How to decode a BMW 328iS VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW 328iS VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that forms the first three characters of every Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code is designated to identify the manufacturer of the vehicle and often includes information about the location of production. For the BMW 328iS, a popular luxury sports car produced between 1996 and 1999, the WMI is WBA, which signifies that the car was manufactured by BMW AG. The letter ‘W’ indicates that the vehicle was made in Germany, home to BMW’s headquarters and many of its manufacturing plants. By understanding the WMI, enthusiasts and potential buyers can gain insights into the origins of the BMW 328iS, including its prestige as a German-engineered automobile.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW 328iS
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1996-1999
- Example VIN: WBABG1322TET01056
- 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 BMW 328iS 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 328iS:
| Known VDS for a BMW 328iS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BG132 | BG232 | BF832 | BG133 | BG233 |
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 328iS 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 328iS VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| X | 1999 BMW 328iS |
| W | 1998 BMW 328iS |
| V | 1997 BMW 328iS |
| T | 1996 BMW 328iS |
11th Character in the BMW 328iS VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW 328iS Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBABG1322TET01056 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 328iS
The final 6 characters in a BMW 328iS’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a BMW 328iS’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW 328iS is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- On the dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side, usually viewable from outside the vehicle.
- Inside the driver’s side door frame or door post, where the door latches when closed.
- On vehicle registration and insurance documents.
- Beneath the hood, on the front engine block.
- In the wheel well, directly above the tire.
- Under the spare tire in the trunk or cargo area.
- On the car’s title or Vehicle Ownership Certificate.
What info can a BMW 328iS VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can indicate the model year of the BMW 328iS, potentially providing information about the vehicle’s manufacturing date and historical context.
- Manufacturing Plant: The VIN might offer insight into the manufacturing location of the BMW 328iS, giving a chance to determine where the vehicle was produced.
- Body Class: The VIN may reveal the body class of the BMW 328iS, possibly indicating if it is a coupe, sedan, convertible, or another style, providing a general understanding of the vehicle’s design.
- Engine Details: Engine information, such as type, size, and power, may be encoded in the VIN, potentially allowing you to learn about the BMW 328iS’s engine specifications.
- Safety Features: Standard safety features for the BMW 328iS can be inferred from the VIN, possibly giving an idea of the included safety equipment in the vehicle.
Don’t have your BMW 328iS’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 328iS
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 2494.1111408 |
| Displacement (CI) | 152.2 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.4941111408 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 170 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| 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 | 328iS |
| Model Year | 1998 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Manual Safety Belts with Driver & Passenger Depowered Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Plant State | Bavaria |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBABF832*WE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBABF8322WEH60882 |
Decode a BMW VIN
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