My confusing E30 320i , Where are the VIN numbers?

[zippy320]

Hi guys

Well , Iv had this issue with my car since new , Curiosity has gotten the better of me so I decided to Drop BMW Classic an Email asking them for some sort of explanation.

This car was purchased new in 1988 By my dad , 1 owner etc.
The problem iv faced is that , when ever searching for any information on the car, it always comes up as an 88 320i 2door coup.

When ever I purchase specific suspension parts for the car , it takes 2 weeks to get the part and once the part arrives , its the wrong part. They then look through their 325is booklet and order a part for me from there , which takes another 2 to 3 weeks to come , That turns out to be the correct part. There are other parts as well though not to important.

So I contacted BMW Classic and they have asked me to send them pictures of the Numbers on the chassis , Engine , and Manufacturers plate.

I know where the plate is , but where are the rest of these numbers?

I cant find them anywhere.

Thanks guys.

 

[zippy320]

So I found the Engine number on the block , and the plate attached with rivets on the body , the car has its body number etched onto ever glass panel ,
but there are no stampings of the VIN on any part of the vehicles body .
I know its a stupid question and I feel stupid for asking this as I feel I should know where it is , but for the life of me , I cant find a single VIN stamped anywhere on this cars body.

Did BMW SA stamp the numbers onto the body's of our South African E30s?

 

[Peter@AEW]

The number is stamped either on the windscreen wiper cowl or the shock tower.

 

[zippy320]

Thanks for suggestion a1exander , I really appreciate it.

Mine does not seem to have either place stamped.

 

[Peter@AEW]

Is it possible that the engine bay may have been resprayed?

 

[zippy320]

Never been resprayed or had anything repaired, We had the car from new , I know exactly which parts have been sprayed though , but never the engine bay.

 

[GPGrobler]

Which model is your car, all the post 1988 models had the VIN number stamped on the L/H shock tower and it matches the number on the licence disc.

---

Which model is your E46? I see it is also a white one :clapper:

 

[zippy320]

hi GpGrobler!

The E30 is an 1988 (plastic bumper ) 320i Automatic , I cant seem to find its VIN stamped anywhere on the body , As far as I can remember , its never had any part of its engine bay resprayed , Accident wise , its only had to have its one fender and mirror replaced , then 10 years after that a Door was replaced due to someone bumping into it and at the same time , I removed the Original rubber spoiler that was fitted to the car at the factory I think, from the boot-lid and had the holes covered and lid resprayed . Apart from that no other repaints or sprays , It still has (apart from those 2 panels its original paint .

There isn't any Vin (Body number) stamped on the shock tower either , or below the wiper , or on the windscreen or anywhere else that Iv checked .

Does any one have any pictures of all the locations of E30 VINs? Maybe our SA e30s are different?

Where were the VINs stamped on your 1st white E30 that you had to strip?

The E46 is a 2002 318i Exclusive package Auto , I love this car! Its also the reason for my E30 being parked off for most of the time now (apart from its non starting issue haha) We purchased the E46 new , Every time this car goes in for a service the dealers have asked , Arnt you looking at trading in for a new 3 , and im like hmmm nope, I have been tempted a few times ,esp with the new 3 , but its such a nice comfortable , well sized car with so many comfy options that I truly enjoy , I find it perfect as my daily driver. I drive my friends 4 series gran coup alot and I still find my E46 to be a more fun and easier drive, even though it has the smaller N42 engine , Its no slouch at all and It is a very comfortable ride.

Which model is your car, all the post 1988 models had the VIN number stamped on the L/H shock tower and it matches the number on the licence disc.

---

Which model is your E46? I see it is also a white one :clapper:

---

 

[Scully]

Hi guys

Well , Iv had this issue with my car since new , Curiosity has gotten the better of me so I decided to Drop BMW Classic an Email asking them for some sort of explanation.

This car was purchased new in 1988 By my dad , 1 owner etc.
The problem iv faced is that , when ever searching for any information on the car, it always comes up as an 88 320i 2door coup.

When ever I purchase specific suspension parts for the car , it takes 2 weeks to get the part and once the part arrives , its the wrong part. They then look through their 325is booklet and order a part for me from there , which takes another 2 to 3 weeks to come , That turns out to be the correct part. There are other parts as well though not to important.

So I contacted BMW Classic and they have asked me to send them pictures of the Numbers on the chassis , Engine , and Manufacturers plate.

I know where the plate is , but where are the rest of these numbers?

I cant find them anywhere.

Thanks guys.

Hi zippy I know the post is old but did you manage to find out what the problem was? Why the vin gave you 320i coupe?