BMW identifies every platform by a chassis code. If you can't read the codes fluently, you'll buy wrong parts, misidentify donor cars, and generally look like a tourist.
This is the full BMW chassis code map for the modern era.
The coding system
BMW uses a letter + two-digit number:
- E = older era, roughly 1980s through early 2010s
- F = middle era, approximately 2008-2019
- G = current era, 2017-present
- U = electric-focused platform, 2023+
- I = electric vehicles (iX, i4, etc.)
- Number differentiates body style / generation within era
Within a generation you'll also see M suffix for M-division cars (e.g., F80 is the M3 version of the F30 3 Series).
3 Series
| Chassis | Years | Body | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E30 | 1982-1994 | Sedan, coupe, convertible, touring | The classic. M3 = E30 M3. |
| E36 | 1990-2000 | Sedan, coupe, convertible, touring, Compact (E36/5) | E36 M3 (S50, S52 US) |
| E46 | 1998-2006 | Sedan, coupe, convertible, touring, Compact (E46/5) | E46 M3 = S54 engine |
| E90 | 2005-2012 | Sedan | N52, N54, N55, S65 (M3) |
| E91 | 2005-2012 | Touring (wagon) | |
| E92 | 2006-2013 | Coupe | E92 M3 = S65 V8 |
| E93 | 2007-2013 | Convertible (hardtop retractable) | |
| F30 | 2012-2019 | Sedan | N20, N26, N55, B58 |
| F31 | 2012-2019 | Touring | |
| F34 | 2013-2020 | Gran Turismo | |
| F80 | 2014-2018 | M3 sedan | S55 turbo I6 |
| F82 | 2014-2020 | M4 coupe | Same S55 |
| F83 | 2015-2020 | M4 convertible | |
| G20 | 2019-present | Sedan | B46, B58 |
| G21 | 2020-present | Touring | |
| G28 | 2019-present | Long-wheelbase sedan (China) | |
| G80 | 2021-present | M3 sedan | S58 |
| G82 | 2021-present | M4 coupe | S58 |
| G83 | 2021-present | M4 convertible | S58 |
| G87 | 2024-present | M2 coupe | S58 detuned |
4 Series (split from 3 Series coupes starting F32 era)
| Chassis | Years | Body | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| F32 | 2014-2020 | Coupe | N20, N26, N55, B58 |
| F33 | 2014-2020 | Convertible | |
| F36 | 2014-2020 | Gran Coupe (4-door) | |
| G22 | 2021-present | Coupe | B48, B58 |
| G23 | 2021-present | Convertible | |
| G26 | 2022-present | Gran Coupe |
5 Series
| Chassis | Years | Body | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E34 | 1988-1996 | Sedan, touring | E34 M5 = S38 I6 |
| E39 | 1995-2003 | Sedan, touring | E39 M5 = S62 V8 |
| E60 | 2003-2010 | Sedan | E60 M5 = S85 V10 |
| E61 | 2003-2010 | Touring | |
| F10 | 2010-2017 | Sedan | F10 M5 = S63TÜ twin-turbo V8 |
| F11 | 2010-2017 | Touring | |
| F07 | 2009-2017 | 5 Series GT | |
| G30 | 2017-2023 | Sedan | G30 M5 = S63 variant |
| G31 | 2017-2023 | Touring | |
| G60 | 2023-present | Sedan | Current 5 Series (hybrid focus) |
| G90 | 2024-present | M5 sedan | Plug-in hybrid S68 |
7 Series
| Chassis | Years | Body | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E32 | 1986-1994 | Sedan | 750iL had first BMW V12 |
| E38 | 1995-2001 | Sedan | The "Ronin" 7 Series |
| E65/E66 | 2001-2008 | Short/long wheelbase | V12 variant = E66 760Li |
| F01/F02 | 2008-2015 | Short/long wheelbase | F01 = 740i/Li, F02 = long |
| G11/G12 | 2015-2022 | Short/long wheelbase | |
| G70 | 2023-present | Sedan | Controversial "split grille" |
8 Series
| Chassis | Years | Body | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E31 | 1989-1999 | Coupe | Classic 8 Series, M8 prototype never produced |
| F91/F92/F93 | 2018-present | Conv/Coupe/Gran Coupe | F91 = convertible, F92 = coupe, F93 = Gran Coupe |
| G14/G15/G16 | Same gen, different labels | Interchangeable with F-series above in community usage |
M8 variants: F91 M8 (conv), F92 M8 (coupe), F93 M8 Gran Coupe — all S63.
