Paint Code on E46

[nit78]

I am trying to find the paint code for my 2000 323i, do you know where it is:?

[woobiee]

should be on the driver side door jam

what color is it?

i got jet black = Schwartz II = 668

[AZ325Ci]

its located on the driver's side door jam as well as the strut tower in the engine (driver's side). you will see the numbers for your paint code.

[egalley]

It's the last 3 numbers of you VIN #

[woobiee]

Originally posted by egalley@Mar 17 2004, 09:18 PM
It's the last 3 numbers of you VIN #

that is incorrect. mine does not match up. and this is how the VIN# breaks up:

17 total digits:

-(first 3 digits) = Manufacturer: WBA - BMW AG
-(4-6 digits) = Model: AM3 323i
AM5 328i
BM3 323Ci
BM5 328Ci
AV5 330i
BS5 330Cic
BN5 330Ci
BS3 325Cic
BN3 325Ci
AV3 325i
AN3 325i SA built
AW3 325iT
-(7th Digit) = Country: 3 - United States Model
-(8th Digit) = Restraint System: a 3 or a 4 - dual, depowered airbags
-(9th Digit) - Check Digit
-(10th Digit) - Model Year: X 1999
Y 2000
1 2001
2 2002
-(11th Digit) - Assembly Plant : F Munich
K Munich
C Dingolfing
F Dingolfing
E Regensberg
J Regensberg
N South Africa (currently 325i's only)
-(12-17 Digits) = Serial Number

So for example, a 2002 BMW 330Ci Coupe purchased in the United States with airbags should look like this:

WBA BN5 3 4 "X" 2 J "XXXXXX" = 17 digit VIN# ("X" = variables)

[egalley]

Hmmm...... Well I just bought a lip spoiler and I couldn't find the paint code anywhere. So I called my dealer and they told me it's the last three digits. So I gave the paint shop those 3 digits along with model etc.., and the spoiler matches my car perfectly.

[Furious]

read the FAQ thread about VIN numbers it explains how it works. the last 3 digits are NOT your paint code. ive talked to BMW canada and they said its a myth

[Paintwerks]

Hey guys,

I'm brand new to this forum, but thought I should chime in and clear the paint code issue up. I am a spray painter and own a bodyshop.

Firstly, the last 3 digit thing is simply NOT true. Could you imagine that IF the paint code were the last 3 digits how confusing that would be? Every car of the same colour would have the exact same three last digits. They produce thousands of the same cars....it would be impossible to use the same last three numbers for every car of the same colour....they'd run out of VIN numbers very quickly.

The reason why the dealer asked for the last 3 of the VIN is because they enter that into their lookup system and it gives them all the details on the vehicle....model, colour and options etc. This info is contained on a BMW internal information system and is not publicly accessible.

HTH.

[Lord Vader]

This thread was 8 years old! Please check the date of the threads before posting please. The information in your post was covered by the last poster before you bumped it.