How to Read the Glass Date on a BMW?
3 Answers
The small black dots indicate the production month of the glass. If you carefully observe the glass of other vehicles, you will notice that some have the small black dots in front of the numbers, while others have them behind the numbers. If the dots are in front of the numbers, subtract the number of dots from 7; if the dots are behind the numbers, subtract the number of dots from 13. The result will give you the production month of the glass. The number following the small black dots represents the production year of the glass, specifically the last digit of the year. Additional Information: Glass Production Date: Some glass may also have a few larger black dots added after the production year and month. These dots specify the week of the month. For example, 5 dots represent the first week; 4 dots represent the second week; 3 dots represent the third week, and so on.
To find the production date of BMW glass, I usually start by carefully inspecting the small dot markings and numbers in the corners of the windows or along the edges of the windshield. These symbols are the key to the date code—the dots typically represent the production week, while the numbers indicate the abbreviated year. For example, if you see a combination like "•8", the dot denotes the week number, and the number 8 could stand for 2008 or 2018. In such cases, you'll need to consider the vehicle's overall age to determine the more accurate year. This method is particularly useful when buying a used car, as it helps quickly identify whether the glass has been replaced, potentially revealing hidden issues. Additionally, BMW's coding system is quite intuitive and similar to other brands like Mercedes-Benz, making it easy to get the hang of with a bit of practice. I recommend cleaning the glass surface and observing directly without a magnifying glass, as it can distort your view. Recording the dates can also help track maintenance history, such as avoiding cars with improperly repaired accident damage. Remember, the date markings are usually engraved along the edges of the glass and can be quite small, so if you can't find them at first, check a few different spots.
Deciphering the production date on BMW window glass, for someone familiar with cars like me, hinges on interpreting those dot-and-number codes. Dots preceding a digit indicate the week (e.g., three dots mean the 3rd week), while the following digit represents the year's last numeral (like 9 for 2009 or 2019). The design is quite clever – dot counts typically range from 1 to 13 corresponding to weeks, with the number being a simplified year identifier. If no marking is found, the glass might be newer or replaced, warranting a check of maintenance records. The decoding process isn't overly complex, but be mindful of symbol variations in some European models. Overall, knowing the glass age helps prevent deterioration issues, like crack prevention in humid climates. I recommend owners periodically check this and cross-reference with the VIN for added assurance.
