Meaning of Chassis Numbers

[krusty]

BMWs are identified by the last 7 digits of the chassis number. For Z4s, these are numbers like:

LF69601 or LE90488

I was expecting that a higher number would mean a later production date, but looking at cars listed for sale, this does not seem to be the case.

Does anyone know:

Is there any order or meaning to the numbering system?

And why LE or LF? Any meaning?

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by krusty

BMWs are identified by the last 7 digits of the chassis number. For Z4s, these are numbers like:

LF69601 or LE90488

I was expecting that a higher number would mean a later production date, but looking at cars listed for sale, this does not seem to be the case.

The car starting with LF is newer. The numbers work by letter-letter-5digit number. So what happens when you get to LE99999? You go to LF and begin again. You should also know that number ranges and some letters are reserved for different body types and certain markets, so it won't go from LE99999 to LF00001 because that body types reserved number range appears to be 6xxxxx and 9xxxxx.

For example, for the US market all M Coupes are LL9xxxx or LM0xxxx, while all M Roadsters are LE8xxxx or LY5xxxx.

[Ron Stygar]

Originally Posted by epbrown

For example, for the US market all M Coupes are LL9xxxx or LM0xxxx, while all M Roadsters are LE8xxxx or LY5xxxx.

First L is Assembly Plant: Greer, SC

LL93XXX, LM08XXX, LE89XXX, LY52XXX, LY53XXX, LY54XXX