I'm not sure I'm seeing what the elephant in the room is. I have studied VIN plates (perhaps not enough) to understand the differences. My focus is often on the font/lettering/spacing of "BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE A.G" across the top, the same as well as its position of the "Munchen" on the second line. And the font weight and placement of the weights and model "Typ" within the silver (unpainted) rectangles. I also pay attention to the font of the VIN stamp itself. I am fascinated that, for example, the "1", "3", "4", "6", and "7" stamps are sometimes different. This is easily seen between models (2002, 2800, 3.0). But sometimes also on the same models but different years. The alignments are not always machine precise. All that said, aside from the rivets and the fact that this plate appears to have been dredged off the floor of the gulf, I am eager to understand what else we're seeing.