How to decode a 1998 BMW 740i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1998 BMW 740i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This code forms the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as a key to identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, place of origin, and vehicle type. For instance, the 1998 BMW 740i has a WMI that indicates it was manufactured by BMW AG, a leading automotive company based in Munich, Germany. Specifically, this WMI signifies a passenger car produced by BMW, providing essential information about the vehicle’s origins and manufacturing details. Through the WMI, one can deduce that this luxurious sedan is part of BMW’s prestigious lineup, engineered with German precision and quality standards.
List of WMI Codes for a 1998 BMW 740i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1993-1995, 1997-1998, 2001, 2011-2021, 2023-2024
- Example VIN: WBAGF8320WDL52437
- 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 1998 BMW 740i 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 1998 BMW 740i:
| Known VDS for a 1998 BMW 740i |
|---|
| GF832 |
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 1998 BMW 740i 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 1998 BMW 740i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| W | 1998 |
11th Character in the 1998 BMW 740i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1998 BMW 740i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAGF8320WDL52437 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 BMW 740i
The final 6 characters in a 1998 BMW 740i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1998 BMW 740i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1998 BMW 740i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 740i, near where the windshield meets the dash. The VIN should be visible from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area; there should be a sticker or plate with the VIN for your 1998 BMW 740i.
- Check the front engine block, as many BMW vehicles have the VIN stamped directly onto the engine.
- Inspect the trunk area of your BMW 740i, sometimes the VIN can be found on the trunk lid, in the spare tire compartment or on the trunk floor.
- Review your vehicle’s paperwork, such as the title, registration, or insurance documents, which will have your BMW 740i’s VIN listed.
What info can a 1998 BMW 740i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year as 1998, providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, potentially indicating that the vehicle is a BMW 740i, with a body class of Sedan/Saloon and 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, which may provide information about the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Engine Details: The VIN may reveal substantial engine information, potentially showcasing an 8-cylinder engine with a displacement of approximately 4.398 liters and an engine brake horsepower starting from 282.
- Safety Features: Critical safety features, like the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row, are potentially detailed in the VIN.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is potentially detailed as gasoline, hinting at the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental considerations.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN can convey rich manufacturing details, including the plant’s location in Dingolfing, Germany, potentially underscoring the vehicle’s production origin.
Don’t have your 1998 BMW 740i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 BMW 740i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 4398.2879776 |
| Displacement (CI) | 268.4 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.398 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 282 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| 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 | 740i |
| Model Year | 1998 |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 7 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAGF832*WD |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAGF8320WDL52437 |
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