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VIN Decoder

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Old 01-24-2005, 08:06 AM
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The decoder says my car is May 04 production. My door sill says June 04 which I know is correct because thats when I placed my order.
Old 01-24-2005, 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by stream' date='Jan 24 2005, 11:48 AM
I entered the last 7 digits (that's what it asks for).? Since it's only using the last 7 digits, it can't determine the model year, because the VIN uses the 8th to last digit for that--see this site:
http://www.vehicleidentificationnumber.com...vin_detail.h tml
[snapback]82475[/snapback]
The site you linked to is a generic VIN site. All VINs must comply with that format but as you'll see, the last 7-digits (digits 12 to 17) are up to the manufacturer. BMW codes a bunch of specific information into those last 7-digits which is why any BMW specific decoder only needs the last 7. For example, the month and year of production can be determined from the last 7 but the 11th digit (8th to last) will still show the car's model year. Keep in mind that model year and production year can be different.

If the BMW decoder is showing that your '05 car was built in '02, something is wrong which is why I suggested double-checking what you entered...
Old 01-24-2005, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' date='Jan 24 2005, 09:07 AM
[quote name='stream' date='Jan 24 2005, 11:48 AM']I entered the last 7 digits (that's what it asks for).? Since it's only using the last 7 digits, it can't determine the model year, because the VIN uses the 8th to last digit for that--see this site:
http://www.vehicleidentificationnumber.com...vin_detail.h tml
[snapback]82475[/snapback]
The site you linked to is a generic VIN site. All VINs must comply with that format but as you'll see, the last 7-digits (digits 12 to 17) are up to the manufacturer. BMW codes a bunch of specific information into those last 7-digits which is why any BMW specific decoder only needs the last 7. For example, the month and year of production can be determined from the last 7 but the 11th digit (8th to last) will still show the car's model year. Keep in mind that model year and production year can be different.

If the BMW decoder is showing that your '05 car was built in '02, something is wrong which is why I suggested double-checking what you entered...
[snapback]82484[/snapback]
[/quote]

I just tried entering the last 7 digits again--same result! Thanks for the info on BMW's use of the VIN.
Old 01-24-2005, 08:35 AM
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stream,

Just for fun, I'd call BMW NA (assuming you're in the US) and give them your digits (they'll also only ask for the last 7) to see what production date they get. There may be something wrong with the logic of the online decoder...
Old 01-24-2005, 09:22 AM
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My door shows production of 08/2004 this link shows 07/2004 (not a big deal), however, it shows a manual transmission and mine is automatic.
Old 01-24-2005, 10:14 AM
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Originally Posted by Rudy' date='Jan 24 2005, 09:35 AM
stream,

Just for fun, I'd call BMW NA (assuming you're in the US) and give them your digits (they'll also only ask for the last 7) to see what production date they get.? There may be something wrong with the logic of the online decoder...
[snapback]82492[/snapback]
Just spoke to BMW. Production date was 11/10/04. Sticker on drivers side b pillar says 11/04.
Old 01-24-2005, 03:55 PM
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Originally Posted by stream' date='Jan 24 2005, 02:14 PM
Just spoke to BMW.? Production date was 11/10/04.? Sticker on drivers side b pillar says 11/04.
[snapback]82533[/snapback]
This is what the website says:

"Data is compatible with BMW ETK CD-ROM as of 10/2004"

So for your case it obviously won't work. But perhaps it should have displayed an error message or something.
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