2000 E39 2nd VIN location (LHD)

[D's E39]

Hey Guys,

I'm having a hard time finding a second VIN location on my imported 2000 528i msport. In order to register and pass inspection in British Columbia we require the VIN to be visible in 2 locations. I found one stamped on the left front shock tower. Because it is a European spec car the VIN is not in the standard drivers side dash location. Nothing found on the inside of the door sill or under the rear license plate cover. Can anybody please provide some insight regarding any other locations?

Thanks!

[RyanV]

Is there anything on the cowl, right hand side (just below the windscreen)? I have a VIN there on my E36.

[D's E39]

Thanks for the quick response Ryan, the lower 4" of my windshield is tinted black and I do not see any numbers. There is a plastic panel about 3" wide which covers the wiper motors etc. This panel butts up against the bottom of the windshield along the entire width. Is this the area you are speaking of? I'll attach a picture of this ASAP incase I am overlooking something.

D

[D's E39]

Here are a couple of pics under the passenger side wiper/cowel.

[RyanV]

Doesn't look like it's there on your car. On E34's I think there is a sticker on the inside of the fuse box lid. On the W210 Mercedes there is one under the passenger seat....Euro cars don't seem to make the second VIN location very easy to find. Have you had a look around the trunk? I read another thread where someone thought it was near a battery in the trunk.

Alternately, you don't HAVE to find the second VIN. You could get a BC assigned VIN (assuming you are in BC). This is what the previous owner did with my wife's E46.

[RyanV]

Doing some more searching, some E38 owners have found a VIN sticker behind their rear license plate mount. Maybe check there?

[jdmvip]

If you cannot find it you can always get a BC assigned VIN.

[RyanV]

Did you ever find a second VIN location on your E39? Or did you go with a BC assigned VIN?

[RyanV]

From looking around and talking to people, yes, there is supposed to be a VIN sticker on the rear plate holder, but my car didn't come with a rear plate holder...So I also got a tip that the VIN could be on the ECU. I haven't checked myself, but the shop I'm having the inspection done at says it's not there...damn!

I called a ICBC broker location and they said they can do the registration with just one VIN as long at it's a 17 digit VIN, so we'll see how this plays out when I go to register which could be later this week.