Free 1997 BMW 328iS VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 BMW 328iS VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 BMW 328iS VIN

WMI, or World Manufacturer Identifier, is a unique three-letter code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It serves as the initial portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For instance, BMW AG, the esteemed automobile manufacturer based in Munich, Germany, is designated with the WMI “WBA” for some of its vehicles. This code is particularly relevant for the BMW 328is models produced between the years 1996 to 1999. The WMI is pivotal in ensuring that every vehicle can be universally recognized and traced back to its manufacturer, enhancing the standardization and safety measures in the automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 BMW 328iS

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1996-1999
• Example VIN: WBABG1323VET04051
• 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 1997 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 1997 BMW 328iS:

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 1997 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 1997 BMW 328iS VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 BMW 328iS VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 BMW 328iS Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 BMW 328iS

The final 6 characters in a 1997 BMW 328iS’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW 328iS’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1997 BMW 328iS VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: Through VIN decoding, details about the vehicle type and body class, such as being designed for passengers with a Coupe body style, can be uncovered, indicating the design and intended use of the car.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN can provide information about the engine’s specifications, such as the number of cylinders, shedding light on the vehicle’s potential performance and fuel efficiency.
• Safety Features: Safety equipment details, like the location of front airbags, are typically included in the VIN, hinting at the safety standards met at the time of manufacture.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN can indicate the vehicle’s weight class, potentially suggesting its size and handling characteristics.
• Manufacturing Details: VIN decoding can provide details about the manufacturing, including the plant city, country, and state, offering insights into the vehicle’s production origin.
• Transmission and Seat Belt Type: Information such as the transmission style and seat belt type can be decoded, contributing to understanding the vehicle’s operational and safety features.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 BMW 328iS