Updated at: 18-09-2021 - By: Lucas

When you drive a BMW, you do so because you love the styling, the performance, and the way it feels to drive one of these masterpieces.

But did you know that there are many different types of BMW automobiles? And that each one has its own unique characteristics? If you’re not sure what type of BMW you have, then this guide will show you how to spot the differences between them, and give you the low-down on the specific type of BMW that is right for you.

Types of BMW

1 Series

bmw-1-series

The 1 Series is the entry level model in the BMW lineup. It comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, a CD player, power windows, power steering, and air conditioning.

The 1 Series also comes with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission.

The interior of the 1 Series is simple and clean. It has bucket seats, an AM/FM stereo with two speakers, a cassette player, and adjustable pedals. There is also a center console separating the front and rear passengers.

Other features include an outside temperature display, and dual front and rear reading lights.

2 Series

bmw-2-series

The 2-Series is one of the most successful cars in automotive history. It was introduced in 1974 and has been continuously updated ever since.

The 2-Series offers a choice of two or four-cylinder engines, automatic or manual gearbox and three trim levels: Standard, Deluxe and Luxury.

The 2-Series comes in a wide variety of body styles including coupé, convertible, hatchback, and van. In total, there are 35 different models in this range.

All 2-Series models have independent rear suspension with stabilizer bars and a live rear axle.

3 Series

bmw-3-series

The 3 Series is the largest model in the BMW lineup. It comes in either a sedan or a wagon version. The sedan has a trunk and seats five people. The wagon has a large rear cargo area and seats seven people.

Both versions are spacious, comfortable, and very well-equipped. The interior features include leather upholstery, a wood-grain dash, and a navigation system.

The 3 Series is powered by a straight six engine that produces 300 horsepower and comes with either a six-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. The suspension on this vehicle is very firm, which means it will handle well and be very comfortable on the road.

Handling is enhanced by a steering wheel that has power assist and a tilt and telescoping column. This car has a top speed of 130 mph and can go from 0-60 in 6.5 seconds.

The 3 Series comes in either sedan or wagon form and is one of the best choices for families or anyone who needs a vehicle that is comfortable, spacious, and well-equipped.

4 Series

bmw-4-series

The 4 series is the entry level model in BMW’s line of automobiles. It is the least expensive model in the entire BMW lineup.

The 4 series comes in two trim levels: the 328i and the 328is. The 328i comes with a 2 liter four cylinder engine that produces 170 horsepower. This is enough power to get the car going, but it won’t take you very far.

The 328is gets a larger 3 liter four cylinder engine that produces 200 horsepower. This gives the car a much more powerful punch.

It also comes with all of the standard features found on the other models in the 4 series. The 4 series comes standard with power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks, AM/FM radio, and air conditioning.

5 Series

bmw-5-series

The 5 series is the flagship model of the BMW range of cars and it is currently in its 15th generation. It was first introduced in 1975 and has been continuously updated ever since. It is currently available as a 3- or 5-door hatchback, a 2- or 4-door sedan, a wagon and a convertible.

All models are powered by a choice of a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower or a larger 3-liter 6-cylinder engine with either 180 or 230 horsepower. The 3- and 5-door hatchbacks are both front-wheel drive while the 2- and 4-door sedans and the wagon are all rear-wheel drive.

All 5-series models come equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission except the 3-door hatchback which comes standard with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The 5-series is one of the most comfortable, well-equipped and stylish cars on the road. It is also one of the most expensive cars you can buy.

6 Series

bmw-6-series

The 6 Series is one of the best-selling cars in the world. It’s a large luxury car that is also very practical. This model was introduced in 1987 and it continues to be a top seller to this day. The current generation of the 6 series has been around since 2010 and it is the best yet.

It has a lot of standard features that are included as a matter of course. These include heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, satellite radio, a six speaker audio system with CD player and USB input, power locks, power windows, and more.

You can get a 6 Series with all of the above features for less than $30,000. This is a large, luxurious car that will comfortably seat five adults and their gear. It has plenty of power, looks great, and is very comfortable to drive.

It is the perfect car for any family looking for something that is practical, yet elegant.

7 Series

bmw-series-7

The 7 series is the top of the line of BMW automobiles. It was introduced in 1990 and has been continuously improved ever since.

