Missing VIN???

Jimifighter · 07-17-2007, 10:13 AM

This was odd, took my E90 to the local police station to get a VIN verification for registration in FL by mail. When the officer gets to the car, he looks for the VIN under the front left windshield and THERE IS NO VIN THERE!

He asks "Is this car stolen?"... Here's your sign...I bring stolen cars to the police station all the time to see if you guys are on the ball...

Anyway, I run down to Tate BMW in Annapolis where everyone is bewildered, VIN is on the chassis and on the inside of the door. They look into it and call me back today saying I need to call BMW USA and see if they can do anything.

Got the car two years ago through military sales, any ideas?

Revlis · 07-17-2007, 10:19 AM

Interesting but I'd say no big deal so long as the VIN is elsewhere and legible. Bring your bill of sale or a letter from the local BMW Dealership. Maybe???

montreal_bimmer · 07-17-2007, 10:20 AM

never heard of this before

Bram335 · 07-17-2007, 10:24 AM

Are you sure it's not stolen?

bronco · 07-17-2007, 10:27 AM

if it was stollent, it would have had all the VINs + some extra ones, maybe

tjnptel1 · 07-17-2007, 10:28 AM

Speaking of which, my sister's 2006 325i went missing in charleston, sc. hmm... what's your street address?

Jimifighter · 07-17-2007, 10:38 AM

Yeah, pretty sure it's not stolen. Picked it up new from Hilton Head BMW and it has been registered in SC for two years.

My fear is that when I upgrade to the M3 I will not be able to sell the car with the missing VIN. I am a few years from convincing the wife that I need the M3 though.

mesier1111 · 07-17-2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimifighter

My fear is that when I upgrade to the M3 I will not be able to sell the car with the missing VIN. I am a few years from convincing the wife that I need the M3 though.

....see there, if you had a 335i coupe, you wouldn't need to upgrade because with Vishnu and other upgrades you would have the fastest and best car on the road

JmanE55 · 07-17-2007, 11:05 AM

That's very interesting.

Ryan@Motorwerks · 07-17-2007, 11:17 AM

Maybe the original windshield got damaged in transit?

ElCapitan · 07-17-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335e90

Maybe the original windshield got damaged in transit?

The VIN is not on the windshield but is visible through it.

ward · 07-17-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335e90

Maybe the original windshield got damaged in transit?

the vin isn't in the glass, it's on the dash under the glass

Jimifighter · 07-17-2007, 11:45 AM

Yeah, service guy thought that maybe the windshield was replaced before delivery and they somehow knocked off the VIN plate. He thought it was just a sticker.

JackMac · 07-17-2007, 11:52 AM

You VIN some, you lose some...

That is odd. The only time I've seen a vehicle without a VIN plate is when it is a manufacturer's demo (not for sale pre-production car). But you do have a VIN in other locations, so that would not apply here.

spey15 · 07-17-2007, 12:03 PM

This is most likely not pertinent to your case, but the VIN can be found at the BMW site through the owner's circle at the time of production of your auto. How do get auto insurance without a VIN?

TYW · 07-17-2007, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimifighter

He asks "Is this car stolen?"... Here's your sign...I bring stolen cars to the police station all the time to see if you guys are on the ball...

Too funny....

SoYank · 07-17-2007, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElCapitan

The VIN is not on the windshield but is visible through it.

But if the windshield had been replaced and the unpainted opening was not in the correct spot it would be covering the VIN plate making the plate appear "missing".

ElCapitan · 07-17-2007, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoYank

But if the windshield had been replaced and the unpainted opening was not in the correct spot it would be covering the VIN plate making the plate appear "missing".

I see your point but I would be concerned with parts that would not fit properly. The windshield are model specific and if the manufacturer canot align the VIN viewing window correctly that plant is not very professional...

tctic · 07-17-2007, 01:23 PM

Isn't the VIN on the right lower corner? (Well... depends on how you define left/right) But when you are looking at the VIN, it's should be on your right side. (Driver's Side) There's also a VIN on the Chassis if you look in the engine compartment.

Jimifighter · 07-17-2007, 02:10 PM

Just got off the phone with BMW NA, they really have no idea either. They said they will call the dealership...which told me to call them...let's see how long this goes back and forth.

SoYank · 07-17-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ElCapitan

I see your point but I would be concerned with parts that would not fit properly. The windshield are model specific and if the manufacturer canot align the VIN viewing window correctly that plant is not very professional...

I was thinking a non-OEM part.

Garrett · 07-17-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tctic

Isn't the VIN on the right lower corner? (Well... depends on how you define left/right) But when you are looking at the VIN, it's should be on your right side. (Driver's Side) There's also a VIN on the Chassis if you look in the engine compartment.

Driver side is the left side of the car bro ...!!

