Vehicle Ident No# - model year?

el_espiritu · 07-10-2007, 06:38 AM

Is there any way to identify the building year according to the vehicle ident code?

jackal2000 · 07-10-2007, 10:10 AM

The eighth digit from the right end identifies the model year of the vehicle.

X – 1999
Y – 2000
Z – not used
Beginning with 2001, numbers are used to designate the model year.
1 – 2001
2 – 2002
3 – 2003
4 – 2004

el_espiritu · 07-10-2007, 02:10 PM

OK, thanx. I have an "X" in the number, so mine is really a 1999 model. Strange cause it was first declared at german dealer in 2001.....

Do have the first models from 1999 some more "weaknesses" than newer ones...?

jackal2000 · 07-10-2007, 02:34 PM

not really. if the motor is the v6 the weakest thing is the lower intake manifold gasket which i dont think was corrected until 2003.

AGT · 07-10-2007, 03:26 PM

Even then I had a 1999 3400 and it never had that problem (LIMGL)

jackal2000 · 07-10-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGT

Even then I had a 1999 3400 and it never had that problem (LIMGL)

consider yourself lucky.

AGT · 07-10-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackal2000

consider yourself lucky.

Do you feel lucky...well do ya

el_espiritu · 07-11-2007, 02:01 AM

Is the gasket hard to change?

But my engine currently has "only" 70.000km, I assume it should work ok for the next time...