7-digit VIN number??

[SunshineViking]

Hello FirstFivers,

I have been searching all over for a clear answer/solution. I can only find 7 digits of my VIN, from what I’ve read the E12’s only have 7 digits? I was hoping to get the original build sheet but even the BMW dealership said they can’t help unless I have 17 characters...Is my pursuit to get the build sheet a lost cause or is there hope?

Thanks for reading!

Cheers,

-Sunshine

[toddness]

I haven't used the service, but these folks may be able to help.

Look into the Vehicle Certificate section of the webpage below. This site is BMW affiliated, as I understand it.

https://www.bmwgroup-classic.com/en/off ... enter.html

[SunshineViking]

Thank you Toddness, I’ll give that a try!

[keehn]

Sunshine,

When you go to register, expect to require police verification. 7-digit VINs just don't exist anymore. For me, I just called my state police precinct, and a while later, a couple police came and inspected my car. You probably already know this, but our VINs are stamped on the passenger-side front fender, under the hood; be sure to let the police know this, as they have no clue where to look on our cars!

Mike

[PatinaBeforePolish]

Hello FirstFivers,

I have been searching all over for a clear answer/solution. I can only find 7 digits of my VIN, from what I’ve read the E12’s only have 7 digits? I was hoping to get the original build sheet but even the BMW dealership said they can’t help unless I have 17 characters...Is my pursuit to get the build sheet a lost cause or is there hope?

Thanks for reading!

Cheers,

-Sunshine

Not sure about the earlier ones, but later model e12s have a 17 digit VIN stamped in the passenger side fender. BUT, these VINs were used before the world standard 17 digit VINs went into effect in 1981. Modern VINs are consistent throughout the world and contain information about country of origin, characteristics of the car (usually chassis or drivetrain related), model year, plant code and the unique vehicle identifier. These are the VINs your dealer is most familiar with. A good parts person can use your 7 digit VIN for reference, RealOEM certainly can and it will show the production month/year, model, engine, transmission and destination country which is about all you'll get from any vintage VIN decoder. RealOEM is essentially the same parts catalog as the one used by dealers.

Pre 1981 e12 17 digit VINs do contain information about country of origin (W=West Germany) and the plant where it was produced but they don't follow the modern structure. And remember e12s were sold in the US before there was a BMW USA; dealers bought their cars from the distributer Max Hoffman. Which is why we had Bavaria's in 1972 and the rest of the world got the e12 but that's another story.

To make things even more confusing, there's a finite combination of the 7 digit identifiers resulting in some early BMW VINs being recycled. I understand this is a sometimes issue with the 2002 and e9 crowds but I've yet to hear of it on an e12.

[SunshineViking]

Sunshine,

When you go to register, expect to require police verification. 7-digit VINs just don't exist anymore. For me, I just called my state police precinct, and a while later, a couple police came and inspected my car. You probably already know this, but our VINs are stamped on the passenger-side front fender, under the hood; be sure to let the police know this, as they have no clue where to look on our cars!

Mike

Thanks Mike! That is really good to know, I will verify the VIN number on passenger-side front fender. I had only found the one stamped on a plate on the driver side.

[SunshineViking]

Hello FirstFivers,

I have been searching all over for a clear answer/solution. I can only find 7 digits of my VIN, from what I’ve read the E12’s only have 7 digits? I was hoping to get the original build sheet but even the BMW dealership said they can’t help unless I have 17 characters...Is my pursuit to get the build sheet a lost cause or is there hope?

Thanks for reading!

Cheers,

-Sunshine

Not sure about the earlier ones, but later model e12s have a 17 digit VIN stamped in the passenger side fender. BUT, these VINs were used before the world standard 17 digit VINs went into effect in 1981. Modern VINs are consistent throughout the world and contain information about country of origin, characteristics of the car (usually chassis or drivetrain related), model year, plant code and the unique vehicle identifier. These are the VINs your dealer is most familiar with. A good parts person can use your 7 digit VIN for reference, RealOEM certainly can and it will show the production month/year, model, engine, transmission and destination country which is about all you'll get from any vintage VIN decoder. RealOEM is essentially the same parts catalog as the one used by dealers.

Pre 1981 e12 17 digit VINs do contain information about country of origin (W=West Germany) and the plant where it was produced but they don't follow the modern structure. And remember e12s were sold in the US before there was a BMW USA; dealers bought their cars from the distributer Max Hoffman. Which is why we had Bavaria's in 1972 and the rest of the world got the e12 but that's another story.

To make things even more confusing, there's a finite combination of the 7 digit identifiers resulting in some early BMW VINs being recycled. I understand this is a sometimes issue with the 2002 and e9 crowds but I've yet to hear of it on an e12.

This is all really good info, I appreciate it. RealOEM is great, the shop I am buying the car from told me about that.

[528i-1981]

Here's an interesting write-up that you'll need to run through a translation site unless you read German.

My 1981 has a standard VIN, but before '81 the 17-number VINs were non-standard as Jon wrote.

http://www.e12.de/chronicle/detail/03a08012.htm

[SunshineViking]

Here's an interesting write-up that you'll need to run through a translation site unless you read German.

My 1981 has a standard VIN, but before '81 the 17-number VINs were non-standard as Jon wrote.

http://www.e12.de/chronicle/detail/03a08012.htm

Thanks! That was an interesting read, thank goodness for google translate. Reading German hasn’t made it to the top of my list of priorities yet.