Free BMW 328i VIN Decoder

How to decode a BMW 328i VIN

Characters 1-3 of a BMW 328i VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle worldwide. For the BMW 328i, the WMI WBA is utilized, indicating that BMW AG, based in Munich, Germany, is the manufacturer. This WMI code covers model years from 1996 to 2000, and again from 2007 to 2016, specifically denoting the vehicle as a passenger car. The presence of this WMI in a BMW 328i’s VIN confirms its production by BMW AG, reflecting the company’s standards and manufacturing location in Germany. This coding system ensures the traceability and authenticity of the vehicle, linking it directly to BMW AG.

List of WMI Codes for a BMW 328i

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1996-2000, 2007-2016
• Example VIN: WBACD3320TAV17875
• Manufacturer Name: BMW AG
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Munich
• State or Province:
• Country: Germany

WMI: 4US

• Model Years Covered: 1996
• Example VIN: 4USCD2320TLB30192
• Manufacturer Name: BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Greer
• State or Province: South Carolina
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a BMW 328i 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 BMW 328i:

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 BMW 328i 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 BMW 328i VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the BMW 328i VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known BMW 328i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 328i

The final 6 characters in a BMW 328i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a BMW 328i VIN reveal?

• Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2016, suggesting the origin of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: Detailed information may be available about the engine, such as it possibly being a 2.0-liter engine with 4 cylinders and potentially producing 241 horsepower, emphasizing the vehicle’s potential performance capabilities.
• Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN might indicate the primary fuel type as gasoline, which could possibly hint at the vehicle’s efficiency and potential environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Safety features such as the presence of front, side, knee, and curtain airbags across the first and second rows, along with the inclusion of a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), might be essential safety features implied by the VIN.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN could categorize the vehicle as a Passenger Car with a body class of Sedan/Saloon, offering potential insights into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
• Manufacturing Details: Manufacturing information about the vehicle, including the plant city (potentially Dingolfing) and country (potentially Germany), could offer insights into its background and potential production quality.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The GVWR detail may classify the vehicle within Class 1, possibly indicating it weighs 6,000 lb or less, which is crucial for potentially understanding its classification and potential restrictions.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 328i