TheSamba.com :: View topic - M plate de-code

Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:09 am

Hey guys,

Over from the bay window forum here. I'm looking at a Vanagon and was curious if someone could de-code the M plate for me. My vanagon knowledge is pretty limited so I really appreciate the help.

I believe the Vanagon came from the factory as a Westfalia weekender (no exterior plugs) but just wanted to see if the plate would confirm this.

Thanks!
-Seth

Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:11 am

Give THIS a try.
And don't forget to post it up so the rest of us can see....

Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:38 am

Correct link here:

http://vw-mplate.com/mcode.php?lang=EN

Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:40 am

There is (or there should be) an M-code sticker just underneath the fuse box with a lot more info than that plate.

Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:41 am

:shock:
oops!

Thu Apr 12, 2018 1:26 pm

Thanks for the replies everyone. No luck de-coding that plate, I messaged the seller to check for the sticker underneath the fuse box, we’ll see what happens.

Thu Apr 12, 2018 1:47 pm

Many of those labels by the fuse box are long gone.

They were little more than a white paper label. Time has taken its toll on them.

That metal plate tells you factory body color and a few other things but it is not an M plate.

Dave

Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:35 pm

Do you have any pictures of the van? Maybe we can help you spot things that look to be factory or added later.

Thu Apr 12, 2018 4:44 pm

djkeev wrote: it is not an M plate.

I disagree. That is the M-code plate; the sticker is a build sheet.

M-code 526 shown on the OP's plate is "Luxury Version - Caravelle", thus making it, I presume, a "Weekender" in American vernacular.

S8S8 = Savanna Beige Metallic (LH1V)
29-7-6099 = the exact date the van was built at VW
UW = Originally imported into Washington

Thu Apr 12, 2018 8:19 pm

Not to highjack the OP's thread, but I've been trying to get through my M-code plate and so far I'm not succeeding with some of the data.
This is what I think I've got so far.
Can somebody correct my errors please?

VIN #WV2ZZZZ25MG009471

Top row:
49 1 6018 = 49th week of 1991 or December, 1991.
6018 = 6 haven’t a clue, but is #018 off assembly line for that month?
182 = no “M” code for 182 ???
251 G CA = model number 251G CA (251 = Type)
Question: Does the 3 digit type code of 251 read as the “M” code or is the “Type” code different from the “M” code? I can't see it as the M251 since that engine info is not my engine.
----------------------------------------
Second row:
R1RQQ = “R1” paint code in a four-digit sales code: Pastel White (L90D) [R1]
What does the RQQ equal to?

640 = “Permanent PVC underbody protection”
----------------------------------------
Bottom row:
MG 009 471 = the vin # WV2ZZZZ25MG009471

Thu Apr 12, 2018 11:33 pm

As I said, this plate gives some information. To me a true M Code plate lists out the various build options as they did in the old Type II days.

I consider the information found on what you call a build sheet to trully be the M code plate but you need both to have complete build information.

I consider this plate to be more akin to a chassis plate. Though the chassis plate has largely been replaced by the door jamb stickers. It is interesting that many units do not have these plates, just the holes to mount them. This is most frequently found on full campers with swivel seats.

Anyway, you are probably correct, it is the modern build plate I guess.
Call it what you want, but this plate won't give you the complete build M code options like the oft missing stickers provided.

Dave

Fri Apr 13, 2018 11:12 am

Steve M. wrote: Top row:
49 1 6018 = 49th week of 1991 or December, 1991.

Remember, production runs August to July. I.E., 1991 model year VW's were built beginning in August 1990. Ergo, your van was built on Monday, December 3, 1990 :wink:

Steve M. wrote: 6018 = 6 haven’t a clue, but is #018 off assembly line for that month?

Unless it's different for the vans, 6 is an internal code. So, #18 off the line that production day (December 3, 1990).

Steve M. wrote: 182 = no “M” code for 182 ???

Not an M-code.

Steve M. wrote: 251 G CA = model number 251G CA (251 = Type)
Question: Does the 3 digit type code of 251 read as the “M” code or is the “Type” code different from the “M” code? I can't see it as the M251 since that engine info is not my engine.

