How to decode a 1991 BMW 325iS VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1991 BMW 325iS VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 1991 BMW 325is, its WMI is “WBA”, signifying that it was manufactured by BMW AG, located in Munich, Germany. This particular WMI indicates that the vehicle falls under the passenger car category. BMW AG, known for its luxury vehicles, used this WMI during various production years including 1991, marking the 325is as part of their esteemed lineup. The WMI not only signifies the manufacturer but also connects the vehicle to its production origins in Germany, ensuring authenticity and adherence to quality standards.
List of WMI Codes for a 1991 BMW 325iS
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1987-1988, 1990-1991, 1993-1995
- Example VIN: WBAAA2312MEC53508
- 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 1991 BMW 325iS 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 1991 BMW 325iS:
| Known VDS for a 1991 BMW 325iS |
|---|
| AA231 |
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 1991 BMW 325iS 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 1991 BMW 325iS VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 1991 |
11th Character in the 1991 BMW 325iS VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1991 BMW 325iS Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBAAA2312MEC53508 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1991 BMW 325iS
The final 6 characters in a 1991 BMW 325iS’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 325iS’s VIN below:
How to find a 1991 BMW 325iS’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1991 BMW 325iS is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 325is, close to where the windshield meets the dash. The VIN can usually be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Examine the door jamb area on the driver’s side of your BMW 325is. There should be a sticker or plate on the door pillar where the door latches when it is closed.
- Check under the hood of your BMW 325is where the engine is located, often on the front engine block or on a strut tower.
- Review your BMW 325is service records or owner’s manual, as the VIN is commonly printed on the cover or inside documentation.
- Inspect the vehicle’s insurance card or policy since the VIN is typically listed in insurance documents for your BMW 325is.
- Look at the rear wheel well above the tire; sometimes, VIN is stamped onto the body in that area on older BMW models like the 325is.
What info can a 1991 BMW 325iS VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1991, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Type: The VIN contains detailed information about the engine, potentially indicating a six-cylinder configuration with a horsepower starting from 168. It may also specify the manufacturer as BMW-AG and the engine model as 4-Value, with a displacement expressed in liters (2.490833728 L), cubic inches (152 CI), and cubic centimeters (2490.833728 CC).
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is possibly gasoline, indicating the engine’s fuel compatibility.
- Safety Features: Specific safety features like the Driver’s Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) may be identifiable, hinting at advanced safety measures beyond the manual seat belt type.
- Body Type and Doors: The VIN may unveil the vehicle as a sedan/saloon with 2 doors, potentially providing insights into the body structure and accessibility.
- Transmission Style: An automatic transmission style is suggested, potentially giving insight into the vehicle’s drivability and performance characteristics.
- Manufacturing Details: The production specifics provided by the VIN include the plant city of Regensburg and plant country as Germany, which can pinpoint the vehicle’s manufacturing origins.
Don’t have your 1991 BMW 325iS’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1991 BMW 325iS
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2490.833728 |
| Displacement (CI) | 152 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.490833728 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 168 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Model | 4-Value |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | 325iS |
| Model Year | 1991 |
| 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 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAAA231*ME |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAAA2312MEC53508 |
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