The 7 series is powered by a high-output, turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine that delivers 310 horsepower and is mated to a smooth shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.

The interior of the 7 series is very luxurious. It features a wide array of standard and optional features that include leather upholstery, a Bose stereo with 6 CD changer, power adjustable pedals, a trip computer, a compass, and more.

8 Series

bmw-8-series

The 8 series is the big brother of the 7 series. It comes with all the same features but has a little more power and a little more towing capacity. It also has a higher seating position which gives you a more commanding view of the road.

The interior is very luxurious and it comes with many high-tech gadgets. The engine is a straight 6 cylinder unit with twin turbos. It produces 300 horsepower at 5,500 RPM and is mated to an 8 speed automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shift.

It has a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. This makes it great for hauling boats, RVs, and other large vehicles.

Z Series

The Z series is BMW’s flagship model. It’s a large, luxurious, sedate sedan that is intended to be driven by the well-heeled executive. The name “Z” stands for “zero”, which is appropriate because there are no models in the range with engines larger than 3.0 liters. All of the Z cars have six-cylinder engines and are rear wheel drive. They are all very comfortable, smooth-riding, well-balanced vehicles and offer a lot of interior room.

The styling of the Z series is conservative and elegant. The front end of the car features a large, upright grille with thin bars and a bumper that is adorned by twin headlamps. The rear of the car features a sleek, integrated spoiler that is designed to help improve the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Z4

bmw z4

The Z4 is a mid-engine sports car that was first introduced by BMW in 1984. It features a 4-cylinder engine with fuel injection and a top speed of 130 mph. The Z4 has a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional automatic transmission.

The Z4 is very light, weighing only 3,200 pounds. It has a low center of gravity which gives it a very sporty handling feel. The Z4 is available in two different body styles: A hardtop coupe and a convertible.

The convertible version has a fold-down soft top. Both the hardtop and the soft top versions have very spacious and comfortable interiors. The interior of the Z4 is extremely well-designed and thoughtfully appointed.

X Series

X1

 BMW X1

The X1 is the first model in the new “X” line of BMWs. It features a turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 240 horsepower at 6,250 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. The X1 also comes with a 7-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel mounted shift paddles.

The X1 is available in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive model comes with a locking center differential. The X1 comes standard with a host of safety features, including electronic stability control, brake assist, brake force distribution, traction control, and a rollover protection system.

X2

bmw x2

The X2 series is BMW’s entry level luxury car. It is available with a 2 liter 4 cylinder engine or a larger 3 liter 6 cylinder engine. The base model comes standard with air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows, AM/FM stereo with a CD player, and a cassette player. 

A few optional features on the base model include a rear view camera, leather seats, a trip computer, a garage door opener, and satellite radio.

The X2 comes with a 5 speed manual transmission or an automatic transmission with overdrive. The X2 has a wheelbase of 104 inches and a length of 179.5 inches. The curb weight is 3,390 pounds.

The X2 gets an EPA estimated highway mileage of 14 miles per gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway. The X2 is a good choice for those who want a reliable, no-nonsense vehicle that won’t cost a fortune to maintain. It is popular with first time buyers and young families.

X3

bmw x3

The X3 is the top of the line in BMW’s SUV lineup. It features a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 300 horsepower and comes with either a 6-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

This model also comes with a long list of standard features such as leather upholstery, power adjustable pedals, a rearview camera, an MP3 player, a CD player with six speakers, a USB port, power locks, windows, power steering, remote keyless entry, an overhead console, and a trip computer.

This model can tow up to 5,000 pounds and comes with a full set of wheel bearings. It comes with either 17-inch alloy wheels or 16-inch steel wheels.

X4

bmw x4

The X4 is the sportier of the two SUVs in the X-Series. It features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 240 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque.

This engine sends power to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting mode. The all-wheel drive system comes standard on all models.

Standard features on the X4 include a 360-watt, 10-speaker Bose audio system, a rearview camera, power-adjustable pedals for the driver and front passenger, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power tailgate.

Optional features on the X4 include a power sunroof, a navigation system, heated front seats, a power-adjustable steering column, and a blind-spot monitoring system.

