For Official Use Only
- keep in a safe place -
Information cut off date: Feb. 2006
 

 
In general
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
Factory plate
Bodywork number
Engine number
Gearbox number
Radio Number
Vehicle keys
Colour catalogue for BMW vehicles

IN GENERAL:

BMW vehicles can be identified from the following numbers:

  Location
Vehicle identification number - VIN - - stamped on the vehicle
  - on the type plate (factory plate)
Bodywork number - on the engine block
Engine Number - on the engine block
Gearbox number (after construction year 1995) - on the gear unit
Radio serial number (14 characters)
[1]
- on the back of the radio or on the Radio-Display
  This is only valid for radios built in during production. Numbers have been issued since 1992.
[1]

 
The locations can vary according to model. The locations are shown in the following pictures.
 
It is not possible to identify a vehicle with the number of the locking system.
 
The different models:

BMW-Mini Cooper
Mini Cooper   Mini Cooper Cabrio
  

The 1 Series
E 87 (2004 -)

The 3 Series
E 30 Saloon (1985 - 1993)   E 36 Saloon (1990 - 1998)

E 46 (1998 - 2005)   E 90 (2005 -)

 
The 5 Series
E 28 (1981 – 1988)   E 34 (1989 - 1995)
  

E 39 (1995 – 2003)   E 60/61 (2003 -)

 
The 6 Series
E 24 (1982 – 1989)   E 63/64 (2003 -)

 
The 7 Series
E 32 (1986 – 1994)   E 38 (1994 - 2001)

E 65/66 (2001 -)      

   
  
The 8 Series
E 31 Coupé (1990 - 1999)

 
The X Series
X 3 - E 83 (2003 -)     X 5 - E 53 (1999 -)

 
The Z Series
Z 1 (1989 – 1991)   Z 3 - E 36/7 (1996 - 2002)

Z 4 - E85 (2002 -)   Z 8 - E 52 (2000 – 2003)

 
       Back to page 1
 
 1.     Vehicle identification number (VIN):

1.1  Location of the vehicle identification number (VIN)

 
--On the scuttle panel - on the right, in the direction of travel --
 

The 3 Series: E 30 and E 36

The 5 Series: E 28 and E 34
The 7 Series: E23 and E32
The 6 Series: E 24
The 8 Series: E 31

   
--on the right suspension strut dome (or turret)--
   

The new 1 Series: E 87

Series: E 46 and new 3 Series: E 90
The 5 Series: E 39 and E 60/61
The 6 Series: E 63
New 7 Series: E 38 and E65/66
X5
Z4
Z8

   
--In the engine compartment, on the right, as seen from the direction of travel, on the bulkhead between the
battery and engine compartment--
   
  X 3

   
--In the engine compartment, on the right, as seen from the direction of travel, on the bulkhead between the
battery and engine compartment--
 
BMW Z 1 (see image below)
 
--In the engine compartment, central, on the engine end plate (difficult to see)--
 

BMW Z 3
BMW Z 1

   
--on the right suspension strut dome--
 

MINI One – MINI Cooper –

MINI Cooper S

 
 1.2  VIN Lettering

 
Previous fonts:

On the E 38, E 39 and E 46 suspension strut dome:

The E 87 suspension strut dome 

 
 The BMW symbol appears at both ends of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

 
Exception:
 
Replacement bodyshells are not given a VIN by the works. The VIN is stamped by a workshop or garage. If a VIN is
wrongly stamped, it is crossed out and re-stamped using semiautomatic stamping equipment.
 
Application of the VIN to the E46 Series (new 3 Series)
 
Since production began in 1998/1998, the VIN has only ever been engraved and not stamped on BMW models of the
E 46 Series. As the paint layer is damaged by this process, the manufacturer attaches a protective film over the top to
prevent corrosion. The VIN appears rather lighter (more metallic) than was the case with the VINs of older vehicles.
This method is also used on the new 1 Series (E87), 3 Series (E90), 5 Series (E 60/61), the new 6 Series (E 63), the
new 7 Series (E 65/66), the X 3 (E 83), the Z4 and all Minis.
 
