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Understanding Your VIN:
Most of you are familiar with the rather long VIN on all BMW cars since the eighties.
Did you know that you are able to verify the model year by checking the tenth letter?
This is what the 17 digits mean
|
Position |
Meaning |
|
1 |
Country of manufacture
|
1 |
USA |
|
2 |
Canada |
|
W |
Germany |
|
L |
Taiwan |
|
S |
England |
|
|
2-3 |
Manufacturer, make and vehicle type |
|
4 |
Car line |
|
5 |
Series |
|
6 |
Body Type |
|
7 |
Engine |
|
8 |
Restraint system |
|
9 |
Check digit |
|
10 |
Model year
|
G |
1986 |
|
H |
1987 |
|
J |
1988 |
|
K |
1989 |
|
L |
1990 |
|
M |
1991 |
|
N |
1992 |
|
P |
1993 |
|
R |
1994 |
|
S |
1995 |
|
T |
1996 |
|
V |
1997 |
|
W |
1998 |
|
|
11 |
Assembly plant |
|
12-17 |
Production number |
Reprinted from the Los Angeles Chapter
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