What is the correct model name of our E9X M3?

[han405]

It is S65B40 or S65B40A...

I see S65B40 more widely used, but it may not be correct.
People might just use this partial model number to make it more similar to other BMW engine model numbers. i.e., S54B32 or N55B30, etc..

Does anyone know?

Or is there any difference between S65B40 and S65B40A??
anyone knows from reliable sources? (please, no Wikipedia)

Thanks in advance!

[aajami]

I've seen it both ways, though without the "A" much more often. If Le Mans Blue M3 was still around, he'd know

[henryyxyu]

I think the 'A' might stand for automatic. I've seen dealerships advertise their cars as 328iA and 535iA with the added 'A' at the end to state that the car is an automatic (die-hard DCT fans don't flame me )

[aajami]

Originally Posted by henryyxyu

I think the 'A' might stand for automatic. I've seen dealerships advertise their cars as 328iA and 535iA with the added 'A' at the end to state that the car is an automatic (die-hard DCT fans don't flame me )

The "A" in this case is affixed to the end of the engine code. It would make no sense for the "A" to stand for automatic, given that the engine is transmission agnostic.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by aajami

I've seen it both ways, though without the "A" much more often. If Le Mans Blue M3 was still around, he'd know

Seriously, I miss that guy, and quite a few other high quality posters that have joined the ranks of the disappeared (willingly or unwillingly). But that's the life cycle of a forum I guess....

[aajami]

Found the answer (sort of) in an old thread that I remembered reading where Le Mans Blue M provided part of the answer. The link to the chart is courtesy of Southlight:



The "A" is the power output class of the engine. Unfortunately, the chart doesn't state what "A" stands for. I'll dig around some more...

[quality_sound]

I must be a nerd but I think that's pretty cool.

[H2]

I believe they are both correct, and that S65B40 is just the short version for S65B40A. Since there aren't multiple S65B40 engine codes, it's unnecesary to say S65B40A.

Some engine codes have multiple designations and use "engine concept" codes to help differentiate them. Some examples:

M20B20E: E=einspritzung (fuel injection)
M20B20K: K=katalysator (catalytic converter)
M20B20V: V=vergaser (carburator)

There are other codes also (t=turbo as in M51D25T). I don't know what the "A" stands for; it seems to be a new engine concept code. I'm sure it stands for something in German.

[han405]

Originally Posted by aajami

Found the answer (sort of) in an old thread that I remembered reading where Le Mans Blue M provided part of the answer. The link to the chart is courtesy of Southlight:



The "A" is the power output class of the engine. Unfortunately, the chart doesn't state what "A" stands for. I'll dig around some more...

Cool table, but that leads to more questions...
Take S54B32 engine for example, The Engine System code is 4, per the table, the description of Engine System code 4 is Gasoline Direct Injection with Turbocharger...

Well, I spent 2 hours looking for a turbocharger on my E46 M3 engine, but couldn't find one. haha

very

What is the source of the table, may I ask? (edit: Did a bit of google-ing and found the same table in a 2007 engine introduction pdf..)

[han405]

Originally Posted by H2

I believe they are both correct, and that S65B40 is just the short version for S65B40A. Since there aren't multiple S65B40 engine codes, it's unnecesary to say S65B40A.

Some engine codes have multiple designations and use "engine concept" codes to help differentiate them. Some examples:

M20B20E: E=einspritzung (fuel injection)
M20B20K: K=katalysator (catalytic converter)
M20B20V: V=vergaser (carburator)

There are other codes also (t=turbo as in M51D25T). I don't know what the "A" stands for; it seems to be a new engine concept code. I'm sure it stands for something in German.

In the name of practicality, no, the trailing letter "A" in S65B40A is absolutely unnecessary. I totally agree.

However, if the official, COMPLETE engine designation contains the tailing letter "A", then any shortened variation will be incomplete, or just simply wrong. (being very picky, of course.)

I think what's important now is, a few others and i would like to find out what the letter "A" represents in this case..

thanks

[aajami]

Originally Posted by han405

Cool table, but that leads to more questions...
Take S54B32 engine for example, The Engine System code is 4, per the table, the description of Engine System code 4 is Gasoline Direct Injection with Turbocharger...

Well, I spent 2 hours looking for a turbocharger on my E46 M3 engine, but couldn't find one. haha

very

What is the source of the table, may I ask? (edit: Did a bit of google-ing and found the same table in a 2007 engine introduction pdf..)

Likewise, the "5" in S65 indicates Double VANOS and Valvetronic, and I don't believe our engines have Valvetronic. I think that chart provides general indications of engine types than an actual hard-and-fast rule for any and all BMW engines.

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by aajami

I've seen it both ways, though without the "A" much more often. If Le Mans Blue M3 was still around, he'd know

yes your right what happened to lemans blue M3?

[pmeloche]

Originally Posted by bobbyd1961

yes your right what happened to lemans blue M3?

He got banned because his spelling was not very good. You should watch yourself. It's "you're" not "your".