How to decode a 1986 BMW 325/325e VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1986 BMW 325/325e VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of vehicles globally. It forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), indicating the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of production, and vehicle type. In the case of the 1986 BMW 325-325e, the WMI points to BMW AG as the manufacturer, with Munich, Germany, as the location of production. This specific WMI also identifies the vehicle as a passenger car, signifying its primary use. These identifiers are essential for tracking, registration, and recall purposes, serving as a fingerprint for each vehicle produced.
List of WMI Codes for a 1986 BMW 325/325e
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1988
- Example VIN: WBAAE5407G0985983
- 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 1986 BMW 325/325e 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 1986 BMW 325/325e:
| Known VDS for a 1986 BMW 325/325e | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| AE540 | AE640 | AB540 | AB640 |
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 1986 BMW 325/325e 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 1986 BMW 325/325e VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| G | 1986 |
11th Character in the 1986 BMW 325/325e VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1986 BMW 325/325e Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAE5407G0985983 | ||
| 1 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAE5401G1506581 | ||
| 9 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAB5400G9682919 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 BMW 325/325e
The final 6 characters in a 1986 BMW 325/325e’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 325/325e’s VIN below:
How to find a 1986 BMW 325/325e’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1986 BMW 325/325e is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 325-325e from the outside of the vehicle. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 1986 BMW 325-325e. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when it is closed.
- Open the hood of your BMW 325-325e and check the front engine bay, either on the front near the latch or on one of the side panels. The VIN might be stamped onto a metal plate in that area.
- Examine the trunk area of your BMW 325-325e, specifically under the trunk mat or on the trunk walls. Sometimes the VIN is affixed to a label or stamped on the body in the trunk compartment.
What info can a 1986 BMW 325/325e VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 1986, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Make and Model: The data specifies the vehicle as a BMW 325/325e from the 3-Series E30, offering detailed identification useful for parts compatibility, vehicle history checks, and more.
- Engine Specifications: It features an in-line 6-cylinder engine manufactured by BMW-AG, with a displacement of approximately 2.687 liters (164 cubic inches), hinting at the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The data indicates that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, which is vital for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN classifies the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, aiding in identifying the vehicle’s style, practicality, and potential usage.
- Safety Features: The VIN data suggests that the vehicle is equipped with manual seat belts, giving a glimpse into the safety features that were standard at the time of manufacture.
- Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was produced in Dingolfing, Germany, possibly reflecting the vehicle’s build quality and origin of manufacture.
Don’t have your 1986 BMW 325/325e’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 BMW 325/325e
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2687.478496 |
| Displacement (CI) | 164 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.687478496 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 121 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| 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 | 325/325e |
| Model Year | 1986 |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Series2 | E30 |
| Transmission Style | Manual/Standard |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAAE540*G0 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAAE5407G0985983 |
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