X5

bmw x5

The X5 is the top of the line model in the X series and comes standard with all the luxury amenities you would expect. The X5 is built on a robust and durable unibody construction which provides outstanding strength and ride quality.

Inside, the X5 features a luxurious and spacious interior. It has a split-folding rear seat that can be configured in a variety of ways to meet your needs.

The X5 also comes with a wide range of standard and optional equipment. Some of the standard features include: a power sunroof, power front and rear windows, power door locks, power steering, a trip computer, and a CD player with 6 speakers.

 Optional features include a DVD player, heated seats, a navigation system, an upgraded audio system, a garage door opener, and much more.

X6

bmw x6

The X6 is a full-size SUV that was introduced by BMW in 1999. It is available in two wheel drive or four wheel drive and is powered by a 333 horsepower V8 engine. The standard towing capacity of the X6 is 7,500 pounds.

The interior of the X6 is very spacious and has been designed with comfort in mind. The X6 comes standard with power windows, power door locks, power adjustable pedals, power steering, power brakes, power seats, AM/FM stereo with CD player and six speakers, and much more.

Many luxury features are standard on the X6 including heated front and rear seats, leather upholstery, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. A few options you might consider are a navigation system, an upgraded sound system, a sunroof, and a DVD player.

X7

bmw x7

The X7 is the high-performance version of the X5 crossover SUV. It features a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine that produces an astounding 450 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. This engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission with Drivelogic that provides exceptional shift quality and efficiency.

The X7 also gets a number of other luxury features such as a sunroof, power-operated bi-folding rear seats, heated power-operated front and rear seats, power-operated tailgate, and much more.

The X7 also comes in either a 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive configuration. The 4-wheel drive model comes standard with low range gearing, while the all-wheel drive model comes standard with high range gearing. 

i Series

The i series is BMW’s entry level model and comes in three distinct versions: the i3, the i8, and the i8 Spyder. All three are all electric vehicles with a range of up to 100 miles and a top speed of up to 90 mph.

They are designed to be economical, fun to drive, and very stylish. The styling of the i series is unmistakably modern, with clean lines and a flowing design.

The i3 and the i8 are both available in two distinct trim levels: the base model and the “Design” model. The “Design” trims feature a more upscale interior and a few additional features. The i8 Spyder is only available in the “Design” trim.

The base model of the i3 comes standard with 17-inch wheels, while the “Design” model gets 18-inch wheels as standard equipment. All three models come with a 60kWh lithium-ion battery, which gives them a range of up to 100 miles.

FAQS

Brief explanation Types of BMW vehicles?

There are three main types of BMW’s. The first is the “sport” model. This is the one you would most likely drive if you just bought the car. It has low-performance tires, it doesn’t come with very much optional equipment, and it is generally well-kept.Sport models typically have manual transmissions and rear-wheel drive.

The second type of BMW is the “M” model. This is a more luxurious vehicle. It comes with lots of optional equipment, including power brakes, power steering, power seats, and a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.Most M’s also have front-wheel drive and are equipped with heavy-duty suspension.

The third type of BMW is the “X” model. The X’s are extremely high-performance cars. They have very light-weight bodies, high-performance tires, and are equipped with all-wheel drive. In addition to that, they come with a six-speed manual transmission and, if they are fitted with the optional M performance package, they also have a limited-slip differential. What you should look for in a car is something that feels right to you. If you like to drive fast but are not at all concerned about getting into an accident, then an X model is probably not for you.

 What is the difference between a 3-series and a 5-series?

A 3-Series has two valves per cylinder, while a 5-Series has four.This allows a 5-Series to deliver more horsepower for a given engine displacement than a 3-Series.

However, it also makes the 5-Series much more difficult to tune. A 3-Series has a carburetor; a 5-Series has an electronic fuel injection system.

Conclusion

Bmw is one of the most famous car manufacturers and they have produced many different types of cars. Some of them are luxury cars, some of them are sports cars, some of them are vans and others are trucks. Actually, all bmw vehicles have the same basic parts but, the designs of their bodies are very different.

You should learn how to identify all of the different types of bmw vehicles. Once you know how to identify them, you can drive or sell any type of bmw vehicle without any problems.

Hope you enjoy reading this article!