How to decode a 1996 BMW 318i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1996 BMW 318i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. Specifically, for the 1996 BMW 318i, the WMI “4US” indicates that the vehicle was produced by BMW Manufacturer Corporation or BMW North America, in Greer, South Carolina, United States. WMIs are crucial for vehicle identification, allowing for the distinction between manufacturers and the specific locations where vehicles are made. This system is part of the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) used worldwide to ensure consistency and traceability of vehicles. For the given BMW model, the WMI not only confirms its origin but also classifies the vehicle as a passenger car made in the USA.
List of WMI Codes for a 1996 BMW 318i
WMI: 4US
- Model Years Covered: 1995-1996
- Example VIN: 4USCD7321TLC50662
- 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 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 1996 BMW 318i:
| Known VDS for a 1996 BMW 318i | |
|---|---|
| CD732 | CD832 |
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 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 1996 BMW 318i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 |
11th Character in the 1996 BMW 318i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1996 BMW 318i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| L | Greer | South Carolina | United States | 4USCD7321TLC50662 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 BMW 318i
The final 6 characters in a 1996 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 1996 BMW 318i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1996 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. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on the lower corner.
- Examine the door frame on the driver’s side when you open the door of your BMW 318i. The VIN might be found on a label or sticker where the door latches.
- Check under the hood of your BMW 318i. The VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or on a plaque in the engine compartment.
- Look for the VIN beneath the spare tire in the trunk of your BMW 318i. Sometimes it is affixed to the area around the spare tire well.
What info can a 1996 BMW 318i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being from around the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN can contain information about the engine, such as a 1.897-liter displacement and 137 horsepower from a 4-cylinder engine crafted by BMW Manufacturing Corp., offering insights into the vehicle’s power and performance.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For this BMW 318i of the 3 Series, this may indicate a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s size and utility.
- Safety Features: Safety measures such as the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger, along with a manual seat belt type, may be confirmed through the VIN, indicating essential safety measures.
- Fuel Type: The VIN details can indicate that the vehicle primarily utilizes Gasoline, providing insights into the fuel type specification.
- Production Details: Manufacturing insights, such as the vehicle being produced in Greer, South Carolina, United States, by BMW, are denoted in the VIN, offering information about the vehicle’s origin and production details.
- Additional Restraint Systems: The VIN might detail additional safety features like the Driver and Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), signifying advanced safety measures beyond basic setups.
Don’t have your 1996 BMW 318i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 BMW 318i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 1897.6220112 |
| Displacement (CI) | 115.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.897 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 137 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW Manufacturing Corp. |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | 318i |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Greer |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | South Carolina |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3 Series |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 4USCD832*TL |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 4USCD8326TLC71366 |
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