BMW X3 M40i, that's lot of words... but what is it?

dinan5m3 · 03-02-2019, 02:05 PM

Just trying to be (little) informed.

What is 40 in X3 M40i, mean?

I tried looking it up, the origin, and historical POV, and coming up empty.

For instance, M#, where # is [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,...], i get it, as full-on M badge in that respective # series. Simpler days, until BMW start really cranking out in their sausage factory.

Where does the 40 come from, what it is.

Similarly, 5 series M550i, what does 550 in M550i referring to? The engine is 4.4 L V8 twin-turbo. Where does the 550 come from?

Thanks much.

nogren · 03-02-2019, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinan5m3

Just trying to be (little) informed.

What is 40 in X3 M40i, mean?

I tried looking it up, the origin, and historical POV, and coming up empty.

For instance, M#, where # is [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,...], i get it, as full-on M badge in that respective # series. Simpler days, until BMW start really cranking out in their sausage factory.

Where does the 40 come from, what it is.

Similarly, 5 series M550i, what does 550 in M550i referring to? The engine is 4.4 L V8 twin-turbo. Where does the 550 come from?

Thanks much.

40: It should feel like an old 4.0L car. Equivalents of power when comparing through the range of models.

Prefixed with M: M performance; not full M, but half way. To meet Audi S cars, and the lower Amg trims.

i: Petrol car with injection (?)

Replicant · 03-02-2019, 02:21 PM

The number used to represent the displacement of the motor. For instance a BMW 330i was a 3.0 liter, etc. Now it just notes where they are in the trim level of the lineup, which can include engine size, but the numbers don’t correlate to engine displacement anymore. As far the M designation, a mode that starts with an M and only includes one number or a mode that ends with only an M is a full on M mode. Models that have the M designation followed by multiple numbers can be thought of as “M lite”. So basically a regular model that has been lightly massaged with perhaps updated brakes, more powerful motor, suspension changes, and some more aggressive appearance.

The best comparison is an Mxxi is like the Audi “S” models, whereas a full M car is like an Audi RS model.

Edit: and yes the i indicates fuel injection...something that has kinda just stuck.

chicagofan00 · 03-02-2019, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Replicant

The number used to represent the displacement of the motor. For instance a BMW 330i was a 3.0 liter, etc. Now it just notes where they are in the trim level of the lineup, which can include engine size, but the numbers don’t correlate to engine displacement anymore. As far the M designation, a mode that starts with an M and only includes one number or a mode that ends with only an M is a full on M mode. Models that have the M designation followed by multiple numbers can be thought of as “M lite”. So basically a regular model that has been lightly massaged with perhaps updated brakes, more powerful motor, suspension changes, and some more aggressive appearance.

The best comparison is an Mxxi is like the Audi “S” models, whereas a full M car is like an Audi RS model.

Edit: and yes the i indicates fuel injection...something that has kinda just stuck.

Spot on answer right here!

teaston · 03-02-2019, 03:21 PM

30i = 3 litre
35i = 3 litre turbocharged
40i = Better 3 llitre turbocharged

smithf80 · 03-02-2019, 03:32 PM

teaston · 03-02-2019, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithf80

Not soneone with an M3 it appears!

smithf80 · 03-02-2019, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

Not soneone with an M3 it appears!

Hah, I am looking into getting an M40i at the moment tho!

teaston · 03-02-2019, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smithf80

Hah, I am looking into getting an M40i at the moment tho!

Good man!

titomi · 03-02-2019, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

30i = 3 litre
35i = 3 litre turbocharged
40i = Better 3 llitre turbocharged

30i is 2 litre.

teaston · 03-02-2019, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titomi

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

30i = 3 litre
35i = 3 litre turbocharged
40i = Better 3 llitre turbocharged

30i is 2 litre.

So will the 35i be soon!

I was just listing the historical roots of the 40i.

MechX3M40i · 03-02-2019, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by titomi

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

30i = 3 litre
35i = 3 litre turbocharged
40i = Better 3 llitre turbocharged

30i is 2 litre.

This is the confusing part about BMW nomenclature - 30i is a 2 liter 4 cylinder petrol (gas) engine, while 30d is 3.0 liter six cylinder diesel!

Oh well, I'm sure this topic had been discussed at least a few million times since BMW deviate from their old ways of naming cars.

teaston · 03-02-2019, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

Quote:

Originally Posted by titomi

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

30i = 3 litre
35i = 3 litre turbocharged
40i = Better 3 llitre turbocharged

30i is 2 litre.

