How to decode a 2008 BMW 535i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2008 BMW 535i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial segment of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the maker of the vehicle. In the case of the 2008 BMW 535i, the WMI reveals that the car was manufactured by BMW AG, a renowned automaker based in Munich, Germany. This specific prefix not only indicates the company but also helps in deciphering the vehicle type as a passenger car. Understanding the WMI is pivotal for obtaining detailed information about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturing year, and the exact plant where it was produced. For the 2008 BMW 535i, this information is encapsulated within the VIN, starting with the sequence “WBA”, which is proprietary to BMW AG vehicles made in Germany.
List of WMI Codes for a 2008 BMW 535i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1985, 1989-1991, 2008-2017
- Example VIN: WBANW13508CK93195
- 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 2008 BMW 535i 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 2008 BMW 535i:
| Known VDS for a 2008 BMW 535i |
|---|
| NW135 |
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 2008 BMW 535i 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 2008 BMW 535i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 8 | 2008 |
11th Character in the 2008 BMW 535i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2008 BMW 535i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Dingolfing | Germany | WBANW13508CK93195 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 BMW 535i
The final 6 characters in a 2008 BMW 535i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2008 BMW 535i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2008 BMW 535i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 535i, just beneath the windshield. The VIN should be visible from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). There should be a VIN plate or sticker on the BMW 535i.
- Examine the front of the engine block. On your BMW 535i, the VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. Sometimes the VIN is located inside the wheel well of BMW vehicles.
- Look under the spare tire in the trunk. BMW sometimes places the VIN under the trunk’s floor trim, near where the spare tire is stored.
What info can a 2008 BMW 535i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN may indicate the vehicle to be from the model year 2008, which could provide insights into its age and potential market value.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN decoding suggests that the vehicle is a 5-Series 535i Sedan/Saloon, possibly with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Drive Type: The VIN can possibly reveal the drive type, aiding in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Engine Type and Power: The vehicle may be equipped with a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine, which may produce around 300 horsepower, influencing its performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The vehicle possibly runs on gasoline, which could highlight the primary energy source for the engine.
- Safety Features: The VIN decoding possibly indicates the presence of 1st Row front airbags and a dual-stage supplemental restraint system, suggesting adherence to advanced airbag requirements.
- Manufacturing Details: According to the VIN, the vehicle might have been manufactured in Dingolfing, Germany, providing a potential insight into its origin.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN suggests that the vehicle may fall under Class 1 with a weight rating of 6,000 lb or less, indicating its potential size and payload capacity category.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): The vehicle possibly features a Direct TPMS, potentially adding a layer of safety through real-time tire pressure monitoring.
Don’t have your 2008 BMW 535i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 BMW 535i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2979.1682352 |
| Displacement (CI) | 181.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 300 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| 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 | 535i |
| Model Year | 2008 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Dual-stage suppl. restraint system (SRS) certified to the advanced airbag requiremnets of FMVSS 208, S14. |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBANW135*8C |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBANW13508CK93195 |
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