BMW info...
E36 = chassis designation (For instance F-body, SN-95, etc..)
3 = class/series (small, 5-midsize, 7-large, etc..)
25 = 2.5 I-6 engine (that isn't how the current E90/91/92/93 cars are though. They are all 3.0 even though they are designated 325, 328, etc.).
So if anyone asks you have a 1997 (E36) 325i...