secret decoder ring

[daixloxbmw]

Originally Posted by Allencic

I get a kick out of people who post on this site and refer to their cars and engines as E82, E88, N35, etc. While these are perfectly legitimate engineering and manufacturing codes they just sound silly and childish when naming your cars. You own or lease a One Series BMW. It's either a 128i or 135i. Either a coupe or convertible. Why not use these designations?

When you say E82, E88, etc. its seems as if your trying to show that you're in some secret kids club. Do you have a sign that says, "Boyz only, no gurlz allowed?" Do you drive with secret Captain BMW roundel goggles? A blue and white superhero cape?

Do you communicate with your secret decoder ring you got by sending in the tops of several BMWs?

It just has such a precious, pretentious and childish attitude.

OP, you are really misinformed. The 1 series is NOT just a 128i or 135i in a coupe of convertible chassis. Keep in mind that this is an international website that includes members from all over the world where the 1 series is also available in 116i, 116d, 118i, 118d, 120i, 123d, 125i and 130i in various chassis styles including a 3 door hatch and a 5 door hatch with engines in various sizes in both gasoline and diesel flavors.

All said and done, there are literally hundreds if not thousands of potential engine and chassis combinations throughout the 1 series' life cycle. So that is why the engine and chassis codes are important.

For you to criticize the well established BMW community and our "secret lingo", you are truly showing how ignorant you really are. Instead of childishly criticizing the terminology that you obviously do not understand, you should take some time to learn more about them, they are there for a reason and nearly every car enthusiast forum has their own terminology to distinguish between different versions of their beloved car.

[Bimmer-Bob]

Love my E82.

Really don't care what the troll thinks.

[MastaMind]

Originally Posted by Allencic

The use of the word "precious" seems to apply perfectly. Check your dictionary. One definition is, "very fastidious, overrefined,or affected as in language, behavior, etc." Now check out affected or affectation, "artificial behavior meant to impress others, mannerism for effect."

I think it's not insignificant that nowhere in the owner's manuals supplied with your cars does BMW AG used terms to identify the car such as E82, E88, N35, etc. They simply call them by their proper names, such as 128i coupe, 135i convertible, etc.

Of course I couldn't care less what you call your cars and the designation has nothing to do with being knowledgeable or an enthusiast.

It seems the idea is "to impress rather than inform". Or put more simply, using E82 is merely "precious".

By using "precious" in that way, especially in your rather verbose posts, don't you think you're doing the same thing as those using chassis codes? Or are you not trying to impress us with your precious grammar and linguistics?

[jkoral]

Chassis and engine codes provide a specificity to discussions of cars. They have been used by BMW CCA members that are older than you Allencic, and for none of the reasons you have cited. They are certainly not specific to the 1-series, although I will grant you that on the surface, they may feel superfluous for the 1-series (in the US).

For example:

"I drive an M3". E30? E36? E46? E90/92/93? (And soon F30...)

Other examples:

"I drive a BMW 3-series" OK, that covers 1975 to 2012, 37 years and 6 generations.

"I drive a 1999 323i" In the US, this could be either an E36 (coupe) or E46 (sedan)

"I drive a 1998 323i". In the US, this would be an E36 (coupe and sedan). In other areas of the world, this could be an E46 sedan.

So although this forum may tend to be US centric/biased, it has contributing members from all over the world. It's not just a coupe or convertible and it's not just 2008-2012.

BMW E87 - (2004–2011) 1 Series five-door hatchback
BMW E81 - (2007–2011) 1 Series 3-door hatchback
BMW E82 - (2007–2011) 1 Series coupe
BMW E88 - (2007–2011) 1 Series convertible
BMW F20 - (2011->) 1 Series five-door hatchback

Different markets get different models introduced at different times and there can be overlap, where BMW is selling the previous generation in one country and the new generation in another country but both with the same model year.

BMW AG uses engine and chassis codes in Technical documentation, Service Bulletins and Accessory Installation instructions (to name a few). All sources where such a differentiation and specificity of models is required (unlike your owner's manual example).

