How to decode a 2017 BMW 328d VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2017 BMW 328d VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), assigned to automakers to identify the manufacturing location and company. For the 2017 BMW 328d, the WMI “WBA” indicates that BMW AG, located in Munich, Germany, is the manufacturer. This code is integral to understanding the origins of any vehicle, pinpointing the exact company and often the manufacturing facility where the vehicle was produced. Specifically, the WMI reveals that this passenger car model was crafted with the precision and engineering prowess for which BMW is renowned, directly in their home country. Hence, the WMI is a vital component in vehicle identification, providing essential details about the automobile’s origin and make.
List of WMI Codes for a 2017 BMW 328d
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2014-2018
- Example VIN: WBA8F1C30HK825904
- 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 2017 BMW 328d 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 2017 BMW 328d:
| Known VDS for a 2017 BMW 328d | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8F1C3 | 8J1C3 | 8E5C3 | 8E5C5 | 8J1C5 | 8F1C5 |
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 2017 BMW 328d 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 2017 BMW 328d VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 2017 |
11th Character in the 2017 BMW 328d VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2017 BMW 328d Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Munich | Germany | WBA8J1C30HA018352 | ||
| K | Munich | Germany | WBA8F1C30HK825904 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2017 BMW 328d
The final 6 characters in a 2017 BMW 328d’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2017 BMW 328d’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2017 BMW 328d is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 328d. You can typically see the VIN through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb for a VIN sticker, which is a common location on a 2017 BMW 328d.
- Examine the engine bay. The VIN can sometimes be found stamped on the firewall or on a metal plate attached to the engine area.
- Look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or title, which will have the VIN listed for your BMW.
- If your BMW 328d has a rear wheel well, try looking above the tire. Sometimes there is a VIN sticker located inside the wheel well area.
What info can a 2017 BMW 328d VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as a 2017 328d. This provides insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Specifications: From the VIN, one can ascertain details about the engine, including its displacement in liters (2 L), horsepower (180 hp), and the number of cylinders (4), offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The VIN specifies the fuel type as Diesel, which helps in understanding the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: The VIN discloses comprehensive safety features, including the presence of curtain airbags in the 1st and 2nd rows, knee airbags for the driver and passenger, as well as pretensioners for front seat occupants, highlighting the vehicle’s commitment to passenger safety.
- Manufacturer: Information about the vehicle’s manufacturing, including the plant city (Munich) and the country (Germany), provides insights into the origin and quality standards of the vehicle.
- Additional Features: The VIN reveals the vehicle comes equipped with a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), emphasizing the advanced technology and convenience features the vehicle possesses.
Don’t have your 2017 BMW 328d’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2017 BMW 328d
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Displacement (CC) | 1994.3056888 |
| Displacement (CI) | 121.7 |
| Displacement (L) | 2 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 180 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Diesel |
| 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) |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | 328d |
| Model Year | 2017 |
| 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 |
| Series | 3-series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Trim | xDrive |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBA8F1C5*HK |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBA8F1C50HK439369 |
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