Did you know? BMW Edition

BMW has quite the versatile background, so rather than a blog about the history this will simply be a blog containing some of the coolest must know facts about BMW. BMW originally started as a manufacturer for aircraft engines then motorcycles and eventually all led to the automotive side of the industry. BMW is known for their luxurious vehicles and exceptional performance that these vehicles put out. Every model or “series” is usually a three number name followed by a letter at the end of the three digits, sometimes even letters. 

Deciphering BMW models… 

BMW model names, while seemingly complex, follow a structured system. The first number in the model name indicates the series, the larger the first digit is generally will indicate the larger the vehicle is. For example, a 3XX indicates the vehicle is a 3 series: a compact executive sedan. While a “5” series is a mid-size luxury car. Typically after the first digit will be two more numbers. The numbers following the series number  (e.g., 320,330, 540) represent engine performance, not necessarily engine displacement. The higher the number: the more power the engine puts out. For example the BMW 328 (2.0L 4-cylinder, 255hp) doesn’t make as much power as the BMW 335 (3.0L inline 6 twin-turbocharged, 300hp). So the first number indicates the series, the second number which will be a two digit will basically tell you that the higher it is the more power the vehicle makes. In the BMW world, the higher the number equals the more luxuries and power. 

Now this is where most people get confused, every BMW model will have a letter or even letters after the three digit number. For example: BMW 540D X-Drive, BMW 745e, BMW X3 XDrive30i, etc. The letter indications themselves are quite simple. 

• i: indicates gasoline engine

• d: indicates diesel engine

• e: indicates a plug-in hybrid 

• x: indicates BMW’s XDrive all-wheel drive system 

• L: indicates a long wheelbase version of a model 

• M: indicates a high-performance model 

• s: indicates a standard two-wheel drive system 

The suvs themselves will usually almost every time be just a one letter to one number model name. The BMW suvs and small suvs consist of X1’s, X3’s, X4’s, X5’s and so on. 

We know BMW today for their luxurious vehicles and the performance that these vehicles put out, but BMW didn’t originally start up by producing vehicles. Honestly quite the opposite. 

BMW’s Aircraft and History….

BMW was originally founded in 1916 under the name Bayerische Flugzeugwerke and was then later named Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW), BMW at this time was not recognized for their vehicles but instead recognized for their aircraft. BMW’s first product was a straight-six aircraft engine called the BMW llla. BMW created/produced aircraft for the German military during World War I, their BMW llla was used in the Fokker D. VII fighter plane. Which was cool while it lasted and it didn’t last very long at all. After the World War, the Treaty of Versailles banned Germany from producing aircraft engines. This treaty ultimately shifted BMW to diversify… 

Post-War challenges forcing BMW to diversify led them to focusing on motorcycles. The first motorcycle was introduced in 1923, BMW called it the R32, which featured a flat-twin boxer engine. To this day the design remains a hallmark of BMW motorcycles. BMW quickly established a reputation for racing success with their motorcycles and this one specifically! 

BMW went back and forth with producing aircraft engines and motorcycles, and yet again in the 30’s to early 40’s, BMW was allowed to produce aircraft engines again. During this period of time BMW was known for their aircraft and motorcycles. Here’s a list of key motorcraft engines and notable motorcycle innovations:  

Aircraft

• BMW llla: A water-cooled in-line 6-cylinder engine used in the Fokker D.VII, known for its performance & reliability 

• BMW 801: A powerful radial engine used in the FW190 fighter plane

• BMW 003: A pioneering axial-flow turbojet engine   

Motorcycles

• BMW R32: flat-twin boxer engine, started the tradition of shaft drive, which was used on all BMW motorcycles until 1994

• BMW R37: produced from 1925-1926, was BMW’s first sporting model 

• BMW R 12 & BMW R 17: both introduced in 1935, first production motorcycles with hydraulically damped telescopic forks

• BMW R 71 746 cc: big flat-twin, it was the icon of BMW, only 2,638 were built 

BMW’s last aircraft engine produced was in 1945 after World War II, but BMW has yet to quit producing motorcycles. To this day BMW still creates motorcycles under their BMW Motorrad Division and they are very known for the motorcycles they produce!