Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Hereford, AZ
    Posts
    1,081

    VIN on every body panel?

    I remember hearing YEARS ago that BMW labels every body panel with the car's VIN number, which is obviously VERY handy later in determining if a car has had any body work. Do our ZHP's have this feature, or did they quit doing it at some point?

    '21 M2 Competition
    '08 Z4 M Coupé
    '19 Golf R

  2. #2
    Meric Guest
    Theres one on the passenger side strut place. By the engine bay. I dont know if theres any other.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    South Central PA
    Posts
    1,613
    This is where they are on the e36

    Windshield
    Strut tower
    Passenger and driver door seals and on the doors
    1 on passenger side of hood looking from underneath
    1 on passenger side of trunk looking from underneath

    These 2 are kind of hard to see
    Almost directly above the rear wheel wells in where the body and bumper plastic meet, if you lay down and look up at the body they are in between there stamped to the rear quarters.

    Again this is an e36 I'm not sure if e46 are the same.
    MODS: Badassery | Pure Awesomeness | My Blog

  4. #4
    On the E46, you will see the VIN label on the bootlid behind where the license plate mounts. You have to take the mount completely off to see it. Not sure where else you would see the VIN....haven't noticed them anywhere else other than below the windshield...

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Houston, TX
    Posts
    2,378
    bootlid, drivers side door, drivers side strut tower
    --Wes--

    04 330i ZHP Oxford Green/Natural Brown
    04 330Ci ZHP Silvergrey/Alcantara (RIP)

  6. #6
    My E30 has vin tags on EVERY panel, inclusive of the bumpers. This practice has been suspended by many manufacturers as it brings the resale value of the car down if the panels are changed. Resale value is key in setting lease pricing, and lowering lease rates increases sales.
    2004 ZHP * IMOLAROT II * OEM Clears * ///M Strut * CoolantSnitch

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    North San Diego, Las Vegas
    Posts
    1,959
    VIN tags are very important when buying or selling a E30 M3. One of the things that sets the value of the car. And the tags are just about everywhere. Not forgetting the stamped VIN on the hood cowl.
    Lawrence
    "But Mama....That's where the fun is!"
    BMW CCA #192742
    San Diego & Sin City Chapter
    NRA Lifetime Member

    STABLE
    '90 M3 AWII - Garage Queen (The Crown Jewel)
    '20 X5 M Sport Tourquis Blue - #3 Son Ride
    '23 X5 M Sport Sapphire Black - #1 Son Ride
    '23 X5 M Sport Mineral White - Daughter & Grand Kids Ride
    '24 X4 M40i Brooklyn Grey - SO's New Ride
    '05 330i ZHP Mystic Blue Metallic 6 spd - My Ride
    '03 Nissan Frontier XE Crew Cab - Hauler & Down Range vehicle

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Hereford, AZ
    Posts
    1,081
    Quote Originally Posted by nk_zhp View Post
    My E30 has vin tags on EVERY panel, inclusive of the bumpers. This practice has been suspended by many manufacturers as it brings the resale value of the car down if the panels are changed. Resale value is key in setting lease pricing, and lowering lease rates increases sales.
    THIS is what I was referring to. Does anyone know if BMW has quit this practice, or if our E46's still have it? I remember now when I first learned it - it was at a dealer in the early '90s, a sales guy was trying to sell an old 5-series to a buddy of mine, and showing him several of the body panels' VIN tags and bragging about how the car had never been hit.
    Last edited by KevinC; 07-21-2012 at 09:21 PM.

    '21 M2 Competition
    '08 Z4 M Coupé
    '19 Golf R

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    North San Diego, Las Vegas
    Posts
    1,959
    Yes...The E34 5er was the last of the 5 series cars to have the VIN tags to all panels to my understanding.
    Lawrence
    "But Mama....That's where the fun is!"
    BMW CCA #192742
    San Diego & Sin City Chapter
    NRA Lifetime Member

    STABLE
    '90 M3 AWII - Garage Queen (The Crown Jewel)
    '20 X5 M Sport Tourquis Blue - #3 Son Ride
    '23 X5 M Sport Sapphire Black - #1 Son Ride
    '23 X5 M Sport Mineral White - Daughter & Grand Kids Ride
    '24 X4 M40i Brooklyn Grey - SO's New Ride
    '05 330i ZHP Mystic Blue Metallic 6 spd - My Ride
    '03 Nissan Frontier XE Crew Cab - Hauler & Down Range vehicle

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 8
    Last Post: 02-23-2014, 08:47 AM
  2. Car/ Body Protection
    By das boots in forum Detailing
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 05-30-2012, 06:19 PM
  3. Body work
    By NorCalZman in forum General -- ZHP Related
    Replies: 35
    Last Post: 05-22-2012, 02:03 PM
  4. BMW 330i ZHP Rear seat black alcantara side panel
    By danewilson77 in forum General -- ZHP Related
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-08-2012, 07:16 AM
  5. Remove Panel
    By das boots in forum Lighting
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 10-27-2011, 03:14 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •