How to decode a 1992 BMW 318i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1992 BMW 318i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer. For the 1992 BMW 318i, the WMI is “WBA,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW AG, located in Munich, Germany. This specific code is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), helping to identify key details about the car’s origin, manufacturer, and type. In this case, it confirms that the car is a passenger vehicle produced by BMW. The WMI is essential for vehicle registration, identification, and in various legal contexts, providing a quick reference to the vehicle’s manufacturing details.
List of WMI Codes for a 1992 BMW 318i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1984-1985, 1991-1992, 1995, 1997-1998
- Example VIN: WBACA5319NFG00726
- 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 1992 BMW 318i 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 1992 BMW 318i:
| Known VDS for a 1992 BMW 318i | |
|---|---|
| CA531 | BF331 |
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 1992 BMW 318i 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 1992 BMW 318i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| N | 1992 |
11th Character in the 1992 BMW 318i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1992 BMW 318i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBABF3315NEF35980 | ||
| F | Munich | Germany | WBACA5319NFG00726 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1992 BMW 318i
The final 6 characters in a 1992 BMW 318i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1992 BMW 318i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1992 BMW 318i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 318i. You can usually see the VIN through the bottom corner of the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area, as the VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Examine the front of the engine block. On your BMW 318i, the VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check the rear wheel well above the tire. Sometimes, the VIN can be found stamped into the metal the well.
- Take a look at the trunk under the spare tire. BMW often places a sticker with the VIN in that location.
What info can a 1992 BMW 318i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, such as 1992 for a BMW 318i, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Details: Details about the engine, including its manufacturer (BMW-AG), model (4-Value), and specifics such as displacement in liters (1.796) and horsepower (137) can typically be uncovered through a VIN. The engine’s design, power output, and efficiency are crucial factors for performance evaluation.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, like Gasoline for the BMW 318i, is a key data point that can influence both environmental impact and operating costs of the vehicle.
- Safety Features: Information on safety systems, such as the presence of a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), known commonly as airbags, indicates the level of safety measures integrated into the vehicle. Safety features like manual seat belts further detail the car’s safety provisions.
- Manufacturing Details: A VIN can reveal the place of manufacture, for example, the city (Munich) and country (Germany) where the BMW 318i was produced. This information might shed light on the quality standards and manufacturing practices of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: Basic specs, including the body class (Sedan/Saloon), number of doors (4), and series (3-Series) give a potential owner or interested party a broad understanding of the vehicle’s size, style, and possibly its market segment.
Don’t have your 1992 BMW 318i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1992 BMW 318i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 2495.7498472 |
| Displacement (CI) | 152.3 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.4957498472 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 188 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Model | 4-Value |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | 325iS |
| Model Year | 1992 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Dr. Supplemental System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBABF331*NE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBABF3315NEF35980 |
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