How to decode a 2015 BMW M235i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2015 BMW M235i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. For the 2015 BMW M235i, the WMI is “WBS,” indicating that this particular vehicle was produced by BMW M GmbH. BMW M GmbH is known for manufacturing high-performance variants of BMW vehicles, and its operations are based in Munich, Germany. This segment of the VIN not only points to the manufacturer but also signifies the vehicle’s country of origin, in this case, Germany, highlighting the vehicle’s pedigree and its association with German automotive engineering excellence. The WMI serves as a crucial identifier in understanding a vehicle’s background and is essential for various legal, registration, and maintenance purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a 2015 BMW M235i
WMI: WBS
- Model Years Covered: 2015
- Example VIN: WBS1M1C51FVZ99268
- Manufacturer Name: BMW M GmbH
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Munich
- State or Province:
- Country: Germany WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2014-2016, 2021-2024
- Example VIN: WBA1J7C50FV253488
- 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 2015 BMW M235i 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 2015 BMW M235i:
| Known VDS for a 2015 BMW M235i | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1M1C5 | 1J7C5 | 1J9C5 |
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 2015 BMW M235i 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 2015 BMW M235i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| F | 2015 |
11th Character in the 2015 BMW M235i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2015 BMW M235i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Leipzig | Germany | WBS1M1C51FVZ99268 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2015 BMW M235i
The final 6 characters in a 2015 BMW M235i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW M235i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2015 BMW M235i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2015 BMW M235i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW M235i. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your BMW M235i. There is typically a sticker or a plate in this location with the VIN, especially where the door latches when closed.
- Inspect under the hood of your BMW M235i. The VIN might also be found on the front of the engine block or on a metal plate attached to the strut tower.
- Examine the trunk area of your BMW M235i. There can be a VIN plate located in the spare tire well or on the trunk lid’s inner panel.
- Consult the vehicle’s paperwork. For your BMW M235i, the VIN will definitely be listed on the title, registration, and insurance documents.
What info can a 2015 BMW M235i VIN reveal?
- Model Year and Manufacturing Details: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially being the year 2015, and the assembly location as Leipzig, Germany, indicating the year of manufacture and the production location with some degree of certainty.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN decodes to a coupe named M235i xDrive, indicating the body class, model, and trim, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and intended performance characteristics.
- Engine and Performance: The VIN details a 3.0L engine displacing 3000 CC and delivering 320 horsepower from six cylinders, potentially underscoring the car’s powerplant capabilities, appealing to those valuing performance.
- Safety Features: Comprehensive safety features are indicated, including front, knee, and side airbags for the first row, accompanied by pretensioners in seat belts and a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), emphasizing the vehicle’s focus on occupant safety.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type is specified as gasoline, potentially offering vital information for potential owners about fuel compatibility and possibly influencing considerations related to fuel economy and environmental impact.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The GVWR is listed as Class 1, with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less, potentially providing insight into the vehicle’s size classification and potential weight-bearing capabilities, important for assessing both performance and utility parameters.
- Additional Features: The VIN designates a manual seat belt type and specifies the engine brake horsepower rating, potentially detailing the vehicle’s equipped features and performance benchmarks, enriching the overall understanding of the vehicle’s specifications.
Don’t have your 2015 BMW M235i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2015 BMW M235i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 2979.16823520 |
| Displacement (CI) | 181.80 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 320 |
| 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) |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | M235i |
| Model Year | 2015 |
| Plant City | Leipzig |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | M235i |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Trim | Coupe |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBA1J7C5*FV |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBA1J7C50FV253488 |
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