[amancuso]

Originally Posted by Allencic

Now I understand. If you said 3 series sedan and gave me the year I wouldn't have any idea what your car was like. For all I'd know it might have been a pickup truck or maybe an electric golf cart. You're right, E46 is MUCH more precise a description.

E46 narrows it down to 1999-2005 sedans or 2000-2006 coupes/convertibles. What I don't understand is why you can't see using precise terms helps when it comes to looking up specific information.

/end.

[DDS2015]

Knowing the engine and chassis codes actuality simplifies things greatly. Furthermore, if you look at multiple different areas of daily life, codes are used to make things easier.

For example, you call your car an 20XX 128i convertible. This is totally acceptable and nobody will say it is wrong. However, It's much quicker to say and type that you have an E88 N52. People know exactly what that is and was much quicker.

Another example: your dentist says that you need a number 30 MO. Your dentist, their assistant, and hygienists know exactly what this means. It is not some sort of secret club. If you took the time to understand what people are talking about, it actually makes a tonne of sense and when discussing your car makes it easier for people to understand. Oh, and btw the long way of saying 30 MO is to say that your right mandibular first molar needs a mesial-occlusal restoration. Saying 30 MO is much faster and simpler when your dentist is discussing this with their assistant as it reduces the number of words from 9 to 2.

Oh yea, and

[ksparks]

this is the type of tool probably refers to his car as a "Beamer" and probably has a gaudy roundel key chain he flashes around. pathetic.

[JHOOPS2]

Originally Posted by Allencic

Now I understand. If you said 3 series sedan and gave me the year I wouldn't have any idea what your car was like. For all I'd know it might have been a pickup truck or maybe an electric golf cart. You're right, E46 is MUCH more precise a description.

What engine is in my brother's 135i? If you can answer me that as well as if it is a vert or coupe, then I will give the victory in this thread to you.

Thanks.

[DARK PHX]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

I love this thread...i have been getting a kick out of it all day

[Allencic]

KSPARKS,

Funny you should mention Beamer because after reading (and laughing) at the high degree of outrageous responses from those who use engineering and manufacturing codes as insider lingo I said to my wife, "I'll bet all these guys are the sorts who call their cars "Beamers". I tend to simply call my 128i "the red car".

BMW sent me a very nice (and pricey) key fob as a gift when I purchased my convert. It looks nice but rattles against the dash so I use it to hang my gym ID tag on.

It seems to me that if you specify the year, body style, and series number you automatically have the engine type. After all, even a 135i doesn't offer a dozen different engines to choose from. I'll bet that if you tell someone who isn't a member of the BMW insiders club that you have an E88 they would ask, "what the heck is that?" To which you would reply, "Oh, it's a i35i".

I'll bet that when you tell someone who isn't in the insiders club that you have an E88 they tend to say, "What the heck is that?". You then have to say, "Oh, it's a BMW 135i

[Sylon]

I think we are wasting our time trying to get it thru to him. Doesn't bother me any, just means he has to type more when he has to spell out "2011 BMW 135i coupe" when all I have to do is type "E82 N55".

[Red Bread]

Hey, genius, if you don't want to deal with the "insider's club" maybe you should avoid a particular website called 1 Addicts. If you don't care, just hang out in the general forum.

I have two BMW's both of which changed engines within the run of the particular body style. So it's nice to know which motor folks are talking about, not have to keep referencing which engine is in which year. This is similar to trying to determine which year of Audi cars has a belt and which has a chain, made all the easier by simply referencing the engine code.

[JHOOPS2]

In the real world when talking to someone who drive a Nissan, then yes saying 2009 135i with a twin turbo is easier than explaining what a N54 135i is in comparison to any other 135i. However on this board, which happens to cater this very car, we use our minds to learn what the codes mean. You know that thing between your ears that rattles when you walk.

[daixloxbmw]

Originally Posted by Allencic

KSPARKS,

Funny you should mention Beamer because after reading (and laughing) at the high degree of outrageous responses from those who use engineering and manufacturing codes as insider lingo I said to my wife, "I'll bet all these guys are the sorts who call their cars "Beamers". I tend to simply call my 128i "the red car".

