2009 BMW 3 Series - Specification

[VX220BBT]

Hi,

I’m looking to buy a 2009 BMW 3 series.

Could someone tell me the options list on the car I’m considering via the registration plate?

It does seem to be well equipped. iDrive, Front / Rear parking sensors, Heated seats, Xenon lights etc..

I’ll PM the Reg to whoever would be so kind as to check the options list for me

Thanks

[Fore Left]

The BMW warranty site used to display the VIN when you put in the reg but no more it seems. However a quick Google reveals https://www.enginecentre.com gives you the VIN from the reg. You can then put the last 7 characters into http://bimmer.work/ to get the spec.

Edit; grama.

Edited by Fore Left on Sunday 28th April 20:29

[Zebrs]

You need the VIN for the build sheets, and there are many apps you can do this through yourself. VIN used to be available by inputting the reg into the BMW warranty calculators, but they’ve stopped this it seems. There’s probably other sources, maybe basic HPI checks.

Seems I was beaten to it above

[Touring442]

Just make sure it isn't a 318i or 320i.


You really, really don't want one of those.

[VX220BBT]

Touring442 said:

Just make sure it isn't a 318i or 320i.


You really, really don't want one of those.

It’s a 330d Auto

[Mr Tidy]

After BMW Warranty stopped showing the VIN Carzana used to do it from the Reg. No. but they've stopped doing it now.

Just ask the seller for the VIN - you only need the last 7 characters on sites like "bmwvin" etc.

[Mike335i]

As per the above, but a useful tip I found was to look for speakers in the A pillar as this signifies that it has the Logic 7 system, a worthwhile upgrade to the audio system.

[rayyan171]

Fore Left said:

The BMW warranty site used to display the VIN when you put in the reg but no more it seems. However a quick Google reveals https://www.enginecentre.com gives you the VIN from the reg. You can then put the last 7 characters into http://bimmer.work/ to get the spec.

Edit; grama.

Edited by Fore Left on Sunday 28th April 20:29

Very nicely done, thanks! Have been looking for a number plate decode thing for a long time since BMW removed it from their site, but this website works for any car.

[VX220BBT]

Going by that... These are the options on the car.

[to3m]

rayyan171 said:

Fore Left said:

The BMW warranty site used to display the VIN when you put in the reg but no more it seems. However a quick Google reveals https://www.enginecentre.com gives you the VIN from the reg. You can then put the last 7 characters into http://bimmer.work/ to get the spec.

Very nicely done, thanks! Have been looking for a number plate decode thing for a long time since BMW removed it from their site, but this website works for any car.

I believe there's a reason why sites with this functionality tend to remove it once it becomes widely known...

(If you're looking to buy a second hand BMW right now, though, take advantage while you still can - I found a similar site when I was looking for a car in late 2017, and it was super useful. Many adverts were vague and/or misleading, and being able to get the spec sheet was super helpful when I was trying to narrow it down to cars I'd actually personally want to actually buy.)

[rayyan171]

to3m said:

I believe there's a reason why sites with this functionality tend to remove it once it becomes widely known...

(If you're looking to buy a second hand BMW right now, though, take advantage while you still can - I found a similar site when I was looking for a car in late 2017, and it was super useful. Many adverts were vague and/or misleading, and being able to get the spec sheet was super helpful when I was trying to narrow it down to cars I'd actually personally want to actually buy.)

Is it to do with GDPR?

[to3m]

rayyan171 said:

to3m said:

I believe there's a reason why sites with this functionality tend to remove it once it becomes widely known...

(If you're looking to buy a second hand BMW right now, though, take advantage while you still can - I found a similar site when I was looking for a car in late 2017, and it was super useful. Many adverts were vague and/or misleading, and being able to get the spec sheet was super helpful when I was trying to narrow it down to cars I'd actually personally want to actually buy.)

Is it to do with GDPR?

Well, perhaps you'd like to think so? - but my understanding is that it's simply that the cost is low enough that you might decide it's OK to give it away for free, but high enough that you'll notice once the entire internet starts hitting you up for it.

(Yes, this is a thread resurrection, sorry - spotted this while searching through my old posts looking for something!)