WarNox 1 Report post Posted October 16, 2006 I was just wondering if its just my stupid car or all NZ cars that have this. When a bmw comes out of the factory it should get a 15 digit vin number, usualy starting with W...., and then the last 7 digits will be your chassis number. On my car, I cannot find the original VIN number anywhere, just the chassis number and the NZ VIN number (of which the last 7 digits aren't even my chassis number). I rang team McMillan and they don't have it in their system either (they found this interesting), they only have my chassis number. When i look in my engine bay, under the windshield, i only have my chassis number written there too. Is this strange or normal? thanks in advance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted October 16, 2006 I was just wondering if its just my stupid car or all NZ cars that have this. When a bmw comes out of the factory it should get a 15 digit vin number, usualy starting with W...., and then the last 7 digits will be your chassis number. On my car, I cannot find the original VIN number anywhere, just the chassis number and the NZ VIN number (of which the last 7 digits aren't even my chassis number). I rang team McMillan and they don't have it in their system either (they found this interesting), they only have my chassis number. When i look in my engine bay, under the windshield, i only have my chassis number written there too. Is this strange or normal? thanks in advance. That's odd, mine's a 1992 (built August 91) E36 320i, and the entire VIN is on the firewall in the engine bay, under the windshield. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jazzbass 1 Report post Posted October 16, 2006 Both of my E36s had the factory VIN just under the windshield on the drivers side. Not actually on the firewall, more on the frame. IIRC. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WarNox 1 Report post Posted October 19, 2006 well it's from south africa, if that makes a difference? i've got the 7digit number, but i want the whole thing. i've found a list of locations on the car that the number is ment to be engraved and all are in really hard to reach places. and the ones that are not are not there. i guess the mystery remains... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerrynzl 3 Report post Posted October 19, 2006 well it's from south africa, if that makes a difference? i've got the 7digit number, but i want the whole thing. i've found a list of locations on the car that the number is ment to be engraved and all are in really hard to reach places. and the ones that are not are not there. i guess the mystery remains... On a South African E36 the vin number is stamped in the cowl panel [by the wipers] there is a little cut-out in the plastic panel to view it. There is also a Body Tag on the inner guard by the brake booster [jumper + connection] On Jap E36's this tag only has 5 digits on a SA E36 it should have the full vin# and engine# Most other E36s have a Decal as a Body tag ,as well as the stamping in the cowl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
westy 614 Report post Posted October 19, 2006 Mine has a sticker on the drivers side shock tower and a stamping on the cowl ,between the brake booster and the winscreen. NZ new. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WarNox 1 Report post Posted October 19, 2006 well i have a sticker on the drivers side shock tower, a metal one with the NZ vin number. and i do have that cutout by the windscreen wipers but it only has the 7 digits in it. not 15. what do u mean by the brake booster? drivers side inner guard? i've looked under there before, but have not seen anything. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuen 16 Report post Posted October 19, 2006 (edited) well i have a sticker on the drivers side shock tower, a metal one with the NZ vin number. and i do have that cutout by the windscreen wipers but it only has the 7 digits in it. not 15. what do u mean by the brake booster? drivers side inner guard? i've looked under there before, but have not seen anything. Yours only has 7 digits? IE: XX12345? If so, that's really all you need to get parts. Ie: www.realoem.com EDIT: I guess if you really meant digits (no alphabets) then that won't work. Edited October 19, 2006 by Yuen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kerrynzl 3 Report post Posted October 25, 2006 what do u mean by the brake booster? drivers side inner guard? i've looked under there before, but have not seen anything. The Inner Guard goes from the firewall [brake booster] all the way to the headlight, It's back by the Booster [on the drivers side if its RHD] Usually by the Jump-start terminal Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smokenbaby 0 Report post Posted October 26, 2006 I was just wondering if its just my stupid car or all NZ cars that have this. When a bmw comes out of the factory it should get a 15 digit vin number, usualy starting with W...., and then the last 7 digits will be your chassis number. On my car, I cannot find the original VIN number anywhere, just the chassis number and the NZ VIN number (of which the last 7 digits aren't even my chassis number). I rang team McMillan and they don't have it in their system either (they found this interesting), they only have my chassis number. When i look in my engine bay, under the windshield, i only have my chassis number written there too. Is this strange or normal? thanks in advance. Maybe your car is a cheap Thailand knock off. Na just joking. I pick up my M3 tomorrow from the wharf (left hooker) so will have a look where mine is for you. If I don't post it means I have nothing new to report. Good luck with your search. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
