[vern]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

If the production date has a real date, not 1-1-1, it is virtually guaranteed that the car was really built on that date and is on the road. 1-1-1 means the VIN and the build order have been generated, but the car hasn't rolled out of the plant yet.

I'm actually worried that they'll close this loophole. But I just couldn't keep it to myself.

I've been trying to get on to the BMW vin decoder and can't get on . Any suggestions? TIA
cheers
vern

[Hayir]

Woww!. I was surprised to get information about my car using the VIN. I was thinking why BMW is doing this. Now I see that you can even get information on the cars which are not on the roads yet.

How does BMW VIN gets this information? Why does BMW makes this information public?


Anyway, I am surprised the 328d uses the 320d engine. I was expecting something more powerrful like the 525d engine.

[SomeRandomer123]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Online VIN database + knowledge that Germans are anal-retentive enough to always allocate a set of VINs in batches starting at 000 or 500, and only very rarely at some other number, but still with 00 at the end. Munich plant code is F (not only F actually, but that's what I see all new 3 series to come with). So, you just have to iterate through 2000 numbers.

Simples!

[ynguldyn]

I'm not going to comment on how to access the database. All of that is courtesy of BMW ASAP. The procedure for accessing it is public knowledge. Google and ye shall find.

[Bradbury]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Suprise 3: US F31 328d xDrive auto:
Type 328XD (USA)
Power 135

This looks strange. 135 kw is what you get with the 20d and 20i, right? But in the US, this engine is branded as a 28d?

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by Bradbury

This looks strange. 135 kw is what you get with the 20d and 20i, right? But in the US, this engine is branded as a 28d?

Correct.

Don't question your sanity. This is just a game BMW is playing with us.

[ynguldyn]

I believe this is the F31 that was at NAIAS. Note that it's MY2014:

VIN long WBA3G7C54EF186006
Type code 3G7C
Type 328I XDR (USA)
Dev. series F31 ()
Line 3
Body type TOUR
Steering LL
Door count 5
Engine N20
Cubical capacity 2.00
Power 180
Transmision ALLR
Gearbox AUT
Colour MINERALGRAU METALLIC (B39)
Upholstery LEDER DAKOTA/OYSTER/ AKZENT OYSTER (LCL9)
Prod. date 2012-09-14

[ynguldyn]

Holy crap I made front page.

Here's an updated 4 Series models list:

[SamS]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Holy crap I made front page.

Nice work

[ynguldyn]

I wonder if F80 is being built elsewhere? Or maybe they use a different plant code letter for Munich instead of F? It's hiding somewhere, and I can't find it.

I wish I had a Transbase viewer...

[maswastage]

435d with the 308 horsepower diesel? Why oh why can't we have this in the US? Hell give it to us in the sedan, I'll still take it.

[robbieracer]

Originally Posted by maswastage

435d with the 308 horsepower diesel? Why oh why can't we have this in the US? Hell give it to us in the sedan, I'll still take it.

+1, I'll buy one too!

[Falafel Combo]

So how about that shakir orange interior on that M4?

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by robbieracer

+1, I'll buy one too!

Ok, that makes 2 of you. Still not enough.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Holy crap I made front page.

Well, YEAH!!?? This is big news, if proven accurate. Nice work!

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by KORALLROT

Well, YEAH!!?? This is big news, if proven accurate. Nice work!

And shocking by the way (to me at least). 415 for the M4? Seriously? That makes it just a tad better than a tuned N55 with a body kit.

Let the f8x bashing begin!

[Nero7]

Nice find, thanks ynguldyn . I would like to see more info about the 4 series Grand Coupe

[kevlartoronto]

so there will be a rwd and xdrive auto f31 diesel. what about the sedan diesel? any more info on a manual rwd diesel?

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by kevlartoronto

so there will be a rwd and xdrive auto f31 diesel. what about the sedan diesel? any more info on a manual rwd diesel?

It seems like however many combinations BMW makes, there is always someone out there that wants specifically the combination they DO NOT offer.

[kevlartoronto]

it's not like having a manual transmission is a crazy demand esp with the 3 series. they offer it with the 320i, 328i, 335i, and m3, why not with the 328d? i can deal with not having awd. i get why they don't offer the manual with x1, x3, x5, x6 and 7 series. i can handle buying a sedan over the wagon to get a manual. in fact, this is what i am doing right now. i have a 6 spd avant. to my dismay, both audi and bmw both killed the manual in their respective wagons.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by kevlartoronto

it's not like having a manual transmission is a crazy demand esp with the 3 series. they offer it with the 320i, 328i, 335i, and m3, why not with the 328d? i can deal with not having awd. i get why they don't offer the manual with x1, x3, x5, x6 and 7 series. i can handle buying a sedan over the wagon to get a manual. in fact, this is what i am doing right now. i have a 6 spd avant. to my dismay, both audi and bmw both killed the manual in their respective wagons.

Not sure about the wagon, but the Diesel engine supposedly makes too much torque for the manual box. Not sure if that is accurate, but is what I've heard.

[kevlartoronto]

i've driven the 320d manual in the uk. it's a great engine to have a manual with. in fact, go onto bmw.de the only 3 series not offered with a manual is the 330d. that includes xdrive and wagons. funny enough, the m3 is not offered with a manual in europe.