How to decode a 1999 BMW 328iS VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1999 BMW 328iS VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer globally, forming the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The WMI for the 1999 BMW 328is specifies BMW AG as the manufacturer, confirming its origin from Munich, Germany. This particular code identifies the vehicle as a passenger car, providing a direct link to its make, model year (1996-1999), and geographical production point. WMIs are essential for vehicle tracking, identification, and regulatory compliance, ensuring each car has a distinct and traceable identity from factory to scrapyard. For the 1999 BMW 328is, its WMI not only signifies its prestigious lineage but also assists in validating authenticity and facilitating recalls or service needs.
List of WMI Codes for a 1999 BMW 328iS
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1996-1999
- Example VIN: WBABG133XXET07945
- 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 1999 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 1999 BMW 328iS:
| Known VDS for a 1999 BMW 328iS | |
|---|---|
| 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 1999 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 1999 BMW 328iS VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| X | 1999 |
11th Character in the 1999 BMW 328iS VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1999 BMW 328iS Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBABG133XXET07945 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 BMW 328iS
The final 6 characters in a 1999 BMW 328iS’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 328iS’s VIN below:
How to find a 1999 BMW 328iS’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1999 BMW 328iS is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1999 BMW 328is. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area for the BMW 328is. The VIN can usually be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Examine the engine bay of your BMW. The VIN might also be stamped on the engine block or affixed on a plate in the engine compartment.
- Look at the trunk’s latch or the area where the trunk closes for your 1999 BMW 328is. The VIN might be found there on a sticker or metal plate.
- If your 1999 BMW 328is has a spare tire, look for a VIN sticker in the compartment where the spare is stored.
- Check the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or the title (also known as the pink slip); these should all contain the VIN for your BMW.
What info can a 1999 BMW 328iS VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, in this case, as 1999, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN indicates that the vehicle falls under the body class “Coupe” with 2 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s size, style, and overall design.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN provides details about the engine, indicating that it is powered by a gasoline engine made by BMW-AG, with a displacement of 2.79 liters or 170.4 cubic inches, and capable of producing up to 190 horsepower from its 6 cylinders, reflecting the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: The VIN suggests the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger, coupled with manual seat belts and a supplemental restraint system (SRS), indicating some of the safety features equipped in the vehicle.
- Fuel Type: The VIN likely indicates that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, which is a crucial detail for understanding its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Manufacturing Details: According to the VIN, the vehicle was manufactured by BMW-AG in Regensburg, Germany, offering insights into the vehicle’s production quality and origin.
- Vehicle Series and Model: The VIN provides the series as the 3-Series, and the model as the 328iS, which provides precise identification and categorization within the BMW lineup.
Don’t have your 1999 BMW 328iS’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 BMW 328iS
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 2790.00 |
| Displacement (CI) | 170.4 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.79 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 190 |
| 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 | 1999 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Depowered Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBABG233*XE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBABG2334XET37917 |
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