How to decode a 2015 BMW 320i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2015 BMW 320i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer that reveals key information about the vehicle. For the 2015 BMW 320i, the WMI serves as a gateway to details such as the manufacturing years, which for this identifier range from 2013 to 2018, denoting the period during which vehicles with this WMI were produced. Specifically, it indicates that the vehicle is manufactured by BMW AG, a renowned car manufacturer based in Munich, Germany. This code not only signifies that the 320i is a passenger car but also affiliates it with a legacy of precision and quality associated with German engineering. Understanding the WMI of a vehicle like the BMW 320i is crucial for identifying the vehicle’s origin and manufacturer specifics at a glance.
List of WMI Codes for a 2015 BMW 320i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 2013-2018
- Example VIN: WBA3C3C50FK200920
- 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 320i 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 320i:
| Known VDS for a 2015 BMW 320i | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3C3C5 | 3B1G5 | 3B1C5 | 3C3G5 |
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 320i 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 320i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| F | 2015 |
11th Character in the 2015 BMW 320i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2015 BMW 320i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Regensburg | Germany | WBA3B1C50F5A05621 | ||
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBA3B1C5XFD917353 | ||
| K | Munich | Germany | WBA3C3C50FK200920 | ||
| N | Rosslyn | South Africa | WBA3B1G50FNN91339 | ||
| P | Regensburg | Germany | WBA3C3C50FP662929 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2015 BMW 320i
The final 6 characters in a 2015 BMW 320i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a 2015 BMW 320i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2015 BMW 320i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the driver’s side dashboard of your BMW 320i, where the VIN may be visible from the outside of the vehicle, just through the windshield.
- Examine the driver’s side door frame for the BMW 320i, as the VIN is often located on a sticker where the door latches when closed.
- Look for the VIN underneath the hood of your BMW 320i; it can sometimes be found on the front of the engine block.
- Check the rear wheel well of your BMW 320i, as the VIN might also be found directly above the tire.
- Search for the VIN on the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance policy, or service records, as it’s always recorded on official BMW documents.
What info can a 2015 BMW 320i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year ranging as recent as 2015, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Specifications: Details such as the engine displacement, listed at 2000 cc or 2.00 liters, and horsepower starting from 181, can possibly illustrate engine size and capacity.
- Safety Features: Essential safety attributes, including the presence of front and knee airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row, may indicate comprehensive protection measures.
- Fuel Type: It can specify the vehicle’s compatibility with primary fuel types like Gasoline, guiding fuel-related decisions.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: By clarifying classifications, such as “Class 1: 6,000 lb or less,” it offers a chance to gain insight into the vehicle’s weight category and potential usage limitations or advantages.
- Manufacturing Information: Data pointing to the manufacturing location, with specifics like the plant city Munich and plant country Germany, provides a chance to gain valuable insight into the vehicle’s origin.
- Body Class and Doors: It outlines the vehicle’s structure as a Sedan/Saloon equipped with 4 doors, offering a glimpse into its design and practicality for potential users.
Don’t have your 2015 BMW 320i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2015 BMW 320i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 1995.9443952 |
| Displacement (CI) | 121.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.00 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 181 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| 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 | 320i |
| Model Year | 2015 |
| Plant City | Munich |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Trim | xDrive Sedan |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBA3C3C5*FK |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBA3C3C50FK200920 |
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today