E30 M3 chassis numbers

okay here goes:

look at chassis number, you will have'WBS' then a model number like 'AK07' , then 3 insignificant digits then the serial like 'ae42418'

model numbers are:

AK01 - 200bhp non-catalyst models

AK03 - US models

AK05 - 195bhp and later 215bhp models with catalyst

AK07 - Sport Evolution (EVO3)

BB01 - convertables without cat

BB05 - convertables with cat

serial numbers:

AK01 cars:
07/85 to 02/87 - 0842001 to 0845000
02/87 to 07/87 - 219001 to 2190004 and 2190788 to 2190879
02/87 to 05/87 (EVO1) 2190005 to 2190787
07/87 to 01/89 - 2190880 to 2191371 and 2191954 to 2199224
03/88 to 05/88 (EVO2) 2191372 to 2191953
09/87 to 01/89 - 1893242 to 1894694
01/89 to 08/89 - AE31000 to AE31242

AK03 cars:
12/86 to 01/89 - 2195001 to 2198685
01/89 to 12/90 - AE33000 to AE34628

AK05 cars:
09/86 to 07/87 - 1891001 to 1893241
09/87 to 01/89 - 1893242 to 1894694
01/89 to 08/89 - AE40000 to AE40336 and AE40869 to AE40899
04/89 to 07/89 (Cecotto & Ravaglia) AE40337 to AE40868
09/89 to 12/90 (215bhp cars) AE40900 to AE42418

AK07 cars:
12/89 to 03/90 - AC79000 to AC79599 (evo3/sport evo)

post reply if you need cabriolet details, my fingers can't cope with anymore typing at the moment.

This may also help:

http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi

If you provide the last 7 digits of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), this decoder will give you the production date and model type.

Just tried that decoder, said my car was built in 1990 yet i know its an '87 car???????

JC , e30 m3 wrote: Mine came out as manufactured in november 88 which I believe is correct, also says 'catalogue model - ECE' can anyone shed any light on what the 'ECE' signifies (if anything)? Jamie

I have always believed the ECE stands for 'European' model, i'm sure someone else can give you a full description.

JC , e30 m3 wrote: Cheers Mark, It left the factory in the same macao blue/silver leather spec. any clues?

Sounds exactly like my Cecotto, I'm pretty sure the silver half leather spec with light grey M Power cloth combined with the light grey/silver plastic is Cecotto only.

As far as I can remember the Europameister (195 bhp) had a full leather interior as standard. It did not have the additional spoiler package (as per Evo 2 and Cecotto/Ravaglia). Wheels were silver.

Cheers lads, mine has full silver leather interior including door cards and centre console but no sign of the plaque though i suppose someone may have removed this as a nice souvenir somewhere in the last 14 years?? Chassis number ends in 1894594... Original wheels long since parted company with car.

Yes it does! have you been following me??? The one I saw at Gaydon was F977 too - I'm a little confused about this because I could understand consecutive/similar reg no.s if the plates were issued 'at birth' but my car wasn't imported into the UK til 2000??? Do you own one too Boybimmer? Was it you i spoke to at Gaydon? Who has the others? how many are in the UK? Will we ever find out? Tune in later for the next exciting episode......

hi have not been following you! saw you last night( mon eve) on the m3 london bound ,near hook. i was doing about 90ish and you came on past. had a double take, thought it was mine. mine was at gaydon reg no is f947 ,mine was imported in 98 i think. think i proably did speak to you at gaydon in august.