How to decode a BMW 328Ci VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW 328Ci VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the maker of a vehicle, providing valuable information about its origin, make, and model year. In the case of the BMW 328ci, the WMI code reveals that it was manufactured by BMW AG, a prestigious automotive company based in Munich, Germany. This WMI specifically points to a passenger car that was produced in the year 2000, indicating the vehicle’s age and the specific market category it belongs to. Understanding the WMI of a vehicle like the BMW 328ci offers insights into its background, establishing its authenticity and lineage directly from BMW’s renowned production line in Germany. This ensures that owners and potential buyers can verify the vehicle’s specifications and manufacturing details accurately.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW 328Ci
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2000
- Example VIN: WBABM5340YJP02234
- 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 328Ci 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 328Ci:
| Known VDS for a BMW 328Ci |
|---|
| BM534 |
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 328Ci 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 328Ci VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| Y | 2000 BMW 328Ci |
11th Character in the BMW 328Ci VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW 328Ci Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | Regensburg | Germany | WBABM5340YJP02234 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 328Ci
The final 6 characters in a BMW 328Ci’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a BMW 328Ci’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW 328Ci is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 328Ci. You can usually see the VIN through the windshield on a plate.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of the BMW 328Ci. The VIN might be on a sticker or label where the door latches.
- Check under the hood of your BMW 328Ci; the VIN is often stamped on the front of the engine block.
- Look at the rear wheel well directly above the tire; sometimes, the VIN is placed in this location on a BMW 328Ci.
- Inspect the trunk area of your BMW 328Ci, including under the trunk lid and the spare tire compartment. The VIN may be found in these areas as well.
What info can a BMW 328Ci VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that this particular car could possibly be a 2000 model, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: It may indicate the body class as a Coupe with 2 doors, possibly giving a clear picture of the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Type: The engine is characterized by possibly having 6 cylinders, which might indicate the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: The presence of 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) airbags and a Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) possibly highlights the vehicle’s commitment to safety.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It falls within Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), providing a gauge on the vehicle’s size and the type of classification it might fall under for weight.
- Manufacturing Details: The plant city is identified as Regensburg, with the country being Germany, offering possible insights into the geographical origin of the vehicle’s manufacturing.
- Sample VIN: A sample VIN such as WBABM5340YJP02234 is provided, serving as a key to potentially unlocking detailed vehicle specifications and history when decoded.
Don’t have your BMW 328Ci’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 328Ci
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| 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 | 328Ci |
| Model Year | 2000 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Dual-Stage Advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBABM534*YJ |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBABM5340YJP02234 |
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