BMW identificationplate What does it mean?

[uwbuurman]

Gents,

My e30 325i automatic cabrio misses it's identification plate, which dissapeared after a paintjob, several years ago. So I ordered a new one at BMWs, but they onley have blanc ones. To get the right numbers on mine, I need to know what the numbers and codes stand for, so who can help me with that?

This one is of an e30 320i:



this one is of an e30 325i:



whats the meaning of numbers 1 till 7?



1= ? 320i says nothing and the 325i Cabrio S5 of 85 what does this mean?
2= ? the 320i says - and the 325i cabrio ABE E147 what does this mean?
3= Vin number
4= ? empty weight??
5= ? empty weight + max trailer weight??
6= ? ?
7= ? ?

Who can help me?
Who can profide me with a photo of an e30 325i automatic cabriolet?

[David Mc]

This will help a little http://s224.photobucket.com/user/akorco ... 1.gif.html, but the VIN will include other information like check digits and the production number, which you can't fabricate. If you have the original owner's manual or service handbook for the car, the VIN is usually written in by the dealer at the time of original sale. Alternatively (at least in Australia) the VIN is recorded on your registration papers/label.

[uwbuurman]

Thanks! I have rhat list already. Its not the vin I'm after, actually nr 2, above the vin is the only one I still don't know. Who knows what that code means?

[Jeroen]

Not sure, but on most models this is not filled in. It may be reserved for country specific approval for mods like the German Allgemeine Betrieb Erlaubnis (ABE). This is required if a technical modification is done that deviates from the original roadworthyness approval. Normally this is done afterwards and noted in the vehicle registration only (to stick to the German ABE example: in the Fahrzeugbrief). This depends on the country, in Holland there is no such additional approval, mods are evaluated on an individual basis during initial and annual checks.

So if this would be on the VIN plaque this would mean that a deviation from the original model approval specification for that country was implemented during production. For example if 16" wheels were factory fitted while the model approval was only for 14 and 15" wheels. That would be my best guess.

[Oz E21]

Hi fellas,
I am also interested in this topic. I have finally found a decent looking e21 but it seems only the last 7 digits of the vin number are recorded on the ID plate, and therefore am missing the first 10 digits, (example:WBAAH3209Cxxxxxxx).

Does anyone know if these first 10 digits are identical on all e21 323i coupes or were there variations?

Also, I believe the chart in the link kindly provided by David Mc might not be complete because vin number WBAAH3209Cxxxxxxx was actually from an e21 323i coupe that I also contemplated buying. If compared to the linked chart, digits 5, 7,8,9 and 10 are not correctly referenced or are missing altogether.

The reason for the request: theft, major accidents/damage and money owing to financial institutions are recorded against the vin number in the national Australian database (perhaps the same in overseas markets) and is useful information when looking at purchasing the car.

Thank you kindly

[uwbuurman]

If you pm me the complete vin nr, I can tell you what it means.

[Jeroen]

Hi fellas,
I am also interested in this topic. I have finally found a decent looking e21 but it seems only the last 7 digits of the vin number are recorded on the ID plate, and therefore am missing the first 10 digits, (example:WBAAH3209Cxxxxxxx).

Sounds like an early example, believe the unified 17 digit VIN numbers were introduced around 1980 so it looks like the car you found doesn't have the long VIN yet, same on my 320/4

[Oz E21]

Ok uwbuurman and Jeroen, all I have is 7255004.

I have just found one web based vin checker that recognised it (www.etk.cc). Does that mean that's the full sequence for the early ones?

[Jeroen]

Sep 79 RHD 323i auto?

That is the full VIN indeed

[uwbuurman]

Jep, mine is a 1978 323i. Also has only 7 digit vin.

[uwbuurman]

At BMW classic, you can buy a certificate with all the details on your car, based on how it left the factory. I have it on 3 of my cars. Fun to have, it doesnt do anyting but collecting dust.

[Oz E21]

Excellent, thanks guys for that.
Uwbuurman I think I would make the certificate irrelevant quite quickly, starting with that lazy automatic gearbox.

[uwbuurman]

haha, true

[crazyarms1956]

Did the certificate from BMW classic list the special accessories, like second mirror, recaro seats or things like that ?

[uwbuurman]

Yes. It states how the car legt the Factory, what the exact building date was en when it was delivered to which party. So my e30 was build on November 25, 1986 and delivered to the Dutch importer two days later. I know all the extra's in the car from Factory and all. Just fun to have.