How to decode a 2008 BMW 128i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2008 BMW 128i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code designated to each vehicle manufacturer globally, ensuring the identification of the make and country of origin for vehicles. Specifically, for the 2008 BMW 128i, the WMI code provides detailed insights into its manufacturing status, indicating that it was produced by BMW AG, located in Munich, Germany. This prefix is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which serves as a unique identifier for vehicles, encompassing essential information such as the vehicle type and the model year. The WMI is critical in tracing the vehicle’s origin, ensuring compliance with international standards, and facilitating recall management and safety measures. Through the WMI, the 2008 BMW 128i is recognized as a passenger car produced by a prestigious manufacturer known for its quality and innovation.
List of WMI Codes for a 2008 BMW 128i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2008-2013
- Example VIN: WBAUN13508VH79950
- 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 128i 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 128i:
| Known VDS for a 2008 BMW 128i | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| UN135 | UL735 | UP935 | UP735 |
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 128i 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 128i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 8 | 2008 |
11th Character in the 2008 BMW 128i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2008 BMW 128i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Leipzig | Germany | WBAUN13508VH79950 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 BMW 128i
The final 6 characters in a 2008 BMW 128i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 128i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2008 BMW 128i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2008 BMW 128i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 128i, where it meets the windshield. The VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb for the BMW 128i. The VIN might be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Check under the hood of your BMW 128i; sometimes the VIN is stamped onto the engine bay’s firewall.
- Examine the trunk area of your BMW 128i, the VIN might be placed on the floor right below where the spare tire sits or on the sides of the trunk.
- Inspect the vehicle documentation for your BMW 128i, such as the title, registration, and insurance papers, which should all have the VIN listed.
- For a more thorough search, look at the frame of the car, sometimes the VIN might be stamped on the chassis underneath the car, although this may require the car to be lifted for clear visibility.
What info can a 2008 BMW 128i VIN reveal?
- Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 2008, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle. The make of the vehicle, as seen in the example, is BMW, providing information about the manufacturer of the vehicle.
- Engine Specifications: A VIN can decode the engine details, such as a 3L engine with six cylinders and a horsepower starting from 230, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities. It seems that this information can aid in understanding the power and capabilities of the vehicle’s engine.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: By decoding a VIN, one can possibly identify the primary fuel type the vehicle utilizes, which in the example is gasoline. This information might be crucial for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: The VIN can possibly confirm the presence of safety features like front airbags for the first row (driver and passenger) and a dual-stage supplementary restraint system, indicating the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety.
- Body Type and Doors: The VIN can help in determining the body type of the vehicle, such as a convertible/cabriolet, alongside specific attributes like the number of doors, which is two in this instance, providing a clear picture of the vehicle’s design and utility. It may provide insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): It can uncover the GVWR category, which, for this case, is Class 1: 6,000 lb or less, aiding in understanding the vehicle’s size and load capacity. This information can be valuable in understanding the vehicle’s load capacity.
- Manufacturing Information: Details regarding the production of the vehicle, including the plant city and country, are encoded in the VIN. The given vehicle was manufactured in Leipzig, Germany, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and potentially its build quality. These details can offer insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing and potentially its build quality.
Don’t have your 2008 BMW 128i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 BMW 128i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 2995.5552992 |
| Displacement (CI) | 182.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 3 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 230 |
| 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 | 128i |
| 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 | Leipzig |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 1-Series |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Trim | SULEV |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAUN135*8V |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAUN13508VH79950 |
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