BMW chassis codes are internal identifiers used to distinguish the different generations and platforms of BMW vehicles. Because many BMW models share the same name across multiple years, these codes make it easier to tell them apart based on their specific design, engineering, and production era. The list below highlights a wide range of the most common BMW chassis codes and the exact models they correspond to, giving you a clear way to identify each generation.
Pre-E Chassis (Classic BMW)
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326, 327, 328 – Pre-war models
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501, 502, 503, 507 – 1950s luxury/sports
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700 – Compact rear-engine
E Chassis (1960s–into 2010s)
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E3 – New Six sedan 1968-1977
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E9 – Coupe (3.0CS/CSL) 1968-1975
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E10 – 2002 series 1966-1977
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E12 – 5 Series 1972-1981
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E21 – 3 Series 1975-1983
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E23 – 7 Series 1977-1986
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E24 – 6 Series 1976-1989
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E26 – M1 1978-1981
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E28 – 5 Series 1981-1987
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E30 – 3 Series 1982-1994
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E31 – 8 Series 1990-1999
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E32 – 7 Series 1986-1994
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E34 – 5 Series 1987-1996
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E36 – 3 Series/M3 sedan/coupe 1990-2000
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E36/7 – Z3 roadster 1998-2002
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E36/8 – Z3 coupe 1998-2002
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E38 – 7 Series 1994-2001
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E39 – 5 Series/M5 1995-2004
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E46 – 3 Series/M3 1997-2006
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E52 – Z8 1999-2003
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E53 – X5 1999-2006
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E60 – 5 Series/M5 sedan 2003-2010
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E61 – 5 Series Touring 2004-2010
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E63 – 6 Series/M6 coupe 2003-2010
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E64 – 6 Series/M6 convertible 2003-2010
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E65 – 7 Series 2001-2008
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E66 – 7 Series LWB 2002-2008
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E67 – High Security 7 Series 2002-2008
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E68 – Hydrogen 7 Series 2006-2007
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E70 – X5 2006-2013
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E71 – X6 2007-2014
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E72 – X6 Hybrid 2009-2011
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E81 – 1 Series 3-door 2007-2012
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E82 – 1 Series coupe 2007-2013
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E84 – X1 2009-2015
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E87 – 1 Series 5-door 2004-2011
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E88 – 1 Series convertible 2007-2013
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E89 – Z4 2009-2016
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E90 – 3 Series/M3 sedan 2004-2011
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E91 – 3 Series Touring (wagon) 2005-2012
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E92 – 3 Series/M3 coupe 2006-2013
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E93 – 3 Series/M3 convertible 2006-2013
F Chassis (roughly 2010–roughly 2020)
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F01 – 7 Series 2008-2015
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F02 – 7 Series LWB 2008-2015
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F03 / F04 – Hybrid 7 Series 2009-2015
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F06 – 6 Series/M6 Gran Coupe 2012-2019
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F07 – 5 Series GT 2009-2017
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F10 – 5 Series/M5 sedan 2010-2017
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F11 – 5 Series Touring 2010-2017
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F12 – 6 Series/M6 convertible 2011-2018
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F13 – 6 Series/M6 coupe 2011-2017
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F15 – X5 2013-2018
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F16 – X6 2014-2019
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F20 – 1 Series (5-door) 2011-2019
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F21 – 1 Series (3-door) 2011-2019
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F22 – 2 Series coupe 2013-2021
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F23 – 2 Series convertible 2014-2021
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F25 – X3 2010-2017
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F26 – X4 2014-2018
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F30 – 3 Series sedan 2011-2019
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F31 – 3 Series Touring 2012-2019
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F32 – 4 Series coupe 2013-2020
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F33 – 4 Series convertible 2013-2020
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F34 – 3 Series GT 2013-2020
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F35 – 3 Series LWB 2012-2018
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F36 – 4 Series Gran Coupe 2014-2020
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F39 – X2 2017-2023
