Author Topic: Anyone want to know their car's birthday? (Read 31150 times)

DesktopDave · « **on:** May 12, 2012, 07:41:20 AM »

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/

DesktopDave · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2012, 07:43:34 AM »

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!

Geoff · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2012, 08:37:12 AM »

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

sfinsf · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2012, 09:35:12 AM »

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?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2012, 09:53:55 AM »

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!

monko141 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2012, 02:57:12 PM »

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

zacrl1230 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2012, 08:57:10 PM »

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

5m1dy · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2012, 02:53:53 AM »

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?

DesktopDave · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2012, 07:04:41 AM »

Quote from: 5m1dy;112520

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.

deansweet · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2012, 08:06:31 AM »

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

DesktopDave · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2012, 10:12:22 AM »

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.

keflaman · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2012, 07:50:13 PM »

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.

willworkfore30s · « **Reply #12 on:** May 13, 2012, 09:39:02 PM »

Mine was born in April of 1990

DesktopDave · « **Reply #13 on:** May 14, 2012, 07:10:18 AM »

Quote from: willworkfore30s;112540

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.

deansweet · « **Reply #14 on:** May 14, 2012, 02:52:02 PM »

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?