[Jim Dolan]

The following vehicle ID plate is for a car for sale on Ebay. The most curious thing about it is the 8/00 build date. I thought they closed the factory during the month of August.
http://i5.yimg.com/5/13297a47/h/5cd74c53/Vehicle+SN+Plate.jpg

Second is the Vin number: It matches my number exactly with the exception of "0" before the "y" (this letter is the year 00, X would be for 99 and so forth) which must be the interior. The only difference between my car and this one is the interior; exclusive here and mine's extended. The last five numbers are the serial number.

This car was built 218 cars after my July build. My question is: What are the European vin numbers like? Could some of our overseas friends upload a picture of their plate? Are these serial numbers just for US production or consecutive in order for all M5 builds. Persons with July or August builds would be best.

Thanks

------------------
Jim
00 M5 Titanium over Red

 

[Jim Dolan]

Disregard previous link for the photo and try this one.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/longman40?e&.intl=us&.flabel=fld4&.from=d&.pindex=1&start=1&.src=ph&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/longman40%3fd%26.flabel=fld4%26.intl=us%26.src=ph

 

[Tom M]

Jim,

Mine's a June build. My VIN has a "7" before the "y," FWIW.

Tom

 

[Tom M]

Jim,

Could be they closed for 4 calendar weeks beginning Monday, 8/7/00. The 1st was a Tuesday, so maybe there was production for a few days in August before they shut. Just a guess.

Tom

 

[marlin]

 

[marlin]

 

[MarkM5Lauderdale]

Originally posted by marlin:
<img src=http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/longman40?e&.intl=us&.flabel=fld4&.from=d&.pindex=1&start=1&.src=ph&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/bc/longman40%3fd%26.flabel=fld4%26.intl=us%26.sr c=ph>

 

[MarkM5Lauderdale]

<img src=http://i5.yimg.com/5/13297a47/h/tn_71c86a08/Vehicle+SN+Plate.jpg>

 

[Jim Dolan]

Does anyone know what GMBH on that plate stands for?

 

[Anzir]

Well, my german is pretty bad.. alright, non-existant, but I think GMBH is an abbreviation for what we in the states would put as Co. or Inc.
I'm sure someone who knows German will chime in soon.

 

[Tom M]

Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung. Literally, company with limited liability. It does not imply a public listing, which in Germany is an AG (Aktiengesellschaft) or stock company. Closest comparison to a GmbH is an Ltd. or plc in the UK.

 

[Jim Dolan]

Originally posted by Tom M:
Gesellschaft mit beschraenkter Haftung. Literally, company with limited liability. It does not imply a public listing, which in Germany is an AG (Aktiengesellschaft) or stock company. Closest comparison to a GmbH is an Ltd. or plc in the UK.

Thanks Tom, looks like what Anzir was saying and I suspected as well. The division in BMW that builds M cars is: BMW M, GmbH. The comma helps. I read in the book "BMW M-Series this division also does the "individuals and runs the Drivers school in motosport. Now we know more than we did.

Thanks for your contribution.

Jim

------------------
Jim
00 M5 Titanium over Red