How to decode a 2018 BMW 320i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2018 BMW 320i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. This code reveals key information including the manufacturer’s name, the vehicle type, and geographical location of the manufacturing. For instance, BMW AG uses the WMI “WBA” for its 2018 BMW 320i model, indicating that this passenger car was produced by BMW in Munich, Germany. This system is pivotal in ensuring that each vehicle can be precisely identified worldwide, providing a standardized method for recognition. The WMI is especially useful for tracking recalls, registrations, and the history of a vehicle.
List of WMI Codes for a 2018 BMW 320i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 2013-2018
- Example VIN: WBA8E5G50JNU45648
- 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 2018 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 2018 BMW 320i:
| Known VDS for a 2018 BMW 320i | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8E5G5 | 8E1G5 | 8A9C5 | 8A3C5 |
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 2018 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 2018 BMW 320i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 2018 |
11th Character in the 2018 BMW 320i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2018 BMW 320i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Munich | Germany | WBA8A9C50JAD26940 | ||
| K | Munich | Germany | WBA8A9C50JK622709 | ||
| N | Rosslyn | South Africa | WBA8E5G50JNU45648 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 BMW 320i
The final 6 characters in a 2018 BMW 320i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 320i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2018 BMW 320i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2018 BMW 320i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 320i. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a metal plate near the bottom where the glass meets the dash.
- Open the driver’s door and inspect the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). There should be a sticker or plate on the door jamb of your BMW 320i with the VIN.
- Check under the hood. Your BMW 320i may have the VIN engraved on the front of the engine block.
- Examine the front frame. The VIN might also be located on the car frame near the windshield washer fluid tank on your BMW 320i.
- Look at the trunk area. Sometimes, the VIN can be found in the trunk under the spare tire or on the trunk’s hinges.
What info can a 2018 BMW 320i VIN reveal?
- Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2018, indicating the age and brand of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Drive Type: This information suggests that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), providing details about the vehicle’s body style and drivetrain.
- Engine Details: The engine is characterized by a displacement of 2 liters (1995.94 CC or 121.8 CI), indicating a four-cylinder, 180 horsepower engine that outlines the vehicle’s power capacity and efficiency.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: The vehicle utilizes gasoline as its primary fuel source, which gives insight into the type of fuel needed and potentially its fuel economy.
- Safety Features: The vehicle is equipped with standard safety features including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Automatic Crash Notification (ACN), and a backup camera. It also includes optional features like Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), providing a comprehensive overview of the vehicle’s safety capabilities.
- Transmission and Speed: The vehicle has an 8-speed automatic transmission and a top speed of 130 MPH, highlighting its performance characteristics.
- Seat and Air Bag Configurations: The vehicle offers seating for up to five passengers across two rows and includes various airbag locations such as 1st and 2nd row curtains, emphasizing passenger safety and comfort specifications.
Don’t have your 2018 BMW 320i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 BMW 320i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 36900 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Optional |
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Optional |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 1995.9443952 |
| Displacement (CI) | 121.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 2 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 180.00 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Optional |
| 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) |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Optional |
| Model | 320i |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger. |
| Plant City | Munich |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Top Speed (MPH) | 130 |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 8 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | 320i xDrive |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBA8A3C5*JA |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 110.70 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 17 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 17 |
| Sample_VIN | WBA8A3C50JA067439 |
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