The production code is embedded in the VIN. For example, the first E38 we bought was a 1998 740iL with VIN WBAGJ8321WDM19383.

Other than for “protection” models, the production codes are:

740i M60B40 1995 production code GF63
740i M62B44 1997 production code GF83
740i M62B44 1998 production code GF83
740i M62TUB44 1999 production code GG83
740i M62TUB44 2000 production code GG83
740i M62TUB44 2001 production code GG83

740iL M60B40 1995 production code GJ63
740iL M62B44 1997 production code GJ83
740iL M62B44 1998 production code GJ83
740iL M62TUB44 1999 production code GH83
740iL M62TUB44 2000 production code GH83
740iL M62TUB44 2001 production code GH83

750iL M73B54 1995 production code GK23
750iL M73B54 1996 production code GK23
750iL M73B54 1997 production code GK23
750iL M73B54 1998 production code GK23
750iL M73TUB54 1999 production code GJ03
750iL M73TUB54 2000 production code GJ03
750iL M73TUB54 2001 production code GJ03

There was no 750i or 1996 740i for the US market, and 2001 was the last year for the E38.