Today, the new Wii Drive Database website was launched, http://www.wiidrives.com/. The site will hopefully make it more reliable and easier to identify the DVD drive chip (current and latest) model without having to open the console, by simply looking up the serial number.
Currently, there are only entries from PAL/European consoles in the database but I hope that as many as possible will contribute and add their details. Over time it will become more accurate and the value of the site will increase.
I know, there's already a site available by Nintendo-Scene that works like this and it does a good job. The issues I have with it though is that I think it's not up to date (D2C2/D2E is not supported) and it's not providing the details and flexibility I want out of a tracker.
Anyway, please visit the site, add your details, and let me know what you think.