How to decode a 1989 BMW 325i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 BMW 325i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. For instance, BMW AG, a renowned car manufacturer based in Munich, Germany, is identified by the WMI code “WBA” for certain models. This code signifies that the vehicle is a passenger car produced by BMW. In the case of a 1989 BMW 325i, the presence of this WMI indicates that it was manufactured by BMW AG, providing a link to its origin and production details. WMIs are essential in tracing a vehicle’s history, specifications, and authenticity, serving as a global standard for vehicle identification.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 BMW 325i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1987-1995, 2001-2006
- Example VIN: WBABB2304KEC18653
- 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 1989 BMW 325i 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 1989 BMW 325i:
| Known VDS for a 1989 BMW 325i | ||
|---|---|---|
| BB230 | AD130 | AD230 |
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 1989 BMW 325i 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 1989 BMW 325i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 BMW 325i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 BMW 325i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Regensburg | Germany | WBABB2302K8861997 | ||
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBABB2304KEC18653 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 BMW 325i
The final 6 characters in a 1989 BMW 325i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 325i’s VIN below:
How to find a 1989 BMW 325i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 BMW 325i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 325i. You can see the VIN through the windshield on a small plate near where the dashboard meets the glass.
- Open the driver-side door and inspect the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). On your BMW 325i, the VIN might be located on a sticker or a plate in this area.
- Examine the engine bay of your 1989 BMW 325i, as the VIN can often be found stamped onto a part of the engine bay such as the firewall.
- Check the vehicle registration documents or the title for the VIN, as these should accurately reflect your BMW 325i’s unique number.
- If you still have access to the owner’s manual or service book of your BMW 325i, the VIN might be recorded in there as well by previous owners or service technicians.
What info can a 1989 BMW 325i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, such as 1989, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Size: A VIN can specify the body class, such as a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and passenger capacity.
- Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, such as it being a 6-cylinder, 2.495 L (or 152.3 CI) unit made by BMW-AG, with a horsepower rating starting from 188, may be encoded within the VIN.
- Fuel Type: The VIN could indicate that the vehicle runs on Gasoline, a detail that can be crucial for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Manufacturing Information: The VIN may specify that the vehicle was manufactured in Regensburg, Germany, providing a trace of the vehicle’s origin and the quality standards it may adhere to.
- Safety Features: The presence of a Manual seat belt type may be identified, offering potential insights into the safety features available.
- Transmission Style: An Automatic transmission is possibly indicated, which might influence driving experience and fuel economy.
Don’t have your 1989 BMW 325i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 BMW 325i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| 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 |
| 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 | 325iC |
| Model Year | 1989 |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Series2 | E30 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | Cabrio |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBABB230*K8 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBABB2302K8861997 |
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