The phrase (E-Code) can be used two ways - to identify BMW automobiles and to describe European specification headlamps. Details regarding both are listed below.
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What are BMW E-Codes?
You will not find these numbers on your car, but E-Codes are widely used to identify BMW automobiles. E-codes were developed by BMW internally, and are so useful BMW enthusiasts discovered them and began referring to their cars using these E-Codes. They only change to signify a major redesign of a series, or the introduction of a new series. The "E" stands for "Entwicklung", the German word for development. Every subsequent BMW model has been given a numerically higher designation at the beginning of its development program including all the prototypes and concepts, hence the gaps in the numbering sequence, the missing numbers indicate the projects that never made it to production. |
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What are European Headlamp E-Codes?
What does "E-Code" mean regarding Headlamps? It's a quick way of referring to a European-specification headlamp. The "E-Code", signified by a capital "E" in a circle on the lens of the lamp, signifies that the lamp has passed the rigid ECE tests for light output, durability beam pattern, etc. These lamps are required in most of the driving world, and permitted in most other places.
The DOT specification covers the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The other is the European regulatory code (E-Code for short). E-Code headlamps are specifically aimed with frensel cuts in the glass (reflector based) or with specialized optics (projector) to direct the light where it's needed - on the road. In Europe, glare light has been reduced down to nearly nothing. You never hear of headlight glare from HID or Halogen bulbs in Europe. This is because headlight rules have been tweaked and have evolved to where it's set up for oncoming driver safety and proper lighting of the road ahead of the vehicle. |