Is there a way to tell via the VIN what packages were included when purchased.

Or perhaps another method to lnow when shopping used?

 

There is a vin decoder on this forum on the main menu section

 

There's also a guy on here who can take the last 7 digits of your vin and email you the options list. Look for the thread 'find out all the options your car has'. It won't tell you exactly the packages I believe but at least all the options. For some reason the VIN decoder here has never worked for me, no idea why...it just never loads the page

 

found this link (here):
http://www.bmwarchiv.de/vin/bmw-vin-decoder.html