The VIN for this model is located on the right suspension strut dome (or turret) (viewed from the direction of travel).
 The E 38 Series (7 Series) and the E 39 (5 Series)
The VIN will be stamped on, as previously, for both of these series until production ends. The VIN is also painted
over.
 
Exceptions:
 
The South African production plant:
The VIN is engraved on all series produced from January 2000 onwards.
 
The Spartanburg, USA production plant
Engraving the VIN on models of the X 5 and Z 3 series began in January 2000.
 
The Z 8 Series:
The stamped VIN for this model is located on the right suspension strut dome (or turret) (viewed from the direction of
travel).
 
The E 87 Series (new 1 Series)

 
The E 90 Series (new 3 Series)

 
The E 60/61 (new 5 Series) and E 63 (new 6 Series)

The VIN will then be cleaned and covered with transparent film
 
 The E 65/66 (7 Series)

 
The E 83 (X 3)

 
Stamped VIN on a BMW Z8:

 
VIN on a MINI – engraved and covered with foil

1.3  Composition of the VIN

from 01/79
WBA = World manufacturer identifier code
1831 = Vehicle type code
000 = Filler
1234567 = Numbers, previously 7 digit VIN
 

from 09/80
WBA = World manufacturer identifier code
AH31 = Vehicle type code
0 = Filler
1 = Checkdigit
B = Model year   (B = 1981, V = 1982, C = 1983)
1234567 = Numbers, previously 7 digit VIN
 
from 09/83
WBA = World manufacturer identifier code
AH31 = Vehicle type code
0 = Filler
1 = Checkdigit
0 = Disappearance of the Model Year - Filler
1234567 = Numbers, previously 7 digit VIN
 
From January 1989

WBA GG81 0 9 0 D F86990

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
 
1      = World Manufacturer Identifier Code
                                
WBA = BMW
WBS = BMW Motorsport
4US = BMW US models
WBX = BMW X3 US models
3AV = BMW Mexiko
7B3 = BMW New Zealand
ABM = BMW South Africa
X4X = BMW Kaliningrad
5UX = BMW South Carolina
WMW = MINI (One, Cooper and Cooper S)
 
2      = BMW type code (see list under 1.3.1)
                         
3        = Free number "0"
 
4        = Check number
 
5        = Free number "0"

Exception:
Sometimes the year identifier (X = 1999, Y = 2000, 1 = 2001 etc.) can be found at this position in vehicles delivered
to certain countries, such as USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Israel and Korea. 
 
6        = Place of manufacture (Plant)
 
A+F+K = Munich
B+C+D+G = Dingolfing
E+J = Regensburg
L = Spartanburg (USA)
N+P = Republic of South Africa
R = Mexiko
T = Mini/GB
 

7        = serial number (1 letter + 5 numbers) but 6 numbers are possible from mid 2001!!!

1.3.1   Index of models and variants

The vehicle type is encoded in the VIN in the fourth to the seventh characters. The corresponding tables can be called
up using the links below.
 
  E 87
1 Series    
(1-er, 04- )
         
  E 36 E 46 E 90
3 Series
(3-er, 90-00) (3-er, 98 - ) (3-er, 04 - )
         
  E 34 E 39 E 60/61
5 Series
(5-er, 87-96) (5-er, 95-03) (5-er, 03-)
         
  E 63
6 Series    
(6er, 04- )
         
  E 32  E 38  E 65/66 
7 Series
(7-er, 86-94) (7-er, 94-01) (7-er, 01- )
         
  E 31 
8 Series    
(8-er, 89-99)
         
  E 83 E 53
X Series  
 (X 3, 04- )  (X 5)
         
   Z 1  Z 3  Z 4 (E85) 
Z Series
(88-91) (95- 02) (03 - )
         
  Z 8 
     
(00- 03)
         
  Mini
Mini    
 (2002 - )
 
           Back to page 1
 

2.  Factory Plate:

The aluminium factory plate is riveted onto the body after spraying. The original colour of the car can therefore be
found underneath it.
 