X (SUV) Series
| Chassis | Years | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E53 | 2000-2006 | X5 (first gen) | |
| E70 | 2007-2013 | X5 | |
| F15 | 2014-2018 | X5 | |
| G05 | 2019-present | X5 | |
| E83 | 2004-2010 | X3 (first gen) | |
| F25 | 2011-2017 | X3 | |
| G01 | 2018-present | X3 | |
| E84 | 2009-2015 | X1 (first gen) | |
| F48 | 2015-2022 | X1 | |
| U11 | 2023-present | X1 | |
| E71 | 2008-2014 | X6 | |
| F16 | 2015-2019 | X6 | |
| G06 | 2020-present | X6 | |
| F39 | 2018-present | X2 | |
| U10 | 2024-present | X2 | |
| G07 | 2019-present | X7 |
Z (Roadster) Series
| Chassis | Years | Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| E30/Z1 | 1989-1991 | Z1 | Rare, door-drop design |
| E36/7 | 1995-2002 | Z3 | Z3M coupe and roadster |
| E85 | 2002-2008 | Z4 roadster | |
| E86 | 2006-2008 | Z4 coupe | Z4M variants |
| E89 | 2009-2016 | Z4 | Folding hardtop |
| G29 | 2018-present | Z4 | Shared with Toyota Supra A90 chassis |
M Car Quick Reference
The most-searched M chassis codes specifically:
- E30 M3 (1988-1991): S14 four-cylinder, hand-built icon
- E36 M3 (1995-1999 US): S50/S52 I6
- E46 M3 (2001-2006): S54 I6 — the legend
- E92 M3 (2008-2013): S65 V8 — last NA M3
- E60 M5 (2006-2010): S85 V10 — the Formula 1 for the road
- F10 M5 (2012-2016): S63 TÜ twin-turbo V8 — first turbo M5
- F80 M3 / F82 M4 (2014-2018): S55 I6 twin-turbo
- G80 M3 / G82 M4 (2021-present): S58 I6, 3.0L twin-turbo
- F90 M5 (2018-2023): S63 variant, 4.4L V8 twin-turbo
- G90 M5 (2024-present): S68 hybrid V8 — 700+ hp, controversial weight
How to identify a chassis code from a VIN
Positions 7-8 of the BMW VIN encode the platform. For example, a VIN containing "WBSJF..." tells you it's an M Performance / M-division car. For exact chassis identification, use:
- BMW Service page (bmwvin.com or similar VIN decoders) — plug in and get chassis
- RealOEM.com — full parts catalog by VIN, identifies chassis and production date
- ISTA (BMW's OEM diagnostic software) — authoritative but requires a scan tool
Why the chassis code matters when buying parts
BMW parts often interchange within a chassis code but not across generations. An E90 sedan and an E92 coupe share many parts (suspension, engine, interior trim). An E90 and an F30 share almost nothing despite being the same market (3 Series sedan).
Examples where this trips up buyers:
- "BMW 3 Series headlight" — useless. E46, E90, F30, and G20 all fit different lights.
- "BMW M3 suspension" — useless. E46 M3, E92 M3, F80 M3, G80 M3 are four totally different suspensions.
- "N54 twin turbo" — fits E9X, E82/88, and E60 335i/535i platforms. But the downpipes differ by chassis.
Always identify the chassis first. Then the engine. Then the part.
The generational breaks
Three big architecture changes happened in the BMW lineup:
- E to F series (around 2008-2013): iDrive generations, electronic steering, N-series engines replacing older M-series
- F to G series (around 2017-2019): New B-series modular engines, revised infotainment, shift to run-flat standard
- G to U series (2023+): EV-focused platforms, some hybrid, some pure electric (iX, i4, i7)
Parts compatibility does not cross these generational breaks.
The bottom line
Once you internalize the chassis code system, shopping BMW parts becomes trivial. Before you've internalized it, every part listing is a lottery ticket.
Bookmark this page. Reference it before every parts order. It's the single most important thing to know about the BMW ecosystem.
Looking for a part for a specific chassis? Our parts catalog filters by vehicle — find what fits your exact chassis code.