M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
FAQ / REFERENCE => M42 Reference => Topic started by: DesktopDave on May 12, 2012, 07:41:20 AM
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BMW's original option/build sheets are now available online. It's the same information a dealer might share with you, and it's good for every BMW built after mid-1982 IIRC. These sheets are usually stuck to the rear seat bottom, but in many cases the original interior has been replaced.
Just enter the last 7 digits of your VIN at this address:
http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/
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So who has the oldest M42 around?
My car's birthday is August 2, 1990. She now has quite a few more options than she was originally fitted with!
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my drive train is Heck and my tranny is Meck...i'll be sleeping better for sure:D
mine is 4 months newer than yours Dave
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Nov 5th, 1990 for me. That's pretty cool Dave. We are seriously geekin out! Any idea what "dispatch protection pack" is? Interesting that is says it came with "turbine" wheels, wonder where the bottle caps came from then?
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Shipping protection pack? I'd figure it's just shipping materials to cover the front of the car, maybe bags for the mirrors, floor covers, etc.
IIRC BMW did call the bottlecaps "turbine" wheels. The older Alpina style is also known that way, in addition to a show car or two. Odd, that.
Geeking indeed...we need some "BMW Geek" shirts printed up!
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Colour BRILLANTROT (308)
Upholstery (0166)
Prod.date 19/10/1990
Colour ALPINWEISS 2 (218)
Upholstery (0166)
Prod.date 11/09/1990
Kind of weird that one of my cars was born on 9/11
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7/27/90
Just a few days older than dave's
and someone has changed my rear end... says I should have 25% lock up :(
My dead 318i was 3/23/91
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25/08/1990
BRILLANTROT (308)
National version Australia
Radio preparation
Additional Export tank filling
How do you tell what rear end you were supposed to have?
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25/08/1990
BRILLANTROT (308)
National version Australia
Radio preparation
Additional Export tank filling
How do you tell what rear end you were supposed to have?
From what I've gathered, here in the states all 90-91 cars had manual transmissions (gasp!) and 4.10 small-case open diffs. A 25% LSD was optional, it should be posted on your build sheet as option S209: "SPERRDIFFERENTIAL 25%" or something like that.
The only e30 NA exception is the convertibles.
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my e30 prod date is: 1990-05-22
last digits are: EE67386
Cool bit of info on that page.
I had wondered why the other 1990 318's I had looked at had different wheels than mine and made me think they were swapped at one time by previous owners but alas, no, fitted with from factory.
S242A FAHRERAIRBAG MIT SERIENKRANZ(PUR) Steering wheel airbag
S281A LM-RAD 6 1/2 X 14 BMW LA wheel, chr.-plated/roundspokes
S300A ZENTRALVERRIEGELUNG ELEKTRISCH Central locking with anti-theft system
S400A SCHIEBE-HEBEDACH, MECHANISCH Slide/tilt sunroof, manually operated
S410A FENSTERHEBER, ELEKTRISCH VORN Window lifts, electric, front
S481A SPORTSITZE FUER FAHRER/BEIFAHRER Sports seat
S530A KLIMAANLAGE Air conditioning
S556A AUSSENTEMPERATURANZEIGE Outdoor temperature indicator
S925A VERSANDSCHUTZPAKET Dispatch protection pack
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I've added a few options over the years as well. I should update their database! Here's my "brag list":
S149A DOUBLE FLASH LIGHT, REMOVABLE
S209A Differential lock 25% (3.73 medium case)
S219A Leather-covered sport st. wheel 380 mm
[Deleted] S242A Steering wheel airbag
S286A BMW light alloy wheel BMW styling
S401A Lift-up-and-slide-back sunroof, electric
S468A SKI BAG
S481A Sports seats
S497A Centre armrest, rear
S498A Headrests mechanically adjustable, rear
S540A Cruise control
I'm also working on:
S436A PREP. INFIN. VARIAB. DIP IN REARV.MIRROR
S551A On-board computer II with remote control
S675A BMW Sound system
Odd that there's no option for ellipsoids or P/S delete. And what about the infamous "hose delete mod," "Rob's COP Kit" or "Mustang injectors?"
Many more codes listed here (http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f74/full-list-bmw-option-codes-some-english-t20824/).
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That's a pretty cool site! I ran my ZCoupe and see I have heated mirrors...I didn't know that, but I don't drive it in the winter.
My 318is is a virgin. I don't think the seat had ever been removed judging by the amount of loose change and melted gummy bears stuck in the corners. Of the five E30s I've fooled around with, this is the only one with the build sheet still intact.
(http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/6164/misc004a.jpg)
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Mine was born in April of 1990
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Mine was born in April of 1990
Looks like we have a winner...wonder when BMW started dropping M42's into e30's? RealOEM claims 3/90.
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and my latest '91...
Prod.date 1991-01-07
last digits are: EJ05165
It might be one of the 'newest' ones listed?
It has the 25% diff option:
S209A SPERRDIFFERENTIAL 25% Differential lock 25%
This one seems to pull a bit harder when accelerating? Could be this diff update or the aftermarket exhaust? or both?
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Drive HECK
Transmission MECH
Colour ALPINWEISS 2 (218)
Upholstery (0381)
Prod.date 1990-04-10
S281A LM-RAD 6 1/2 X 14 BMW LA wheel, chr.-plated/roundspokes
S300A ZENTRALVERRIEGELUNG ELEKTRISCH Central locking with anti-theft system
S410A FENSTERHEBER, ELEKTRISCH VORN Window lifts, electric, front
S481A SPORTSITZE FUER FAHRER/BEIFAHRER Sports seat
S556A AUSSENTEMPERATURANZEIGE Outdoor temperature indicator
L838A KANADA-AUSFUEHRUNG NATIONAL VERSION CANADA
S925A VERSANDSCHUTZPAKET Dispatch protection pack
Does this mean someone decided to swap on bottlecaps or is S281A the bottle caps?