07-17-2007, 10:13 AM	#1
Jimifighter Private First Class 19 Rep 137 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Beaufort, SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	Missing VIN??? This was odd, took my E90 to the local police station to get a VIN verification for registration in FL by mail. When the officer gets to the car, he looks for the VIN under the front left windshield and THERE IS NO VIN THERE! He asks "Is this car stolen?"... Here's your sign...I bring stolen cars to the police station all the time to see if you guys are on the ball... Anyway, I run down to Tate BMW in Annapolis where everyone is bewildered, VIN is on the chassis and on the inside of the door. They look into it and call me back today saying I need to call BMW USA and see if they can do anything. Got the car two years ago through military sales, any ideas?
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

07-17-2007, 10:19 AM	#2
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	Interesting but I'd say no big deal so long as the VIN is elsewhere and legible. Bring your bill of sale or a letter from the local BMW Dealership. Maybe??? __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 10:20 AM	#3
montreal_bimmer OEMconcept 174 Rep 5,593 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Canada \| USA iTrader: (6) Garage List 2006 325i [10.00]	never heard of this before
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 10:24 AM	#4
Bram335 First Lieutenant 17 Rep 302 Posts Drives: 335 AW Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Are you sure it's not stolen?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 10:27 AM	#5
bronco Colonel 76 Rep 2,104 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	if it was stollent, it would have had all the VINs + some extra ones, maybe __________________ SaaS - The world of tomorrow is already here...www.saaschronicles.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 10:28 AM	#6
tjnptel1 Cunning Linguist 149 Rep 2,219 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Norfolk, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 335i [0.00]	Speaking of which, my sister's 2006 325i went missing in charleston, sc. hmm... what's your street address? __________________ Bottles are for babies, Real men get blown.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 10:38 AM	#7
Jimifighter Private First Class 19 Rep 137 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Beaufort, SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	Yeah, pretty sure it's not stolen. Picked it up new from Hilton Head BMW and it has been registered in SC for two years. My fear is that when I upgrade to the M3 I will not be able to sell the car with the missing VIN. I am a few years from convincing the wife that I need the M3 though.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 11:05 AM	#9
JmanE55 Lieutenant 11 Rep 600 Posts Drives: 07 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0) Garage List 09 C4S [0.00] 2007 E92 [0.00] 2006 CLS55 [0.00] 2006 E55 [0.00]	That's very interesting. __________________ CURRENT: 13 Turbo S - DD 12 Continental GT - Weekend Fun 13 GS350 Fsport - Wife's DD 13 RX350 Fsport - Family Hauler 14 IS350 Fsport - DD2 ** 14 Nissan GTR - Track GONE: 13GS350 Fsport, 11TT, 13GTR BE, 13GS350 Fsport, 13 GTR Premium, 13GS350 Fsport, 09TT, 11 RX350, 12 IS350 Fsport, 10 E63, 08 E350, 11 RR HSE, 10 GTR, 09 C2S cab, 09 C4S, 09 C63, 06 CLS55, 06 E55, 05 E55
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 11:17 AM	#10
Ryan@Motorwerks Captain 48 Rep 963 Posts Drives: X3M Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	Maybe the original windshield got damaged in transit?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 11:45 AM	#13
Jimifighter Private First Class 19 Rep 137 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Beaufort, SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	Yeah, service guy thought that maybe the windshield was replaced before delivery and they somehow knocked off the VIN plate. He thought it was just a sticker.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 11:52 AM	#14
JackMac Recovering BMW Addict 151 Rep 1,914 Posts Drives: <OO (\|\|\|)(\|\|\|) OO> Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southeast PA iTrader: (7) Garage List 2010 MINI John Coop ... [9.66]	You VIN some, you lose some... That is odd. The only time I've seen a vehicle without a VIN plate is when it is a manufacturer's demo (not for sale pre-production car). But you do have a VIN in other locations, so that would not apply here.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 12:03 PM	#15
spey15 New Member 1 Rep 17 Posts Drives: Toyota truck, e93 335i Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	This is most likely not pertinent to your case, but the VIN can be found at the BMW site through the owner's circle at the time of production of your auto. How do get auto insurance without a VIN?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 01:23 PM	#19
tctic Major 38 Rep 1,238 Posts Drives: BMW E90 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Isn't the VIN on the right lower corner? (Well... depends on how you define left/right) But when you are looking at the VIN, it's should be on your right side. (Driver's Side) There's also a VIN on the Chassis if you look in the engine compartment.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2007, 02:10 PM	#20
Jimifighter Private First Class 19 Rep 137 Posts Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Beaufort, SC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	Just got off the phone with BMW NA, they really have no idea either. They said they will call the dealership...which told me to call them...let's see how long this goes back and forth.
	Appreciate 0 Quote