How to decode a 1990 BMW 325iC VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1990 BMW 325iC VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. It is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which also provides specific information such as the vehicle’s type, model year, and place of manufacture. For example, BMW AG, a well-known automobile manufacturer based in Munich, Germany, uses the WMI ‘WBA’ for some of its passenger cars. This designation has been applied to various models across different years, including the 1990 BMW 325iC, indicating it as a product of BMW’s Munich facility. The WMI is a critical component of vehicle identification, ensuring that each car can be accurately traced to its manufacturer, model, and origin.
List of WMI Codes for a 1990 BMW 325iC
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1987-1991, 1994-1995
- Example VIN: WBABB1310LEC02454
- 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 1990 BMW 325iC 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 1990 BMW 325iC:
| Known VDS for a 1990 BMW 325iC | |
|---|---|
| BB131 | BB130 |
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 1990 BMW 325iC 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 1990 BMW 325iC VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| L | 1990 |
11th Character in the 1990 BMW 325iC VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1990 BMW 325iC Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBABB1310LEC02454 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1990 BMW 325iC
The final 6 characters in a 1990 BMW 325iC’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1990 BMW 325iC’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1990 BMW 325iC is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 325ic, typically viewable from outside the vehicle through the lower corner of the windshield.
- Examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side for a plate with the VIN on your 1990 BMW 325ic.
- Check under the hood; the VIN might be located on the front of the engine block.
- Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire; sometimes the VIN can be found stamped on the body in this location on older BMW models like your 1990 325ic.
- Look beneath the spare tire in the trunk; occasionally, the VIN is placed in this area as well.
What info can a 1990 BMW 325iC VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1990, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, as seen with this vehicle which may indicate a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and functionality for leisure and sportiness.
- Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information can be extracted from the VIN, such as the engine being manufactured by BMW-AG, possessing 6 cylinders, and having a displacement of approximately 2.5 liters, which points to its performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type being Gasoline is crucial for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel consumption.
- Safety Features: Insights into safety features are provided, such as the presence of a Driver Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), which might hint at enhanced safety measures for the occupants.
- Manufacturing Details: The plant’s location in Regensburg, Germany, associated with German engineering and manufacturing standards, confirms the vehicle’s origins.
- Vehicle Type and Series: This vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car, specifically the 325iC model within the 3 Series E30, aligning it with a specific market segment known for its style and performance.
Don’t have your 1990 BMW 325iC’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1990 BMW 325iC
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 2490.833728 |
| Displacement (CI) | 152 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.490833728 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 168 |
| 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 | 325iC |
| Model Year | 1990 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Dr. Supplemental System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3 |
| Series2 | E30 |
| Trim | CABRIO |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBABB131*LE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBABB1310LEC02454 |
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