Free 1996 BMW Z3 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 BMW Z3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 BMW Z3 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or digit sequences that signify the manufacturer of a vehicle, where it was made, and the vehicle type. For the 1996 BMW Z3, the WMI “4US” indicates that the car was manufactured by BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America, specifically in Greer, South Carolina, United States. This particular code is integral to understanding the vehicle’s origin and pedigree, especially for those interested in identifying specific models and their production details. WMIs are a standardized part of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which provides important information about a car, including its unique features, specifications, and manufacturer. In the case of the 1996 BMW Z3, the WMI helps to affirm its status as a passenger car produced by a renowned German manufacturer in the United States.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 BMW Z3

WMI: 4US

• Model Years Covered: 1996-2000, 2002
• Example VIN: 4USCH7320TLB66756
• Manufacturer Name: BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Greer
• State or Province: South Carolina
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 BMW Z3 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 1996 BMW Z3:

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 1996 BMW Z3 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 1996 BMW Z3 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 BMW Z3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 BMW Z3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 BMW Z3

The final 6 characters in a 1996 BMW Z3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW Z3’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1996 BMW Z3 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as indicating a Roadster with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, such as it being manufactured by BMW Manufacturing Corp., with a displacement of 1.90 liters, 137 horsepower, and having 4 cylinders, can be decoded from a VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: The VIN can indicate safety features, including the presence of front airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger) and other restraint systems like a Driver and Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), providing insights into the vehicle’s safety measures.
• Fuel Type: It may detail the vehicle’s primary fuel type, for instance, gasoline, providing insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Manufacturing Location: Information on where the vehicle was made, including the plant city (Greer), state (South Carolina), and country (United States), can be extracted from the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing origins.
• Vehicle Specifications: Basic model information, like the make (BMW) and the model (Z3 Roadster 1.9), can typically be found within the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s identity and origin.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 BMW Z3