6, it’s powered by a 3.0-liter turbo mill.

  • Body styles: SUV
  • Models: X7 xDrive40i
  • Price: From RM724,800

BMW XM

BMW XM

The XM is BMW’s flagship plug-in hybrid SAV. It’s a super SUV and only the second BMW fully designed by the M division. The first was the M1 in the 70s. The XM boasts the M Hybrid powertrain which is the first electrified M high-performance drive. BMW pulled out all the stops for this SUV by giving it a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine, Adaptive M suspension Professional, M xDrive (M sport-oriented AWD system), and M Sport differential. It has a total output of 653 PS, though you can opt for the XM Label Red for even more power at 748 PS.

  • Body styles: SUV
  • Models: XM, XM Label Red
  • Price: From RM1,398,800

BMW iX

BMW iX

The iX is the first full-electric midsize crossover from BMW. Being midsized, it’s similar to the X5, only it runs purely on electricity instead. Its large 111.5 kWh battery, situated low in the floor, gives the iX excellent handling, akin to a sedan instead of an SUV. It’s available in two versions with the iX xDrive40 having a range of up to 425 km and the iX xDrive50 being able to go up to 630 km.

  • Body styles: SUV
  • Models: iX xDrive40, iX xDrive50
  • Price: From RM403,800

With the massive range of BMW vehicles available, you can surely find the right one for you. If you’re looking for a pre-owned BMW or any other vehicle, check out CARSOME. All CARSOME Certified cars have gone through a stringent 175-point inspection and professional refurbishment for your safety and comfort.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Very detailed but a crisp explaination… I liked it very much and got my doubts cleared. Hope that you make more of such blogs with such simple and clear explaination

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