I have a bit of a gap in my knowledge when it comes to BMW so I'm just browsing their website trying to get a feel. There's literally like 100 different models on there and it's mostly sedans. You've got your models from BMW 1 through 8, then your "M" versions of all of those, then your "I" versions. Then you got your X series for SUVs, then your MX SUV series. Then there's that one "Z" model in there.

I'm confused!

In a recent post giving a breakdown of McLaren's current lineup, there was a request to make one for BMW because their naming conventions are confusing as hell. Since I'm bored at work now that I'm done for the day, I decided to try and tackle it.

EDIT: forgot to mention that this is based on their current lineup.

To start off, BMW for the most part orders its cars by an orderly odd/even numbering pattern. I'm sure most of you in this subreddit already understand that, but let's just break it down as a warm-up.

Models starting with odd numbers have 4 doors. Your average run-of-the-mill sedan/saloon and passenger car that can carry all your friends and all the groceries for your barbecue. As I'm sure you know, as the numbers go up, the cars get bigger, nicer, and more powerful. They are:

• 1 series (except the pre-2013 1-series which was a coupe and was before BMW really set their naming convention in stone. Let's forget that exists)

• 3 series

• 5 series

• 7 series

Models starting with even numbers have 2 doors. Think of them as the sporty, stylish version of the their 4-door counter-parts. Just add 1 to the model number of a 4-door and that will be the 2-door equivalent.

• 2-series

• 4-series

• 6-series

• (coming in the future) 8-series

"But u/AkagisWhiteComet", you ask, "there's so many other BMWs that start with Zs, Xs, and Is!" Do not fear, those are easy too.

• Z (i.e. Z3, Z4) - 2 door roadsters. That's it

• X (X3, X4, X5, X6) - SUVs & crossovers, also that get bigger and nicer as the number goes up

• M (Mmmmmmm high performance)

• i - eco-friendly electric/hybrids

After this was established, BMW decided, "fuck it, let's make more 4-door versions of our 2-door cars and estate versions of our 4-door cars and how about some weird SUV/saloon combination?" That's where words like Gran Turismo/Gran Coupe/Active Tourer, etc. all come in.

• Touring: just a station wagon/estate version of their 4-door cars

• Gran Turismo: weird SUV/saloon combinations (3-series Gran Turismo, 5-series Gran Turismo)

• Gran Coupe: 4-door versions of a 2-door car just so that you can keep that sleek coupe style (4-series Gran Coupe, 6-series Gran Coupe)

• Active Tourer: there's just one, a 2-series Active Tourer, which is just a 5-door hatchback. This one bastard ruins an otherwise consistent naming convention.

Keep all of these in mind because this is the only decoder you need to unlock your new knowledge. Now let's start playing with numbers.

What's the deal with a 328i, 540d, X3 M40i, etc., you ask? The numbers used to reference engine displacement (or close enough to it), but has since lost some meaning, considering the 328i is a 2.0L turbo I4, the 330i is still a turbo I4. At this point, there are 4 engine types for their models that start with numbers. All are turbos and have 4, 6, 8, or 12 cylinders. They are (courtesy of u/-tripleu):

• 20i - turbo I4, cheapest engine option for 3 series (in US)

• 28i - at first a NA I6, but then turbo I4

• 30i - replaces the 28i with a new turbo I4

• 35i - at first a twin turbo I6, but then single turbo I6

• 40i - replaces the 35i with a new single turbo I6

• 50i - twin turbo V8 (5, 6, 7 series)

• 60i - twin turbo V12 (7-series)

So, the difference between a 328i and 335i? 328i is a 3-series with a turbo I4, 335i is a 3-series with a turbo I6, that's it! Now that's settled, let's get into the numbers behind the numbers. For instance, what's the difference between a 330i and a 330e? That's simple too:

• i: gasoline-powered

• d (i.e. 330d, 540d) - diesel-powered

• e (i.e. 330e, 530e) - plug-in hybrid

• xDrive - 4 wheel drive

• L (i.e. 760Li) - long wheelbase

Let's finish this off strong. Now, this naming convention so far has worked with cars that start with numbers. But now let's say you have a X3 that is Mmmmm high performance (M) and has a single turbo I6 (40i). You can't put "M" in front like the M3 or M5 because "MX340i" doesn't flow. For these cars, BMW has moved all the other descriptors to behind the model name. In this case, the X3 M40i is born.

That's it! In summary, everything that comes after the model name is just an additional descriptor of that exact model. M760Li Individual? Just a long wheelbase 7-series with a twin turbo V12, sportier "M" package, and with a BMW Individual trim package. What's the X6 xDrive40D? Just a 6-cylinder diesel X6 with 4 wheel drive.

Hope this helped some people. I'm by no means a BMW expert but I figured that with often hearing people complaining about the confusion of BMWs lineup, this would be at least a slightly informative yet lighthearted post that helped solve some confusion.