How to decode a BMW 318iS VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW 318iS VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the unique code that forms the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It provides essential information about the vehicle, indicating the manufacturer and the country of production. For the BMW 318iS, the WMI is ‘WBA’, which stands for BMW AG located in Munich, Germany. This identifier is critical because it confirms the vehicle as a genuine product of BMW and pinpoints its origin, assuring legitimacy and aiding in tracking the vehicle’s history. Specific to the BMW 318iS, these characters showcase the car’s pedigree as a precision-engineered German sports sedan, reflecting BMW’s reputation for quality and performance.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW 318iS
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1991-1996
- Example VIN: WBAAF9310MEE66290
- 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 BMW 318iS 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 BMW 318iS:
| Known VDS for a BMW 318iS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AF931 | BE531 | BE532 | BE832 |
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 BMW 318iS 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 BMW 318iS VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 BMW 318iS |
| S | 1995 BMW 318iS |
| R | 1994 BMW 318iS |
| P | 1993 BMW 318iS |
| N | 1992 BMW 318iS |
| M | 1991 BMW 318iS |
11th Character in the BMW 318iS VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW 318iS Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBAAF9310MEE66290 | ||
| J | Regensburg | Germany | WBABE5314NJA02198 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 318iS
The final 6 characters in a BMW 318iS’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a BMW 318iS’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW 318iS is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side, near where the dashboard meets the windshield from the outside.
- Look inside the driver’s side door frame, near the area where the door latches when closed.
- Check under the hood for a VIN plate located on the engine block or the firewall.
- Inspect the front frame of the car, often near the windshield washer fluid reservoir.
- Review your vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, where the VIN of the car is usually listed.
- Examine the trunk area, where the VIN might be found under the spare tire or on the trunk lid.
- Consult the vehicle’s owner’s manual or service book, as the VIN is often recorded in these documents upon purchase or first service.
What info can a BMW 318iS VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, as is the case with the BMW 318iS, indicating a model year of 1996.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN provides insights into the city where the BMW 318iS was assembled, such as Regensburg, Germany in this instance.
- Series: The VIN indicates that the BMW 318iS belongs to the 3-Series, offering details regarding its specific model series.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN classifies the BMW 318iS as a passenger car, providing information about its intended use.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies that the BMW 318iS is a coupe with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Fuel Type - Primary: The VIN reveals that the BMW 318iS is powered by gasoline, offering insights into its primary fuel source.
Don’t have your BMW 318iS’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 318iS
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 1796.0222144 |
| Displacement (CI) | 109.6 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.7960222144 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 137 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Model | 4-Value |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | 318iS |
| Model Year | 1994 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBABE532*RJ |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBABE5324RJA08601 |
Decode a BMW VIN
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