BMW research
BMW M3, M4 and M5 generations by chassis code
By CarWhere Research · Updated
BMW names each generation with a chassis code. The M3 runs E30 (1988–1991 in the US), E36, E46, E90/E92/E93, F80 and today’s G80; the two-door M3 became the M4 in 2015 (F82/F83, then G82/G83). The M5 generations covered here are the E39, E60, F10 and F90. Each page below gives US model years, engine and output by variant, and what changed from the car before.
BMW M3 generations
| Chassis code | US model years | Engine code | Power (hp) | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E30 | 1988–1991 | S14 | 192 | BMW E30 M3 |
| E36 | 1995–1999 | S50, S52 | 240 | BMW E36 M3 |
| E46 | 2001–2006 | S54 | 333 | BMW E46 M3 |
| E90/E92/E93 | 2008–2013 | S65 | 414 | BMW E90/E92/E93 M3 |
| F80 | 2015–2018 | S55 | 425–453 | BMW F80 M3 |
| G80 | 2021–present | S58 | 473–543 | BMW G80 M3 |
BMW M4 generations
| Chassis code | US model years | Engine code | Power (hp) | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| F82/F83 | 2015–2020 | S55 | 425–493 | BMW F82 M4 |
| G82/G83 | 2021–present | S58 | 473–543 | BMW G82 M4 |
BMW M5 generations
| Chassis code | US model years | Engine code | Power (hp) | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E39 | 2000–2003 | S62 | 394 | BMW E39 M5 |
| E60 | 2006–2010 | S85 | 500 | BMW E60 M5 |
| F10 | 2013–2016 | S63 | 560–600 | BMW F10 M5 |
| F90 | 2018–2023 | S63 | 600–627 | BMW F90 M5 |
BMW 3 Series generations
| Chassis code | US model years | Engine code | Power (hp) | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E46 | 1999–2006 | M52, M54 | 170–225 | BMW E46 3 Series |
| F30 | 2012–2019 | N20, N55, N47, B48, B58 | 180–335 | BMW F30 3 Series |
BMW 5 Series generations
| Chassis code | US model years | Engine code | Power (hp) | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E39 | 1997–2003 | M52, M62, M54 | 184–290 | BMW E39 5 Series |
Every other BMW code, from the E21 to the G-series, is on the BMW chassis codes page, and full trim tables are on BMW specs by chassis code.
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Frequently asked questions
How many generations of the BMW M3 are there?
Six: the E30 (US model years 1988–1991), E36 (1995–1999), E46 (2001–2006), E90/E92/E93 (2008–2013), F80 (2015–2018) and G80 (2021 on). BMW itself calls the F80 the fifth and the G80 the sixth generation.
What is the difference between the M3 and the M4?
From the 2015 model year BMW split the two-door cars off as the M4 (F82 coupe, F83 convertible) and kept the M3 name for the four-door sedan (F80). The M3 and M4 of each generation share engines, outputs and gearboxes.
Which M3 has a V8?
Only the fourth-generation E90/E92/E93 M3 (2008–2013), with the 414-hp S65 4.0-liter V8. Every other M3 uses a four-cylinder (E30) or an inline-six.
Which BMW M5 was the first with all-wheel drive?
The F90 M5 (2018–2023), which introduced M xDrive with a selectable rear-drive mode and an 8-speed automatic in place of the dual-clutch gearbox.
How do I tell which generation a used M car is?
Match the US model year to the tables on this page — a 2016 M3 is an F80, a 2016 M4 an F82. The VIN gives the exact model and year, and a build sheet decoded from the VIN lists the factory options.
Sources
US model years, engines and outputs come from the CarWhere BMW spec dataset, which cites BMW Group Newsroom USA press material per generation. Each generation page lists its own numbered sources.
- CarWhere BMW specs by chassis code (per-trim sources listed there) — CarWhere
- BMW Group Newsroom USA — BMW of North America
- BMW Group PressClub USA — BMW of North America
More BMW tools
- BMW tools & data hub
- BMW specs by chassis code
- Compare two BMW trims
- BMW chassis codes explained
- BMW engine codes
- BMW known issues by chassis
- BMW car show window card
- Free BMW VIN decoder
- BMW option codes
- BMW paint codes
Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by BMW AG or BMW of North America. BMW, M and the model names are trademarks of their owner.