Can't decode VIN - 2004 E46 320D

[Nikhar]

Hi guys, my first post here so please bear with me

I'm looking at purchasing a 2004 E46 320D to restore and rebuild as a project however I'm having a slight problem with the VIN. I can pick it up on BMW TIS software and the BMW website dashboard, and some other sites can SOMEWHAT recognise that the car exists. The problem is that I want to decode the VIN to see what standard and optional equipment were fitted on the car from the factory but absolutely NO site is able to do this. I have tried every site I could find (I'm not new to VIN decoding) but almost all sites think that the car does not exist. The car was built in June 2004 - Does anybody know why this is happening? Can anybody try and decode it on their end for me? I have sent an email to BMW and am waiting for their response in the meantime. Maybe somebody here can beat them to it?

The VIN is WBAAZ12040NF58580

Many thanks!

 

[ngoako7]

Tried searching for you but it seems the VIN decoders are a hit and miss :-(
Perhaps ask your BMW dealer to print out a spec list for you?

 

[rodga]

Looks like the system is down so none of them are working. Just tried a random e90 same issue. But it still shows my e39 - which is probably saved in their database as I have searched for it before. Wait a few days or try the dealer.

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[Nikhar]

Hmm I suspected the database might be down which may be causing this issue. I have emailed my local dealership, waiting for their response. Thank you guys!

 

[Nikhar]

Can anybody mail this VIN to a dealership near them to pull the list of standard and optional equipment fitted to this car for me please? My dealership in NN is not responding and I don't have the time to leave my work and go there...

 

[PsyCLown]

Can anybody mail this VIN to a dealership near them to pull the list of standard and optional equipment fitted to this car for me please? My dealership in NN is not responding and I don't have the time to leave my work and go there...

When I tried to get such a report from a BMW dealership previously, I was told that because the vehicle is not in my name they will not help me unless I can provide the registration document to them.

I hope you come right!

 

[Nikhar]

When I tried to get such a report from a BMW dealership previously, I was told that because the vehicle is not in my name they will not help me unless I can provide the registration document to them.

I hope you come right!

Ah, if that is the case then I guess I'll have to tell the owner to send a copy to the dealership to do this for me. Thank you for notifying me, I didn't know the dealerships now need the RC1 document. In the past I could just ask them for a readout.

 

[PsyCLown]

Ah, if that is the case then I guess I'll have to tell the owner to send a copy to the dealership to do this for me. Thank you for notifying me, I didn't know the dealerships now need the RC1 document. In the past I could just ask them for a readout.

Yeah, this seems to have changed a few years back.
Previously you could just call them, give them the VIN and get the info but that changed and BMW now state it is due to them being compliant with POPIA.

If you have a good relationship with a particular dealership, you might be able to get it done without jumping through hoops though.

 

[Tinuva]

I am able to lookup other vins on the vin decoders. Are you 100% sure you have the VIN 100% correct in your opening post here?

 

[rodga]

I am able to lookup other vins on the vin decoders. Are you 100% sure you have the VIN 100% correct in your opening post here?

Which one are you using?
Are they vehicles you haven't checked before?

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[Tinuva]

Which one are you using?
Are they vehicles you haven't checked before?

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Seems the vin is correct. Able to look it up on realoem at least.

 

[rodga]

Seems the vin is correct. Able to look it up on realoem at least.

View attachment 20982

Some of these sites store the details once the vin is checked. Confirmed with my own vehicle and random one found online

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[Nikhar]

Yes VIN is correct, and some sites pick it up. My dealership replied and low and behold they need a copy of the logbook... Well then now I have to get a copy from the owner and send it. What an irritating system. I get the need for POPIA compliance, but still...

 

[Tinuva]

Yes VIN is correct, and some sites pick it up. My dealership replied and low and behold they need a copy of the logbook... Well then now I have to get a copy from the owner and send it. What an irritating system. I get the need for POPIA compliance, but still...

You can send us detailed photos, I'm sure many of us will be able to point out all the options we see

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[Nikhar]

It's not that I don't know what options are installed. It's that I want to match it to the factory spec to see if anything has been retrofitted or removed. I was in such a hurry when I viewed the car because I had work to do. The car caught my eye while I was out-of-town attending to business and I couldn't help but stop to take a 5min peek at it.

 

[Tino335]

Ask the owner to look under the left rear seat... car's "birth certificate" could be there...

 

[Nikhar]

Hi, y'all, I just want to put it out there - the database had issues during that time... I have since been able to fully decode the VIN and get the entire history and service reports. Thank you for your help, I guess it was my first time being impatient...