This is the confusing part about BMW nomenclature, since 30d is 3.0 liter six cylinder!

Oh well, I'm sure this topic had been discussed at least a few million times since BMW deviate from their old ways of naming cars.

Up until E9x 30i was 3 litre, then they added a turbo to it to create the 35i, and eventually it morphed into the 40i

The new M235i will be a 2 litre!

dinan5m3 · 03-02-2019, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

This is the confusing part about BMW nomenclature - 30i is a 2 liter 4 cylinder petrol (gas) engine, while 30d is 3.0 liter six cylinder diesel!

Oh well, I'm sure this topic had been discussed at least a few million times since BMW deviate from their old ways of naming cars.

Right, but now i'm schooled on this, won't bring up again.

MechX3M40i · 03-02-2019, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinan5m3

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

This is the confusing part about BMW nomenclature - 30i is a 2 liter 4 cylinder petrol (gas) engine, while 30d is 3.0 liter six cylinder diesel!

Oh well, I'm sure this topic had been discussed at least a few million times since BMW deviate from their old ways of naming cars.

Right, but now i'm schooled on this, won't bring up again.

No issues my friend... My point was not saying you should not ask questions (isn't this exactly what the forum is for, Exchanging knowledge and ideas?) but rather, BMW's current way of naming cars had bothered numerous people already...

Lux700 · 03-02-2019, 05:31 PM

If you delve back into the history of BMW and the early days of model nomenclature you’ll discover that BMW have ebbed and flowed, changing model numbers to coincide with the car model and engine, i.e., sometimes they have corresponded (as described above) but of late they have gone back to creating a model structure which appears to suit market demand and also gives distinct model separation.

Who remembers the 2002? Great little car!

MechX3M40i · 03-02-2019, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux700

If you delve back into the history of BMW and the early days of model nomenclature you'll discover that BMW have ebbed and flowed, changing model numbers to coincide with the car model and engine, i.e., sometimes they have corresponded (as described above) but of late they have gone back to creating a model structure which appears to suit market demand and also gives distinct model separation.

Who remembers the 2002? Great little car!

Man, asking about the 2002 is basically asking all the geriatrics to raise their hands

muzzalad · 03-02-2019, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

Man, asking about the 2002 is basically asking all the geriatrics to raise their hands

I can't quite stretch my hand up for that - and not because of age.

Do remember super specific nomenclature from the 80s though.
E30 323i - because it had a 2.3 litre engine. Does was it says on the tin [UK reference].

Don't know what point the switch to the new structure happened though. Was it when turbochargers started hitting the straight 6s around about the N54 point? Was that the first x35i that didn't have a 3.5 litre engine?

BobsM3Coupe · 03-02-2019, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzzalad

Don't know what point the switch to the new structure happened though. Was it when turbochargers started hitting the straight 6s around about the N54 point? Was that the first x35i that didn't have a 3.5 litre engine?

BMW themselves don't have a definitive answer either.
It's all marketing stuff. Those clowns have to justify their lucrative salaries somehow. Otherwise BMW will give them the ax.

MarkyM · 03-03-2019, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muzzalad

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

Man, asking about the 2002 is basically asking all the geriatrics to raise their hands

I can't quite stretch my hand up for that - and not because of age.

Do remember super specific nomenclature from the 80s though.
E30 323i - because it had a 2.3 litre engine. Does was it says on the tin [UK reference].

Don't know what point the switch to the new structure happened though. Was it when turbochargers started hitting the straight 6s around about the N54 point? Was that the first x35i that didn't have a 3.5 litre engine?

BMW started changing things in the '90s I think, 323 had a 2.5l, into the 2000s E87 had a 2 litre engine in 116d, 118d, 123d and 118i, 125i had a 3 litre, probably many other examples from back then as well

Probably simplifies things not having to have many different engines for each badge

verysideways · 03-03-2019, 05:02 AM

It was earlier than that actually. The E28 525e was a 2.7 litre lump with a long stroke so that it developed lots of torque at the lower end of the rev range, hence the "e" for economy.

Then in the mid-90's the E34 540i became the E39 540i, but the E39 version gained a 4.4 litre lump.

323 (as you said) gained a detuned 2.5 lump when the 325 became the 328. The 328 only had 1bhp more than the 325, but had a larger and flatter torque curve - so they detuned the 192bhp lump to 170bhp and called it the 323.

