How to Identify BMWs

1. Check the model number to the right hand side of the back of your car's trunk. You'll find a set of numbers followed by a letter that designates the model of your BMW. The first number of the sequence refers to the series number of your car. The second two digits usually designate the engine displacement of your vehicle so will read '50' if you have a 5.0 liter engine. Many BMWs will also have a letter at the end of the model number such as a 't' to designate a turbo-charged engine or a 'd' to designate diesel.
2. Find your car's Vehicle Identification Number. This can be located in several locations on a BMW but is often found on the steering column, the door frame, on the dashboard, in the left hand wheel arch or on the car's firewall. While this number is likely to mean nothing to the layman, it contains a huge amount of information about your car, from its body style and engine type to where it was manufactured. There are a number of BMW Vehicle Identification Number online decoders that can help you make sense of this. Two are listed in the 'Resources' section.
3. Locate the your engine's information plate which should be visible when you open the hood of your BMW. You'll find an engine number and an engine identification code. These numbers include information about when and where the car was manufactured, engine displacement and the number of cylinders the car has. You'll need this information if ordering parts for your car.