BMW enthusiasts talk in chassis codes: E90, F30, G20. Parts are made for them too. A grille for an F30 won't fit a G20, even though both are sold as the 3 Series. If you know your chassis code, you can shop with confidence. If you don't, this guide shows you how to find it in about two minutes.
What a chassis code is
A chassis code is BMW's internal name for one generation of a model, and often for one body style within that generation. The letter at the front tells you roughly how old the design is:
- E codes cover generations launched up to the late 2000s, such as the E30 and E46 3 Series, the E90 family and the E84 X1.
- F codes cover generations launched from 2008 onwards, such as the F01 7 Series, F10 5 Series and F30 3 Series.
- G codes cover generations launched from 2015 onwards, such as the G11 7 Series, G30 5 Series and G20 3 Series.
The newest models use further letters, such as the U11 X1.
Within one generation, body styles often have their own codes. The E90-generation 3 Series, for example, is the E90 saloon, E91 Touring, E92 coupé and E93 convertible. The F30-generation 3 Series includes the F30 saloon, F31 Touring, F34 Gran Turismo and F35 long-wheelbase saloon, with the F80 for the M3. Body parts often differ between these, while many interior parts are shared, which is why product pages list every code a part fits.
Step 1: find your VIN
Your vehicle identification number (VIN) has 17 characters. You will find it:
- on your registration document
- on the label in the driver's door pillar, which on many cars also shows the month and year of production
- on a plate visible through the windscreen on many cars
Step 2: decode it
It's tempting to look for the chassis code inside the VIN, but it isn't there. The first three characters identify the manufacturer. Characters 4 to 7 are BMW's type code, which identifies the exact model variant, but it isn't the E, F or G code. The last seven characters are the car's serial number, and parts catalogues often ask for just those.
The quickest route is to enter the full VIN into a free online BMW VIN decoder. It shows:
- the chassis code, such as F30 or G20
- the production date, which tells you whether your car is a pre-LCI or LCI (facelift) version
- the factory options, which matter for parts such as climate control buttons
Step 3: cross-check with the model-year table
If you only have the model name and year, you can usually narrow it down with a table. These are approximate production years for the most common generations:
| Model | Chassis code | Years (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Series | E81 / E82 / E87 / E88 | 2004-2013 |
| 1 Series | F20 / F21 | 2011-2019 |
| 3 Series | E46 | 1997-2006 |
| 3 Series saloon | E90 | 2005-2011 |
| 3 Series Touring | E91 | 2005-2012 |
| 3 Series coupé and convertible | E92 / E93 | 2006-2013 |
| 3 Series saloon and Touring | F30 / F31 | 2011-2019 |
| 3 Series saloon and Touring | G20 / G21 | 2019 onwards |
| 4 Series | F32 / F33 / F36 | 2013-2021 |
| 5 Series | E60 / E61 | 2003-2010 |
| 5 Series | F10 / F11 | 2010-2017 |
| 5 Series | G30 / G31 | 2017-2024 |
| X3 | F25 | 2010-2017 |
| X3 | G01 | 2017-2024 |
| X5 | E70 | 2006-2013 |
| X5 | F15 | 2013-2018 |
| X5 | G05 | 2018 onwards |
Our Find your chassis code page has the full table for every series, from the 1 Series to the Z4, with a link to the parts for each code.
Where people go wrong
- Using the registration date instead of the build date. A car can be registered months after it was built, so a car first registered in 2012 can still be an earlier generation or a pre-LCI version. Where generations overlap, the VIN settles it.
- Assuming the model name is enough. "3 Series, 2012" could be an E90-family car or an F30. Imported and late-registered cars make this more likely.
- Forgetting the body style. An F31 Touring and an F30 saloon share a lot, but not rear bumpers, spoilers or tail lights. Check that your exact code is in the part's fitment table.
- Forgetting the M code. M models have their own codes, such as the F80 M3, F82 M4 and F87 M2, and their bumpers and some trim differ from the standard cars.
After you know your code
With your chassis code, you can go straight to the parts listed for it. Every product we sell has a fitment table with the chassis codes, approximate years and notes such as LCI or pre-LCI and left- or right-hand drive. If your code is in the table and the notes match your car, it is covered by our fit guarantee.
Two more checks are worth a minute:
- LCI or pre-LCI. Many generations were facelifted part-way through production, and lights and bumpers often changed. Our guide LCI or pre-LCI? What BMW's facelift means when you buy parts explains how to tell.
- Drive side. Door pulls, switch packs, dashboard trim and headlights can differ between left- and right-hand-drive cars.
Still not sure? Email your VIN or a photo of the part you want to replace to info@bmwmods.com and we will tell you which chassis code and parts match your car.