What the "S" in 4.8is really means....
 

There is a thread over at Bimmerforums about the name ID on a 4.6is or 4.8is and what the "S" stands for....

I figure there must be someone here that really knows the answer.

Sport

So then why not 4.4is?

"S" = sqeeze my throttle

http://www.spacespider.net/emo/chores009.gif

I'd worry about the guy that asked the question in the first place. If he bought a 4.8is and couldn't work out why it wasn't just a 4.8i, then perhaps he should have bought a 4.4i Sport. It's a bit like asking why an M5 isn't just called a 550i... :tsk:

Although the 4.8is isn't an M car it's the closest BMW is prepared to take the X5 to the M Division philosophy, it even has the same design M dials as the M3/M5, then it has a unique engine, bigger brakes, unique suspension, unique wheels etc. Seems obvious that BMW use the 'is' designation for any sub-M brand model that goes beyond the usual 'Sport' remit (which is typically a mainly cosmetic designation).

I would agree with you, with the notable exception of the 318is. Not sure I'd put that model into that same classification.

So what does the i stand for? I used to think (years ago...) that it meant "fuel injected". But given that just about every vehicle is fuel injected these days, what's the big deal with the i?

BMW was just ahead of the curve - it stands for "internet" :rofl:

:rofl: :bustingup :rofl: :bustingup Touche, Jeff! :rofl: :rofl:

There goes Steve's explanation. Really I don't think BMW's model nomenclature has any specific meaning. For example I've always thought the "c" stands for coupe like 325ci, 330ci. Then where's the c in 645i? :dunno: It's a coupe, isn't it?

I told everyone who asked me this question that the "S" stands for "Supercharged" :)

breyton, it is called the 645Ci. It says so on the BMW site.. Don't worry, I used to make that mistake all the time.

Can anyone tell me what "e" stands for? A friend of mine's dad has something like a 528e or something like that... Economy? I think it's a diesel.

To go back to the original point of the thread, I always thought it was the iS because it was the sport version of the X5... Not that it had the sport package, but that it was the equivalent to an M3/M5...

WAIT!!!!!!!
It just hit me!!!
the "S" is for SHIIIIIIEEEEEEEETTTT!! THATS ALOT OF MONEY!!!
:rofl: :rofl:

BMW uses the following letter for there distinctions.
I = Fuel Injected
S = Sport
C = Coupe
X = All wheel Drive.
D = Diesel
E = ???
L = Long

I believe the "e" stood for "eta" engine (the Greek letter eta stands for the engine's efficiency)

But BMW desided to stop using the c asof the 630i

Go look at any european BMW site, its a 630i, tot a 630Ci
The 650 will also be a 650i, not 650Ci

[QUOTE=X5Speed]Look at the BMWNA site.. It's definitely the 645Ci.

[QUOTE=Curious Joel]Yes, the 645 is a Ci ( the 630i was released after it )

I don't know if anyone here has really been able to define what the "S" means, I wonder if there is a member here from BMWNA or another official BMW location that can really define the "S".

My thought is BMW wanted to create an identity for the 4.6 and 4.8 that would truly stand apart from the 4.4i so they just added the "S" without any significant meaning. :dunno:

:D Thanks for the heads up, CJ. I meant the 630i.

This is the same I've heard. e = Eta.

I thought "L" was for luxury, but maybe that was just for the L6, which I think like the M6 (80s), was a US only model

-Jeff

The L may have been true back then... But I'm pretty sure it means like Long wheelbase... Cause the 745iL, etc...

SO CONFUSING :(

But is the 4.8is engine unique today? I mean, now the 7-series have a 4.8L developing similar ponies. It's the same engine, isn't it?

The X5 4.8is engine originally comes from the hand built ALPINA B10 V8s which got a 4.8-litre 375bhp/376lb ft V8. The 4.8is X5 uses the same engine blue-print handed to BMW by Alpina. I am not sure if the 7 series uses the same engine. :dunno:
Can someone clarify?