2.1  Location of the factory plate

Series Location
Series Inner side of the right wing
old 3 Series E30 A
old 5 Series E28/E34 A
old 6 Series E24 A
7er E32 and E38 A
old 8 Series E31 A  
Z3 E36/7 A
Z4 E85 A
Z8 E52 A
X3 E83 A
X5 E53 A
 
Series Series Location   suspension strut dome on the right, in the direction of
mid 3 Series E36 B travel
  
Inner side of the left wing or left suspension strut dome

Series Location
Series
5er E39 C
 
new 7 Series E65/66 C
3 Series from MY E46 C
2002

Inner side of the left wing, near the left headlight

Series Location
Series  
3er E46 D

 
Series Location   On the B-spar on the driver’s side, at the bottom on the
Series entry
1er E87 E
3er E90 E
  
On the inner face of the stiffening plate, on the right,
viewed in the direction of travel

Series Location
Series
new 5 Series E60/E61 F  
new 6 Series E63/E64 F

 
On the outer side of the right wing

Series Location
Series  
Mini R50/52/53 G

 
Series Location   On the radiator yoke, on the right, viewed in the
Series direction of travel, upside down
Z1   H
  

2.2  Composition of the identification plate

1 = Sales designation
2 = Engine designation
3 = Colour code - Intern/IAW the Strassenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO) [Road
Traffic Licensing Regulation]) or the Kraftfahrt Bundesamt (KBA) [Federal Office for Motor
Traffic]
4 = Basic headlight beam setting
5 = Euro Number /ABE (Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis) – [general road circulation certificate]
number
6 = 17 character vehicle identification number
7 = Weight details
Cars manufactured for sale in Germany have the letters " "ABE" at the beginning of the number:

- Belgium           „PVA“

- Italy                „DGM“
- France            „AA“
- Spain              „B“
- Great Britain - has an 8 character alphanumeric code
- Switzerland and Sweden - no letter
 
   * Colour codes according to the Kraftfahrt Bundesamt (KBA) [Federal Office for Motor Traffic] codes (in accordance with the enclosed
Strassenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO) [Road Traffic Licensing Regulation]):
0  =  White/Light 4  =  Lila/Violett 8  =  Brown
Blue
1  =  Yellow 5  =  Blue 9  =  Balck
2  =  Orange 6  =  Green 00 =  Exceptions
3  =  Red 7  =  Grey  
 
BMW Motorsport type plate

2.3  The (metal) type plate from 1995 onwards

 
In the course of 1995, the type plate (identification plate) changed as shown below. The European approval
number is on the second line.

In the box with the weights, the second column now includes the weights for use with a trailer.

2.4  The type plate as a sticker plate from 1996 onwards

Immediately after the change to the metal plate, sticker plates were introduced, model by model, in the
form shown below.
 
The sticker is an acrylate safety foil with a black surface covering to display data engraved by laser. The foil
is designed to betray theft by breaking during any attempt to remove it.
 
Since model year 1999 the vehicle colour has been included at the bottom left hand side. The sticker plate
for the Z 3, however, still does not have this information.
 

2. 5  The new sticker factory plate

Since the beginning of the calendar year 2000, the BMW works at Dingolfing has been using a new kind of sticker
plate. The double-layered sticker plate was made with an inbuilt "break-off grain" (see picture), which should make it
impossible to remove the plate without destroying it. Except for America, the new factory plate has since been in use
at all other production plants.
 
In addition, all other vehicle stickers, such as the fuel sticker, the tyre pressure sticker, colour code strip etc., also have
an inbuilt break-off grain.

2.6   Sticker factory plate for the E 60/61 (new 5 Series), E 63 (new 6 Series) and E 83 (X 3)

2.7.  The sticker factory plate on the E 87 Series (new 1 Series) and E 90 (new 3 Series) 

 
 1 Series (E 87)   3 Series (E 90)
    N.B.: The colour code is now alphnumeric

 
The MINI Factory Plate

 
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3.  Bodywork (Body shell) number:

3.1  Location of the body shell number

 
View of the body shell number on the E 60/61 range (new 5 series) and the E 63 (new 6 Series)

View of the body shell number on the E 83 Series (X 3)
A Right suspension strut dome
 B Schließblech des Vorderbaus
C On the cowl panel
   
   
 D  Left suspension strut dome
   
   
   
   
   