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F40 – 1 Series (new gen) 2019-2024
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F44 – 2 Series Gran Coupe 2019-2024
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F45 – 2 Series Active Tourer 2014-2021
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F46 – 2 Series Gran Tourer 2015-2021
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F48 – X1 2015-2022
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F49 – X1 LWB 2016-2022
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F52 – 1 Series sedan (China) 2017-2023
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F80 – M3 2014-2018
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F82 – M4 coupe 2014-2020
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F83 – M4 convertible 2014-2020
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F85 – X5 M 2014-2018
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F86 – X6 M 2014-2019
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F87 – M2 2016-2021
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F90 – 5 Series/M5 2017-2023
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F91 – M8 convertible 2019-2025
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F92 – M8 Coupe 2019-2025
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F93 - M8 Gran Coupe 2019-2025
G Chassis (Current Generation. roughly 2019-present)
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G01 – X3 2017-2024
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G02 – X4 2018-2025
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G05 – X5 2018-present
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G06 – X6 2019-present
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G07 – X7 2018-present
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G08 – iX3 2020-2025
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G09 – XM 2022-present
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G11 – 7 Series 2015-2022
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G12 – 7 Series LWB 2015-2022
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G14 – 8 Series convertible 2018-2026
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G15 – 8 Series coupe 2018-2026
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G16 – 8 Series Gran Coupe 2019-2026
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G20 – 3 Series sedan 2018-present
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G21 – 3 Series Touring 2019-present
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G22 – 4 Series coupe 2020-present
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G23 – 4 Series convertible 2020-present
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G26 – 4 Series Gran Coupe 2021-present
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G28 – 3 Series LWB 2019-present
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G29 – Z4 2018-2026
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G30 – 5 Series 2016-2023
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G31 – 5 Series Touring 2016-2023
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G32 – 6 Series GT 2017-2023
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G38 – 5 Series LWB 2017-2023
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G42 – 2 Series coupe 2021-present
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G45 – X3 (new gen) 2024-present
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G60 – 5 Series (new gen) 2023-present
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G61 – 5 Series Touring 2024-present
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G70 – 7 Series 2022-present
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G80 – M3 2020-present
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G81 – M3 Touring 2022-present
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G82 – M4 coupe 2020-present
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G83 – M4 convertible 2020-present
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G87 – M2 2022-present
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G90 – M5 Sedan 2024-present
- G99 - M5 Touring 2024-present
BMW i / Electric Platforms
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i01 – i3 2013-2022
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i12 – i8 coupe 2014-2020
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i15 – i8 roadster 2018-2020
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i20 – iX 2021-present
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i4 – based on G26 2021-2026
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i5 – based on G60 2023-present
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i7 – based on G70 2022-present
BMW chassis codes are internal development designations used to identify the platform and generation of each vehicle the brand produces. These codes make it easier to distinguish between different versions of the same model, since BMW often keeps model names like the 3 Series or 5 Series for many years while the actual vehicles change significantly between generations. The letter at the beginning of the code typically represents the development era, such as E for older generations, F for mid-2010s models, and G for BMW’s newest platforms.
For example, the E46 refers to the fourth-generation 3 Series produced in the late 1990s and early 2000s, while the F80 identifies the M3 produced from 2014 to 2018, and the G80 represents the current generation M3. Even though these cars share the same model name, they are built on completely different platforms with different designs, technologies, and performance capabilities. Chassis codes help enthusiasts, mechanics, and parts manufacturers clearly identify the exact vehicle platform.
Because of this, chassis codes are widely used throughout the automotive community when discussing modifications, aftermarket parts, and compatibility. Instead of simply saying “BMW M3,” enthusiasts will often refer to the exact chassis, such as E92 M3 or G80 M3, to avoid confusion and ensure they are talking about the correct generation. This system has become a key part of BMW culture and is one of the easiest ways to understand the evolution of the brand’s vehicles over time.