The ECU exists yet the vin number indicated does not exist?

[noid]

I just took out a 380 ECU out of my E30, expecting to find a 153, that I changed with a 173. The Vin sticker on the ECU reads:

WBATE5FFHA1716242

It seem that this car does not exist??? When I search the last 7 digits in realoem I get an 1986 535i m30 e28 HOWEVER when I decode the vin here http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/ I find out that what Realoem and this decoder is decoding is vin number:

WBADC740XH1716242

Notice that the 7 last numbers are the same?

Carfax, and other similar decoders are also unable to decode WBATE5FFHA1716242

What in the hell is going on?

[noid]

Lets bump this for fun.

[M-technik-3]

Good question, every site I look at is the same E28 535i.

[noid]

Got a response from BMW Germany on this:


Thanks for your Mail.
WBATE5FFHA1716242 is not the VIN of your Car.
The Sticker on the Side show many more information.

Here the explanation:

WBATE5FFHA << That is a internal General VIN
1716242 << BMW Partnumber of the control unit
C81E << internal code for programming

Please check the vehicle registration documents.
There you will find the correct VIN and I am sure you will find your car.

If you have any more questions around electrical systems, do not hesitate to contact me.

Greetings from Munich.

Kind regards
Eyk Radmann

[dirty30]

VIN WBADC740XH1716242
Type code DC74
Type 535 I US (USA)
E series E28 ()
Series 5
Type LIM
Steering LL
Doors 4
Engine M30
Displacement 3.50
Power 0
Drive HECK
Transmission MECH
Colour ZINNOBERROT (138 )
Upholstery (0203)
Prod.date 1986-12-17

[noid]

Do you even read bro?

[dirty30]

Do you even read bro?

I did, I just posted that there because I was bored. I have no idea what is going on with your VIN but the 17 digit VINs never repeat the last 7. An old 7 digit VIN may be the same as a 17 digit though.

[M-technik-3]

Very strange, all of the ecu's that I have kicking about have had the same VIN as the chassis had. Odd

[noid]

Likely it was a replacement ECU.

[603Racing]

For sure, someone put it in there not really knowing it wasn't the right one... unless you have an m30 in your e30.

[noid]

For sure, someone put it in there not really knowing it wasn't the right one... unless you have an m30 in your e30.

380 is for an m20b25. The vin number on the ecu as explained by BMW germany is a general vin plus the part number.

This was likely a replacement ecu ordered through a parts desk at a dealership. The extra ecus that bmw has probably all have the "general internal vin".