How to decode a 1987 BMW 325i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1987 BMW 325i VIN
World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer. For the 1987 BMW 325i, the WMI is “WBA,” indicating it was manufactured by BMW AG in Munich, Germany. This code is crucial in deciphering a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), specifically pointing out the manufacturer and, sometimes, the vehicle type. With the WMI, one can determine that this specific BMW 325i falls within the model years 1987-1995 and 2001-2006, affirming its authenticity and origin as a German-engineered passenger car. This essential three-letter sequence helps in tracking, registering, and verifying vehicles globally.
List of WMI Codes for a 1987 BMW 325i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1987-1995, 2001-2006
- Example VIN: WBAAD2301H2445683
- Manufacturer Name: BMW AG
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Munich
- State or Province:
- Country: Germany
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1987 BMW 325i VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1987 BMW 325i:
| Known VDS for a 1987 BMW 325i | ||
|---|---|---|
| AD230 | AD130 | BB230 |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1987 BMW 325i VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the 1987 BMW 325i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 1987 |
11th Character in the 1987 BMW 325i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1987 BMW 325i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBABB2300H1943129 | ||
| 2 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAD2301H2445683 | ||
| 8 | Regensburg | Germany | WBAAD1301H8830765 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 BMW 325i
The final 6 characters in a 1987 BMW 325i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1987 BMW 325i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1987 BMW 325i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 325i near where the dashboard meets the windshield, which can be easily viewed from outside the vehicle.
- Inspect the driver’s side door pillar when the door is open. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Examine the front engine block, as VINs were sometimes stamped onto the engine itself on older vehicles like the 1987 BMW 325i.
- Look for the Vehicle Identification Number on the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or the title (also known as the pink slip), which should correspond with your BMW 325i.
- Check under the hood for a metal plate or sticker which may contain the VIN, often located on the firewall of your BMW 325i.
- Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire; sometimes the VIN can be found stamped onto the body in this area on older BMW models.
What info can a 1987 BMW 325i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 1987, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, indicating it as a Passenger Car with a Body Class of Convertible/Cabriolet, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s general form and function.
- Engine Details: Specifics such as the engine manufacturer being BMW-AG, a displacement of approximately 2.49 liters (152 CI), 168 horsepower, and an engine with 6 cylinders can be decoded, offering a comprehensive look at the vehicle’s powerplant.
- Fuel Type: This specification indicates the vehicle’s compatibility with Gasoline, shedding light on fuel preferences and potential efficiency.
- Model Specifics: The VIN decodes to a 1987 BMW 325iC from the 3-Series E30, pinpointing its make, model year, and specific series for precise identification.
- Manufacturing Information: The production details reveal that the vehicle was assembled in Dingolfing, Germany, helping trace its origin and potentially affecting its valuation and appeal.
- Safety and Transmission: Features like a Manual seat belt and an Automatic transmission style can be uncovered, highlighting both safety mechanisms and driving dynamics.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): Indicated as Class 1, with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less, which informs on the vehicle’s size category and potential load capacity.
Don’t have your 1987 BMW 325i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 BMW 325i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 2490.833728 |
| Displacement (CI) | 152 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.490833728 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 168 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | 325iC |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Series2 | E30 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | Cabrio |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBABB230*H1 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBABB2300H1943129 |
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