BMW Glossary / Lingo

[thrillcat]

For the noobs among us, like me, who want to start learning to DIY their projects and find a ton of great information here, but aren't picking up on all the abbreviations and shorthand...I'm going to start compiling a list. Thank you in advance to anyone who contributes. These first come from TerminatorX5.


Angel Eyes (devil eyes) - corona lights, introduced with face lifted E39

Bifecta - When the DSC and BRAKE lights come on simultaneously in the instrument cluster. TIP: If this happens, test Cruise Control as well to help troubleshoot. See also "Trifecta".

CCV - Crank Case Ventilation system/valve, aka oil separator
CDC - Compact Disk Changer
Clown Nose - the red LED light on the bottom of the mirror, blinks to indicate alarmed state
CPO - Certified Pre-Owned

DRL - Daytime Running Lights
DSC - Dynamic Stability Control
DMM - Digital Multimeter, inexpensive & invaluable tool used for measuring voltage, current and resistance.
DSP - Digital Sound Processor

iBus - information Bus (copper wire that media info travels throughout the car)

LCM - Lighting Control Module

MK1=MKI
MK2=MKII
MK3=MKIII
MK4=MKIV - these are nav computer generations in iBus cars (from 1994 to 2007 - dates are approximate)
MOST - Media Oriented System Transport, fiber optic bus that replaced the iBus, started in 2002 with 7 series, now all bimmers have MOST

Nav - navigation

PDC - Park Distance Control

SIA/SII - Service Interval System/Indicator. This is the system that tells you when it's time to change your oil again.
Shark Fin - the antenna style on the roof
SLS - Self Leveling Suspension

Talking Head - image of a talking head on the steering wheel, associated with Voice Recogntion and telephone functions
TPMS - tire pressure monitoring system
Trifecta - When the ABS, DSC and BRAKE lights come on simultaneously in your instrument cluster. TIP: If this happens, test Cruise Control as well to help troubleshoot. See also "Bifecta".

[TerminatorX5]

E12 - 5 series from 02/1972 to 06/1981
E28 - 5 series from 11/1980 to 12/1987
E34 - 5 series from 06/1987 to 12/1995 (sedan) to 06/1996 (universal/touring)
E39 - 5 series from 02/1995 to 07/2003 (sedan) to 12/2003 (universal/touring)
E60 - 5 series from 12/2001 to 12/2009 (sedan)
E61 - 5 series from 10/2002 to 05/2010 (universal/touring)
F07 - 5 series from 09/2008, break in production to 01/2009 to present (Grand Tourismo)
F10 - 5 series from 01/2009 to present (sedan)
F11 - 5 series from 01/2009 to present (universal/touring)


This info is for entertainment only, some dates refer to production of test mules, media vehicles, special vehicles, individual vehicles and protection vehicles...
If i have a chance, i will look up the 3 series

[TerminatorX5]

E53 - X5 4.6is - 01/23/2001 to 09/18/2003 about 3,258 units manufactured worldwide based on some data (LHD)
(first and last left hand drive, both Estoril Blue, first one is a test mule, last one went to Canada)

E53 - X5 4.8is - 11/05/2003 to 08/30/2006 about 4,019 units manufactured worldwide based one some data (LHD)
(first and last left hand drive, both Imola Red, first one went to Canada)
of these, the


2004 4.8is - 1,040 units
2005 4.8is - 1,509 units
2006 4.8is - 1,469 units

2004-2006 RHD - 1,733 units

those are preliminary numbers...