   
E 38 Series (7 Series, model year 1999 - 2001) X 5 Model
E 60 range (new 5 Series)
E 63 range (new 6 Series)
 – much dismantling required to make it accessible!
On all old models and the Z 3;
covered by plastic trimming since model year 1990
Z 3 (immediately to the left of the VIN, concealed beneath a plastic lip)
The E 87 Series (1 Series)
The E 46 Series
Series E 39 (5er-Serie)
The E 90 Series (new 3 Series)
The E 38 Series (7 Series, until model year 1999)
Z 8 and Z 4 Series
The E65/66 Series (the latest 7 Series; 735i + 745i)
Series E 83 (X 3)
     MINI One – MINI Cooper – MINI Cooper S
 
MINI - body shell number - left suspension strut dome

3.2  Composition and appearance of the bodyshell number

The body shell number has 8 characters and the BMW symbol normally appears on both sides.

 
What it looks like on the new 1 and 3 Series

 
Exceptions:
Z4 and X5
 
Z 4 body shell number – with nothing at either end to close it off

 
The body shell number used to comprise 8 digits until model year 2003. Letters were introduced in 2003,
beginning at the 5th digit. The image above shows an example on a Z 4, using the letter 'L' in a body shell
number. The image below shows an 'A' in a MINI body shell number.
 
Body shell number MINI

 
The number is stamped onto the body shell before painting and it is then painted.
 
Exception:
New version of the X5
 
The BMW works, the BKA Wiesbaden and the Bavarian LKA can identify vehicles in response to enquiries using the
body shell number.
 
Exception:
Mis-stamping on the X 3
 
The stamping tool broke when the bodywork number was being stamped on at the MagnaSteyr plant in Graz. As a
result the eight character bodywork number had instances of numbers and letters appearing in the wrong order. The
BMW symbol closing off the bodywork number at both ends is also misaligned and the numbers do not have a
uniform basline.
 
Examples:

 
In the production period from mid September to the end of September 2004, only 486 vehicles were mis-stamped.
The series of bodyshell numbers affected was:       4260S425 up to 4264S189 
 
                Back to page 1
 
 4.  Engine number:

4.1  Location of the engine number

The engines installed in the various types of vehicle and the locations of the engine numbers can be
selected via the table below.
 
  E 87
1 Series    
(1-er, 04- )
         
  E 36 E 46  E 90
3 Series
(3-er, 90-00) (3-er, 98 - 04) (3-er, 04 - )
         
  E 34 E 39 E 60
5 Series
(5-er, 87-96) (5-er, 95-03) (5-er, 03-)
  E 61
     
(5-er, 04-)
         
  E 63 E 64
6 Series  
(6er, 04- ) (6er, 04- )
         
  E 32  E 38  E 65/66 
7 Series
(7-er, 86-94) (7-er, 94-01) (7-er, 01- )
         
  E 31 
8 Series    
(8-er, 89-99)
         
  E 83  E 53
X-Series  
(X 3, 04- )  (X 5, 00 - )
         
  Z 1  Z 3  Z 4 
Z-Series
(88-91) (95- 02) (03 -)
         
  Z 8 
     
(00- 03)
         
  Mini 
Mini    
(2002 - )
 
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 5. Gearbox Number:
 
The gearbox number has 10 characters, 7 numbers and 3 letters, e.g.
1036320HCI
On some older automatic transmissions, the number can appear without any letters.
 
Location on manual gearboxes:
Stamped onto the bottom of the bell housing

 
Close-up views:

 
Location on automatic gearboxes:
On an aluminium plate, riveted directly onto the gearbox (older generation vehicles)

or as a paper sticker
 
On more modern generations of vehicles it is stamped onto the gearbox on the left, in the direction of travel

A stamped gearbox number without the last three letters

 
On a sticker, on the gearbox itself, on the left, viewed in the direction of travel

 
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6.  Radio number:

 
The radio number normally has 14 characters and begins with 2 letters designating the manufacturer. BMW vehicles
are fitted at the works with radios from the following manufacturers.
 
BP = Blaupunkt
PH = Philips
BE = Becker
PI   = Pioneer
 
         Back to page 1
 

7.  Vehicle keys:

 
 GDV Key catalogue
 
The most recent keys for the 7 (E65/66) and all following Series
 

 
         Back to page 1