MattXYZ · 03-03-2019, 05:04 AM

There is further inconsistency in BMW. E.g. the 50i is a 4.4 litre petrol but the 50d is a 3.0 litre diesel with 3 turbos!

Audi have kind of gone in this direction too. E.g. the “40 TDi” is a 2 litre diesel

03-02-2019, 02:05 PM	#1
dinan5m3 Colonel 4264 Rep 2,067 Posts Drives: e39 m5 e46 m3 g01 x3m40i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: RTP NC iTrader: (0)	BMW X3 M40i, that's lot of words... but what is it? Just trying to be (little) informed. What is 40 in X3 M40i, mean? I tried looking it up, the origin, and historical POV, and coming up empty. For instance, M#, where # is [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,...], i get it, as full-on M badge in that respective # series. Simpler days, until BMW start really cranking out in their sausage factory. Where does the 40 come from, what it is. Similarly, 5 series M550i, what does 550 in M550i referring to? The engine is 4.4 L V8 twin-turbo. Where does the 550 come from? Thanks much. Last edited by dinan5m3; 03-02-2019 at 02:13 PM..
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03-02-2019, 02:21 PM	#3
Replicant Second Lieutenant 92 Rep 251 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	The number used to represent the displacement of the motor. For instance a BMW 330i was a 3.0 liter, etc. Now it just notes where they are in the trim level of the lineup, which can include engine size, but the numbers don’t correlate to engine displacement anymore. As far the M designation, a mode that starts with an M and only includes one number or a mode that ends with only an M is a full on M mode. Models that have the M designation followed by multiple numbers can be thought of as “M lite”. So basically a regular model that has been lightly massaged with perhaps updated brakes, more powerful motor, suspension changes, and some more aggressive appearance. The best comparison is an Mxxi is like the Audi “S” models, whereas a full M car is like an Audi RS model. Edit: and yes the i indicates fuel injection...something that has kinda just stuck.
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03-02-2019, 03:21 PM	#5
teaston Banned 10995 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	30i = 3 litre 35i = 3 litre turbocharged 40i = Better 3 llitre turbocharged
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03-02-2019, 03:32 PM	#6
smithf80 Major General 2808 Rep 5,316 Posts Drives: G80 M3 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2022 G20 330i [9.00] 2018 F80 M3 [9.75]	__________________ Scott, Partner Insight Automotive Consulting Click HERE for all discounted BMW New Car Pricing Click HERE for all BMW In Stock Inventory Specials Call/Text: 516-416-5481 Email: scott@insightautoconsulting.com
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03-02-2019, 05:31 PM	#16
Lux700 Captain 551 Rep 980 Posts Drives: X3 M40d - Black Sapphire Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: The forest of Epping iTrader: (0)	If you delve back into the history of BMW and the early days of model nomenclature you’ll discover that BMW have ebbed and flowed, changing model numbers to coincide with the car model and engine, i.e., sometimes they have corresponded (as described above) but of late they have gone back to creating a model structure which appears to suit market demand and also gives distinct model separation. Who remembers the 2002? Great little car!
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03-03-2019, 05:02 AM	#21
verysideways Lateral grip estimator 957 Rep 1,390 Posts Drives: i4, M2 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Cotswolds, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW i4 Individual [7.83] 2010 Porsche 997.2 ... [0.00] 2002 Morgan Aero 8 [0.00]	It was earlier than that actually. The E28 525e was a 2.7 litre lump with a long stroke so that it developed lots of torque at the lower end of the rev range, hence the "e" for economy. Then in the mid-90's the E34 540i became the E39 540i, but the E39 version gained a 4.4 litre lump. 323 (as you said) gained a detuned 2.5 lump when the 325 became the 328. The 328 only had 1bhp more than the 325, but had a larger and flatter torque curve - so they detuned the 192bhp lump to 170bhp and called it the 323. __________________ '20 BMW M2 '23 BWM i4 Mora '10 Porsche 997 '02 Morgan Aero 8 http://petrolhead.tours
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03-03-2019, 05:04 AM	#22
MattXYZ Private First Class 151 Rep 188 Posts Drives: X3 (G01) M40i, X5 (F15) 40d Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	There is further inconsistency in BMW. E.g. the 50i is a 4.4 litre petrol but the 50d is a 3.0 litre diesel with 3 turbos! Audi have kind of gone in this direction too. E.g. the “40 TDi” is a 2 litre diesel
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