Incorrect VIN Number

[Happy_Go_Lucky]

Strange, but true. Shortly after getting my E34, I went off to the local Stealer to get some parts. When checking against their catalogue, they told me my VIN identifies my car as an E28, and was I sure it's an E34? I mean, really!! Can't you *see* the difference? Anyway, I never gave it another thought - until now. I was checking this link out of curiosity http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi and guess what? It reports my car as : Vehicle Code = DC78, Series = E28, Production Date = 1989/12. All the other info supplied seems correct. Anybody out there experienced an incorrect VIN? And how is it possible to have the incorrect VIN? Or is the VIN database simply wrong, even though the local BMW dealer also said I drive an E28.

[genphreak]

I thought that E28 production was all but discontinued by 1988. e34 started in 1987- the two overlapped a little as (I guess) they were staging the commisioning of the e34 production lines with intial supplies to certain markets a little before others for wahtever reasons.

It is time like these I wish we had an ex-BMW person on the board to tell us why things were done this way or that. :) Nick

[genphreak]

Kinda sucks tho, have you had it examined? Maybe its been changed illegally. I'd ask BMW to confirm how it has happened if you are really sure it hasn't been... they should at least correct the database and give you a fun explanation to tell us all... :)

[Ross]

Interesting that BMW claims it to be an E28 built in '89, December no less.
E28 ended with the '88 model year and cars built in Dec. "89 would certainly be '90 model year cars.
I'm not knowledgeable on BMW's internal workings but it sure looks like an error to me. Perhaps the dealer's database is F'd up.
Maybe one of the members here who is in the employ of BMW can double check this.

[Happy_Go_Lucky]

Kinda sucks tho, have you had it examined? Maybe its been changed illegally. I'd ask BMW to confirm how it has happened if you are really sure it hasn't been... they should at least correct the database and give you a fun explanation to tell us all... :)

Although the car was built in S.Africa, it's original owner was a German National who bought the car new, effectively making me the second owner. This German fella was pretty much in love of his pride and joy, his full spec "German" 535i 5-speed, so I doubt the VIN has been modified in any way. ;)

[shogun]

I think the online VIN decoder does not work for cars produced in South Africa.
And in ZA they often mixed some models, such as parts from the E12 and E28, and they were usually built longer there than in Germany.
But I have no details in the E34 produced in ZA.

[Anthony (M5 in Calgary)]

A picture of your car would tell all.

This is an E28: http://www.e34.szm.sk/files/pic00a.jpg

[DABLACK]

PM me or e-mail me the last 7 of your vin and I can check with head office for you. ;) my info is in my profile of course.

hope I can help.

[Ausmpower]

Although the car was built in S.Africa, it's original owner was a German National who bought the car new, effectively making me the second owner. This German fella was pretty much in love of his pride and joy, his full spec "German" 535i 5-speed, so I doubt the VIN has been modified in any way. ;)

Yep it's an E28.... South Africa got any and all left over body shells in knock down form to build up for their local market........

Real BITZA'S.... Those cars.

What motor is in it????

I've seen 4 E28's here in West Australia with CARBY M20's under the bonnet..... And E12 brake systems

Rossco

[Happy_Go_Lucky]

PM me or e-mail me the last 7 of your vin and I can check with head office for you. ;) my info is in my profile of course.

hope I can help.

I know the visual differences between an E34 and an E28 .... how do I paste a pic for the doubters out there ... my vin is bf23557

[Happy_Go_Lucky]

A picture of your car would tell all.

This is an E28: http://www.e34.szm.sk/files/pic00a.jpg

There is a small pic on my profile ;)

[Happy_Go_Lucky]

Yep it's an E28.... South Africa got any and all left over body shells in knock down form to build up for their local market........

Real BITZA'S.... Those cars.

What motor is in it????

I've seen 4 E28's here in West Australia with CARBY M20's under the bonnet..... And E12 brake systems

Rossco


I hope the picture attached itself :D Is this an E28, build 89/12 ?

[Happy_Go_Lucky]

A picture of your car would tell all.

This is an E28: http://www.e34.szm.sk/files/pic00a.jpg

Ok, here's the picture ... build 89/12, M30 3.5 motor, badged 535i, first registered, 1990 - Owners Handbook - BMW 535i, E34, M30 - so, is this an E28?:(

[ryan roopnarine]

that's crazy

http://realoem.com/bmw/select.do?vin=bf23557&kind=P&arch=0

i guess the bumper in there kinda looks like an e28, but i've never owned one, so i wouldn't know.

[632 Regal]

car looks like an E34.

Ok, here's the picture ... build 89/12, M30 3.5 motor, badged 535i, first registered, 1990 - Owners Handbook - BMW 535i, E34, M30 - so, is this an E28?:(

[Ausmpower]

That's an E34 and I just ran your vin..... States E34 on BMW's german registry.

[papajimmm]

Sorry newbie to e34 but know from the e23 and having a few 745 's that most of them were 3.2 and 3.5 turbo's and all being euros but the South African 745 was not a turbo but had the m88? motor (m6 etc 282hp) since they couldn't put the turbo and plumbing on the right side due to right side steering. So I think it couls always be different in SA; also E32 staerted in 1987 I believe in some euro countries. and agree with above most of the vin decoders MOSTLY applie to USA etc. BMW NA had some sort of contest several years ago(forget prize) but you had to put in your vin to enter and both my 81 735i and 82 745i came up as invalid vins but they are now on realoem and the z1? site as legid vins when looking for parts.

[Happy_Go_Lucky]

Yep it's an E28.... South Africa got any and all left over body shells in knock down form to build up for their local market........

Real BITZA'S.... Those cars.

What motor is in it????

I've seen 4 E28's here in West Australia with CARBY M20's under the bonnet..... And E12 brake systems

Rossco

Don't you like South Africa? Do you actually even know where it is? ;) Actually, in the 80's and 90's, the South African BMW plant was one of the few building the RHD 5 series, and rated as the best plant - not importing knock-down bodies, but actually pressing them themselves. Now it exports mostly 3 series to the world. So I don't think the ZA built Beemers are "BITZA'S", as you so elequently put it. What's built down under again, remind me? :D BTW, it's been confirmed as a legit E34 535i, got the 3.5 M30 motor - and everything in the car is E34, even the brakes. It appears that some VIN databases are just slightly screwed, that's all. Anyways, no harm done. :)