As a newbie here can someone tell me what the numbers E30, E36 etc mean? And how do I know which one relates to my car, a 2001 2.2 Auto Z3?
E Numbers
- Thread starter Dalek
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All Z3s are based on the E36. The numbers relate to the models running gear i believe. Like the Z4 is an E85 The Z4 Coupe is an E86 and so on
All the Zed 3 are E36/7. All manufacturers have build codes. BMW use E.... Merc also use E, thinking about it that's a bit odd 
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The E numbers are just BMW's identifiers for the various models. The Z3 is based on and uses components from the 3 series (E36) thus became E36/7 for the roadster and E36/8 for the coupe. For any major design changes/upgrades a new number would be allocated as in the Z4 E85 to the E89.
Thank you Billz.
Thanks GrumpsAll the Zed 3 are E36/7. All manufacturers have build codes. BMW use E.... Merc also use E, thinking about it that's a bit odd
Thanks Eddie
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The front end suspension of a z3 is off the e36 3 series and the rear suspension is off of the older e30 3 series
I believe the rear springs are shorter on a Z3 than an E30. I looked into that recently when trying to find some cheap springs.
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Might also be the same with front as the zed sits lower .
What i should have said is that the z3 suspension is based on the e36 front and e 30 rear
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And if you want to know more http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/bmw/all-the-bmw-e-and-f-codenames-explained/ will tell you. Me, I want one of those F03s, armoured 7 series. Not paranoid or anything, mind.
Interesting. Although I see they wrongly describe the F44-F46 as being 1 Series when in fact they are the 2 Series.And if you want to know more http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/industry-news/bmw/all-the-bmw-e-and-f-codenames-explained/ will tell you. Me, I want one of those F03s, armoured 7 series. Not paranoid or anything, mind.
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Damn, didn't bother fact checking. Guess I'm alright for a job as a proper journalist, then.
I'm sure I came across a similar list somewhere that went into greater detail, but can't be ar5ed digging deeper into the interweb. Dinner beckons, and I'm not one to refuse.
I'm sure I came across a similar list somewhere that went into greater detail, but can't be ar5ed digging deeper into the interweb. Dinner beckons, and I'm not one to refuse.
The E30 rear suspension is because the Z3 was based on the floorpan of the E36 compact which used the E30 rear suspension because there wasn't sufficient room in the modified pan for the E36 Z axle suspension.
Nope not quite.
The rear end is modified e30 as not all the parts are interchangeable ( bushes etc)
But is shared with the E36 compact