How to decode a 2011 BMW 135i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2011 BMW 135i VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing key details about the make and the country of origin. For the 2011 BMW 135i, the WMI is “WBA,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW AG, a prestigious automaker based in Munich, Germany. This identifier is crucial for recognizing the vehicle’s manufacturing lineage, specifying that it is a passenger car produced within the model years 2008 to 2013. The WMI is the first component of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as a global standard for classifying vehicles and providing a glimpse into their origins and manufacturing details.
List of WMI Codes for a 2011 BMW 135i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2008-2013
- Example VIN: WBAUC9C50BVM09137
- Manufacturer Name: BMW AG
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Munich
- State or Province:
- Country: Germany
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2011 BMW 135i VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2011 BMW 135i:
| Known VDS for a 2011 BMW 135i | |
|---|---|
| UC9C5 | UN7C5 |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2011 BMW 135i VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the 2011 BMW 135i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 2011 |
11th Character in the 2011 BMW 135i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2011 BMW 135i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Leipzig | Germany | WBAUC9C50BVM09137 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2011 BMW 135i
The final 6 characters in a 2011 BMW 135i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 135i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2011 BMW 135i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2011 BMW 135i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 135i. The VIN can frequently be seen through the windshield on a plate near the bottom corner.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 2011 BMW 135i. You can usually find the VIN on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Review the vehicle registration documents or insurance papers for your BMW 135i, as the VIN should be printed there.
- Inspect the engine bay. The VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or affixed on a plaque in the compartment.
- Check underneath the front section of the car frame of the BMW 135i for a stamped VIN.
- For some BMW models, including the 135i, the VIN may also be found on the trunk’s right wheel housing.
What info can a 2011 BMW 135i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting the year 2011. This information could offer insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Coupe, which may provide detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Type: It is identified that the vehicle has a 6-cylinder engine with a displacement of 3.0 liters and 300 horsepower, potentially indicating performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The VIN showcases that the vehicle uses gasoline, which can be essential for understanding its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: The VIN provides information about critical safety features, including front and side airbags, as well as a restraint system with pretensioners, demonstrating the vehicle’s focus on occupant safety.
- Vehicle Type and Weight Class: The data identifies the vehicle as a Passenger Car with a gross vehicle weight rating within Class 1, which may indicate its size and potential usage restrictions.
- Manufacturing Information: Information about manufacturing, such as the plant city being Leipzig and the country Germany, gives insight into the vehicle’s production location and potential build quality.
Don’t have your 2011 BMW 135i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2011 BMW 135i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 3000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 181.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 300 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | 135i |
| Model Year | 2011 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Head Inflatable Restraint for Driver and Front Passenger. Knee Inflatable Restraint for Driver and Front Passenger. Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger. |
| Plant City | Leipzig |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 1-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAUN7C5*BV |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAUN7C50BVM23960 |
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