Also was the Mtec1 steering wheel an option? My 318 came with an Mtec1 wheel when i bought it. Probably a Previous owner added it I'm thinking.
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Prod.date 1989-11-08 :p
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I just checked and Dean has the newest one by less then 2 months, 11/22/90. It came with warning triangle and first aid kit, I do have the caddy for it in the trunk. Now I need to find it out there...lol
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I have a same day unit, 1990-11-22, according to the site. how many per day, I wonder
Geoff
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I have a same day unit, 1990-11-22, according to the site. how many per day, I wonder
Geoff
How close are the VINs?
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well, I'm not aware of anyone elses vin. but mine is EE72223
Geoff
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I had to scratch my eyes, mine is EE72232. So at least 9 were made in a day. lol
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ahh, that was a good day:)
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funny thing is thats the day after my wedding date...lol. I now need to tell my wife that is why my car is meant to be with us.
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that may fly:D for some reason most wives and gf"s perceive the e-30 as your needy gf on the side...not sure why..
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My production date is listed as 1991-03-08, and my last 7 are EE74493.
It may be near the end of the line.
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April 25 1990
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WBAAF9317MEE72989
So I have the newest? 11/01/1991
What do the steering and type mean? Why does it say power 103?
TIA
Jeff
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Are we a bit too much into our cars if we know the last 7 of our VINs by heart? More likely we are just spending too much on them. :P
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Mine was "born" on January 26, 1991.
Type Value
Type code AJ93
Type 318I (USA)
E series E30 ()
Series 3
Type LIM
Steering LL
Doors 4
Engine M42
Displacement 1.80
Power 103
Drive HECK
Transmission MECH
Colour BRILLANTROT (308)
Upholstery (0269)
Prod.date 1991-01-26
S209A SPERRDIFFERENTIAL 25% Differential lock 25%
S242A FAHRERAIRBAG MIT SERIENKRANZ(PUR) Steering wheel airbag
S300A ZENTRALVERRIEGELUNG ELEKTRISCH Central locking with anti-theft system
S400A SCHIEBE-HEBEDACH, MECHANISCH Slide/tilt sunroof, manually operated
S411A FENSTERHEBER,ELEKTRISCH VORN/HINTEN Window lifts,electric,front/rear
S520A NEBELSCHEINWERFER Fog lights
S530A KLIMAANLAGE Air conditioning
S556A AUSSENTEMPERATURANZEIGE Outdoor temperature indicator
S925A VERSANDSCHUTZPAKET Dispatch protection pack
The upholstery is different than the build sheet, the car had grey cloth seats, but I wanted black vinyl, so the dealer swapped seats with another car on the lot.
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I found another place for this info, combined with the electronic parts catalog:
http://www.bmw.com/com/en/owners/accessories/electronic-parts-catalogue/electronic-parts-catalogue.html
Click the link off to the right & disable your pop-up blocker to open the site.
Username: eu111111
Password: bmwetk1
Then just enter the last 7 digits of your car's VIN into the little box, and hit enter or click the ">>" button. You can find your build sheet by clicking the "options" button in the header strip.
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That one does not seem to work for me..I may try it at home..anyway no options to be seen and it doesnt recognize my VIN? boohoo
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Hello, I'm new to the forum and a proud first time BMW owner. I just bought my E30 318ic Cabrio a couple weeks ago and I love the hell out of this car. Needs a little love but the previous owners kept it well, wont take much to have it loking and running like new . It spent half of it's life in storage and only had 117K miles on it. It even had the original owners manual with the audio tape.
I look forward to learning about this great car and maybe getting to know some of you as well.
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Mine is 10-24-1991 (EJ12653) and my sons is 5-20-1986 (9689539).
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10/8/1990, shows the triangle and first aid kit on mine too (S428A)
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WBAAF9317MEE72989
So I have the newest? 11/01/1991
What do the steering and type mean? Why does it say power 103?
TIA
Jeff
103 Horsepower......?
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I think that's the power rating in kW...converts to 138 HP...
http://www.mr2ownersclub.com/converter.htm
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I think that's the power rating in kW...converts to 138 HP...
http://www.mr2ownersclub.com/converter.htm
That makes more sense, I still forget about the metric system sometimes LOL
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Here's another one:
http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/
Much easier, right on the front page. Love their anti-bot math quiz!
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Is there a place to look up the options and maybe find some pics?
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I think the original owner upgraded the wheels. S286A
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I see you found a site. I found an even better one than before:
http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/
Much nicer, though it gets busy at times.
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1990-09-10 pretty much have all the parts in my garage to put back on one day as optioned. Except it won't be brilliantrot!
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1990-09-10 pretty much have all the parts in my garage to put back on one day as optioned. Except it won't be brilliantrot!
BMW painted an awful lot of our cars brilliant red. I wonder what the original color distribution was? From the few I've seen almost all are four colors (brilliant red, diamond black, alpine white and sterling silver). I'd think that accounts for nearly all of the coupes and sedans. I haven't seen many other OEM colors on the E30 M42 cars, even though (according to this page (http://www.bmwinfo.com/23230.html)) BMW offered ten different colors in '91.