How to decode a 1988 BMW 750iL VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1988 BMW 750iL VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. Each WMI contains specific details about the car, including the country of manufacturer, the manufacturer name, and the vehicle type. For example, a 1988 BMW 750iL is produced by BMW AG, a prestigious automobile manufacturer based in Munich, Germany. This luxury passenger car is recognized by its WMI, which provides insight into its origin and class. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI is crucial for identification, registration, and legal purposes, offering a clear trace of the car’s manufacturing lineage.
List of WMI Codes for a 1988 BMW 750iL
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1988-1991, 1997-1998
- Example VIN: WBAGC8310J2766225
- 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 1988 BMW 750iL 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 1988 BMW 750iL:
| Known VDS for a 1988 BMW 750iL |
|---|
| GC831 |
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 1988 BMW 750iL 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 1988 BMW 750iL VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 |
11th Character in the 1988 BMW 750iL VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1988 BMW 750iL Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Munich Or Dingolfing | Germany | WBAGC8310J2766225 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 BMW 750iL
The final 6 characters in a 1988 BMW 750iL’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 750iL’s VIN below:
How to find a 1988 BMW 750iL’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1988 BMW 750iL is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1988 BMW 750iL, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s door and check the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). It’s common for the VIN to be on a sticker or plate in this area.
- Look under the hood; sometimes the VIN is stamped on the front engine block or on a strut tower.
- Examine the rear wheel well. Occasionally, for some vehicles, the VIN might be found in this area stamped on the frame.
- Check your vehicle’s paperwork. The 1988 BMW 750iL’s VIN will be listed on the title, registration, and insurance documents.
What info can a 1988 BMW 750iL VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Specifications: It may indicate engine specifics, including the engine manufacturer being BMW-AG, along with refined details like a 12-cylinder engine that displaces approximately 5.0 liters or 305 cubic inches, producing around 295 horsepower.
- Fuel Type: The fuel type used by the vehicle can be identified, with this instance revealing the primary fuel type as gasoline.
- Safety Features: Information on safety features could be highlighted, such as the potential presence of a supplemental restraint system (SRS) for the driver, implying advanced safety measures for the era.
- Vehicle Make and Model: The VIN often encapsulates basic make and model information, like detailing the vehicle as a BMW 750iL, part of the 7-Series.
- Manufacturing Information: The location of the manufacturing plant can be identified, suggesting this vehicle was produced in either Munich or Dingolfing, Germany, which might be of interest for historical or tracking purposes.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN can reveal the body class, specifying this vehicle as a sedan/saloon with 4 doors, providing insights into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
Don’t have your 1988 BMW 750iL’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 BMW 750iL
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 4998.054520 |
| Displacement (CI) | 305 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.998054520 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 295 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Model | 4-Value |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 12 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | 750iL |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Dr. Supplemental System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Munich Or Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 7-Series |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAGC831*J2 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAGC8310J2766225 |
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