251 = Vanagon tin-top (as opposed to 255 = Vanagon camper)... IIRC

Steve M. wrote:
Second row:
R1RQQ = “R1” paint code in a four-digit sales code: Pastel White (L90D) [R1]
What does the RQQ equal to?

R1R1 = Single-tone Pastel White (as opposed to two-tone which would appear like R1S8)

djkeev wrote: As I said, this plate gives some information. To me a true M Code plate lists out the various build options as they did in the old Type II days.

You're too stuck in the air-cooled era, Dave. :lol: :P :P

The vans have a build sheet + M-code plate. The Cabriolets (and other water-pumpers) have a build sheet + a simple PKN plate:

^That PKN is basically nothing more than a build date.

Fri Apr 13, 2018 11:22 am

kamzcab86 wrote: Steve M. wrote: Top row:
49 1 6018 = 49th week of 1991 or December, 1991.

Remember, production runs August to July. I.E., 1991 model year VW's were built beginning in August 1990. Ergo, your van was built on Monday, December 3, 1990.
Unless it's different for the vans, 6 is an internal code. So, #18 off the line that production day (December 3, 1990).

Steve M. wrote: 182 = no “M” code for 182 ???

Yeah I knew there was something funny about how I was writing the date built out! The Dec. 3 1990 corresponds to it's date of 1st registration on Feb. 5th 1991. Probably sitting in a dealership during that time.

Just wondering what the "182" was for since it is 3 digits, but not on the M-codes list.

Wed May 27, 2020 11:04 pm

I am really curious about this as well.
Mine looks like this.

So... Mine should be from the third week in production year J?
So third week counted from the 1st of August 1980. So that would mean in the week of 22 of August 1987.

But that does not comply with many serial registrations that put my car made between 31st December 1987 and 31st January 1988.

1988 MODEL YEAR – J
SERIAL NUMBER MANU DATE FROM
000 001 01-08-87
016 652 31-08-87
024 569 30-09-87
034 293 31-10-87
045 748 30-11-87
050 666 31-12-87
060 498 31-01-88
070 111 29-02-88
081 314 31-03-88
091 749 30-04-88
098 911 31-05-88
099 344 30-06-88
120 000 31-07-88
source: https://busmaneurope.com/info-pages-europe/syncro-information/t3articles/t3-manufacturedays/

R1R1 is white, but what codes are used for other colours?
questions, questions. :)

Wed May 27, 2020 11:08 pm

If I look at the TS he/she has a colour code S8S8
So it would be;
LC7W, S8S8 Butterfly Silver Pearl
Than.... this is a list that could be used?
https://www.automotivetouchup.com/touch-up-paint/volkswagen/2006/all-models/

Wed May 27, 2020 11:18 pm

If I where to look at the sticker;

And compare it to the plate;
Type is 251 0AA - I need to search some more which kind of types there were...
And indeed, here you find the M-codes, so the sticker would be the "M-plate".

Wed May 27, 2020 11:18 pm

kamzcab86 wrote: M-code 526 shown on the OP's plate is "Luxury Version - Caravelle", thus making it, I presume, a "Weekender" in American vernacular.

The weekender would be a Multivan in Europe.

The Caravelle is a normal passenger van. The came in "C" very basic, "CL" a bit nicer and "GL" very nice, basically the same as the Vanagon GL.

Thu May 28, 2020 1:34 am

Beakerflo wrote:
So... Mine should be from the third week in production year J?
So third week counted from the 1st of August 1980. So that would mean in the week of 22 of August 1987.

...registrations that put my car made between 31st December 1987 and 31st January 1988.

The 03 indicates the 3rd week in the calendar year 1988, which is indeed January (January 24, 1988 to be specific).

Beakerflo wrote: R1R1 is white, but what codes are used for other colours?

You'll find that info in the paint code topic: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=527875 . :wink:

Beakerflo wrote: If I look at the TS he/she has a colour code S8S8
So it would be;
LC7W, S8S8 Butterfly Silver Pearl
Than.... this is a list that could be used?
https://www.automotivetouchup.com/touch-up-paint/volkswagen/2006/all-models/

S8 is the color's sales code for its era. S8S8 for a T3 is Savanna Beige Metallic (LH1V).

