What year is my X5?? Please help

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by bmwman3241

Germany
BMW
A
FE81
0
8
2009

Those are the 4 answers for the VIN decoder. It might be a 2009 after all.

Did you buy your X5 in the U.S.? If so, the M Sport wasn't available until April 2009, so it must be a 2009.

[bmwman3241]

Originally Posted by EdwardL

Sounds like your parts person ran a VIN check - I've had this done also to confirm that the car I was paying for had the right options... if it says your Production Date is 2008-04-04 then your car is a 2008 build.

Now I don't think this applies in your case but there is a difference between Build date and Compliance date. For example, mine has a production date of Dec 02 2009 - so it is a 2009 build BUT it was complianced in Feb 2010, so some dealers would try to say that they are selling me a 2010 car. However, when it comes time to sell, buyers/dealer will go by the Build date when valuing that car.

My dealer first told me the car he was selling me was a 2010 vehicle, but I did my research and asked the question, and eventually got the whole truth - my car is a 2009 build, but it is a 2010 model (because it has the HDD nav, new iDrive and TopView camera). Although it was 2009 build, it did have the 2010 features, and I needed a car quickly so I took the deal.

Your car will have a Build plate (pop the engine hood open - on mine its in top left corner somewhere) that will confirm the Build date. It will also have a compliance plate (mine is on the door jamb of front passenger side), which will tell you the compliance date.

I will check the compliance date tomorrow morning. It might end up being a 2009, which is good.

If it does turn out to be a 2008, is there anything I could do about it? I have already driven the car for more than a year, but after knowing I paid for a 2009 and am driving a 2008, the car wouldn't really be the same to me anymore.

[bmwman3241]

Originally Posted by AwesomeM3

Did you buy your X5 in the U.S.? If so, the M Sport wasn't available until April 2009, so it must be a 2009.

Purchased in Dubai in December 2008.
This was a walk-in purchase, not an order, and the car was at the ports when I purchased it, so it had not been sitting at the dealers.

[Naz24]

if the 10th number on your VIN is a 9 then it is a 2009, if its an 8 then its a 2008.

[EdwardL]

Like I said - check the build plate - that is put on at the factory and it will tell your car's production year. It tells you the age of a car and it's what matters most when it comes time to sell.

Check the compliance, which is put on at the port when it's passed inspection, since it can be a different year to the build year.

[bmwman3241]

Originally Posted by EdwardL

Your car will have a Build plate (pop the engine hood open - on mine its in top left corner somewhere) that will confirm the Build date. It will also have a compliance plate (mine is on the door jamb of front passenger side), which will tell you the compliance date.

I looked in both the places you mentioned but did not find anything. Under the hood, there is only 2 stickers. One is for the AC and one just says the color. On the passenger door, there is nothing either.
Drivers door only has the tire sticker.

If possible, could you take a picture of where it should be. I would appreciate it.

[StumpyPete]

I don't think the Compliance plate referred to above applies to all countries. Certainly my UK car doesn't have one.


This picture shows where the build date plate should be. Mine Says "BMW Built Apr 2007"

[X5 Meister]

You guys are killing me.

Here: BMW VIN Decoder - By Mitsuhiko Kanekatsu

[EdwardL]

Originally Posted by bmwman3241

I looked in both the places you mentioned but did not find anything. Under the hood, there is only 2 stickers. One is for the AC and one just says the color. On the passenger door, there is nothing either.
Drivers door only has the tire sticker.

If possible, could you take a picture of where it should be. I would appreciate it.

My build plate is in same location as pic posted by StumpyPete. He may be right about the compliance sticker not applying to all countries...

[bmwman3241]

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

You guys are killing me.

Here: BMW VIN Decoder - By Mitsuhiko Kanekatsu

I did this just now, but it does not give any dates!? Only the production date.

StumpyPete & EdwardL, I don't have a compliance sticker or a build plate. Any other way to find out these 2 dates?