BMW sent me a very nice (and pricey) key fob as a gift when I purchased my convert. It looks nice but rattles against the dash so I use it to hang my gym ID tag on.

It seems to me that if you specify the year, body style, and series number you automatically have the engine type. After all, even a 135i doesn't offer a dozen different engines to choose from. I'll bet that if you tell someone who isn't a member of the BMW insiders club that you have an E88 they would ask, "what the heck is that?" To which you would reply, "Oh, it's a i35i".

I'll bet that when you tell someone who isn't in the insiders club that you have an E88 they tend to say, "What the heck is that?". You then have to say, "Oh, it's a BMW 135i

Looks like you are already learning a tiny bit from this thread. You added the year to your criteria now. Your original post only included model number and body style. So you are already slowly learning the importance of these "secret" distinctions. There is some hope for you after all... keep reading and you might actually learn another thing or two...

However, you are still wrong. Adding the year with the model number and body style does not automatically tell you engine. Keep in mind that some models have changed engines mid-year. So if I told you I had a 2007 116i hatchback, how can you tell if I got the earlier N45 engine or the later N43 engine?

And you are right, I wouldn't use chassis or engine codes to an outsider but we are in a BMW forum where everyone is considered an insider and you just started a thread in this same forum chastising all of the insiders for using the tools to quickly distinguish/identify our cars.

[Sylon]

Originally Posted by daixloxbmw

Looks like you are already learning a tiny bit from this thread. You added the year to your criteria now. Your original post only included model number and body style. So you are already slowly learning the importance of these "secret" distinctions. There is some hope for you after all... keep reading and you might actually learn another thing or two...

However, you are still wrong. Adding the year with the model number and body style does not automatically tell you engine. Keep in mind that some models have changed engines mid-year. So if I told you I had a 2007 116i hatchback, how can you tell if I got the earlier N45 engine or the later N43 engine?

And you are right, I wouldn't use chassis or engine codes to an outsider but we are in a BMW forum where everyone is considered an insider and you just started a thread in this same forum chastising all of the insiders for using the tools to quickly distinguish/identify our cars.

Didn't the 135i switch from the N54 to the N55 mid-2010?

[pdisher]

Okay...

Let's just use the entire VIN to describe the vehicle.
Then we could DECODE the thing and know everytning!

[doublegbmw]

Originally Posted by Sylon

I think we are wasting our time trying to get it thru to him. Doesn't bother me any, just means he has to type more when he has to spell out "2011 BMW 135i coupe" when all I have to do is type "E82 N55".

LOL, been reading this funny post... how do you know OP is a guy? With some of the wording & lack of car knowledge, I don't think the OP is a guy

IBTL

[Allencic]

OK guys, last rant. I originally posted this as a lighthearted joke. You know, an obviously failed attempt to be humorous. I'm astounded at the anger and seriousness of so many responses. But it has been fun and really funny reading all your fuming and fussing over this naming stuff. I wonder if there is any significance to the fact that the most intense have been from 135i owners?

Anyway, to repeat myself, it is just a car. A very good car to be sure but still, just a car.

[Mr Marcus]

Originally Posted by Allencic

Relax and lighten up, it's just a car

Ah that means you don't have one then or you'd understand the obsession.

[TX78666]

I list N55, because it comes up A LOT when people ask about performance mods, fuel pumps, etc.

I list ZHP, because I am in a secret club.

[N54boostin]

Originally Posted by Sylon

Didn't the 135i switch from the N54 to the N55 mid-2010?

The 135i did change in 2010 depending on production time mine was 09/09 so i have an N54..

[dvno]

Not gonna lie, this post was actually very useful! Considering I'm new to the BMW community, I had done a bit of fact finding on the boards for the last few days to identify just which chassis/engine combination I own. In regards to the OP, you just have to go with the flow. I may not have purchased my car as some well-informed enthusiast, but I try to learn those codes to help those that ARE well-informed answer my questions in a much timelier manner. Now, to AGREE with the OP in a very slight way, not always do you have to refer to your car with the codes unless its contextually necessary! Sometimes it DOES seem a bit pretentious.

But only just.

Now to change my info!