Thu May 28, 2020 1:55 am

kamzcab86 wrote: The 03 indicates the 3rd week in the calendar year 1988, which is indeed January (January 24, 1988 to be specific).

Thanks! Much appreciated. The rest of your post as well of course.

I did some more digging...

Ausstattungsaufkleber - equipment sticker found under the dash, under the fuse-box contains the following;

- the FIN, Fahrzeugidentifizierungsnummer or in English; vehicle identifying number
- the VIN
- the order key
- the engine code
- the gearbox letters
- the color codes
- the interior color (interior / upholstery codes)
- the additional equipment the so called m-codes

* The FIN in my example is 3863 03-7-6041 995 FR
I can not really decode this yet.

* The VIN starts with WV2 etc.

* The order key in my example is 251 0AA
which basically means; Kastenwagen (panelvan), with 2 seats in front and no more, DJ engine with syncro gearbox for 16" drive terrain.

The way it is built is, first 3 characters;
- 245 = Pritschenwagen - pick-up
- 247 = Doppelkabine - pick-up with double cab
- 251 = Kastenwagen - panel van
- 253 = Kombi ohne Kombi L - Station Wagon
- 255 = Caravelle ,Kombi L - Passenger van

The 4th character;
- 0 = Seating arrangement 2-0-0 (also with Joker with high roof, with pick-up it is always three people in the front)
- 1 = Seating arrangement 2-2-0
- 2 = Seating arrangement 2-0-3
- 3 = Seating arrangement 2-3-0
- 4 = Seating arrangement 2-2-3
- 5 = Seating arrangement 2-3-3
- 6 = Ambulance
- 7 = Ambulance
- 9 = Joker with pop-top

The 5th character, engine;
- 1 = 1.6 liter gas-cooled CT with 37 kW / 50 PS
- 2 = 2.0 l gasoline engine, air-cooled CU with 51 kW / 70 PS
- 3 = 2.0 l petrol air-cooled CV with 51 kW / 70 PS
- 4 = 1.6 l Diesel CS with 37 kW / 50 PS
- 5 = 1.9 l petrol DF with 44 kW / 60PS
- 6 = 1.9 l petrol DG with 57 kW / 78 kW (SP for Switzerland)
- 7 = 1.9 l petrol engine DH with 60 kW / 82 PS
- 8 = 1.9 l petrol engine GW with 66 kW / 90 PS
- 9 = 1.6 l JX turbo diesel with 51 kW / 70 PS
- A = 2.1 l petrol DJ with Digijet injection
- B = 1.7 l diesel KY with 42 kW / 57 PS
- C = 2.1 l petrol engine MV, SS, SR with Digifant injection

The 6th character, gearbox;
- 1 = 4-speed gearbox
- 2 = 5-speed gearbox
- 3 = automatic transmission
- S = automatic gearbox on the DJ
- 5 = 4 + G gearbox with 205 R 14 tires
- 7 = 4 + G gearbox on 251 and 253 type with 185R14C tires, on 255 with 205/70R14 tires
- A = 4 + G gearbox with 195R16 tires

* the engine code and the gearbox letters look self explanatory.
In my example its, DJ engine and ALK gearbox.

* Paint number is L90D and inside AB

And the m-codes are here at M.-Ausst./Options.
I have not found an explanation yet for BZL, CS8, IBE
The rest is;
M124 Headlamp Bulbs, Yellow Light (F) (245-256)
M398 Exterior Mirror (Flat) Heated and Electrically Operated
M430 Wind Shield Glass - Laminated - Green (251-256)
M561 Vent Wings (245-256)
M571 Rear Fog Lamp (245-256)
M651 Windows Lifter, Electrically Operated
More M-codes to be found in this topic; https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=341506

Source for this information, in German;
http://www.t3-pedia.de/index.php?title=Ausstattungsaufkleber

Thu May 28, 2020 2:07 am

So to get back to topic.
My explanation of the plate is;

Hopefully it helps decoding the original topic starter (if he is still around) or others.