How to decode a 2002 BMW 330Ci VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2002 BMW 330Ci VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. It is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which offers crucial information about the vehicle, including its place of manufacture, vehicle type, and the brand behind it. Taking the 2002 BMW 330ci as an example, its WMI indicates that it was manufactured by BMW AG, a respected vehicle producer based in Munich, Germany. This particular code reveals that the vehicle is a passenger car produced between 2001 and 2004. Such details are invaluable for understanding a vehicle’s origins, ensuring compatibility of parts, and verifying authenticity.
List of WMI Codes for a 2002 BMW 330Ci
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2001-2004
- Example VIN: WBABS53402JU88889
- 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 2002 BMW 330Ci 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 2002 BMW 330Ci:
| Known VDS for a 2002 BMW 330Ci | |
|---|---|
| BS534 | BN534 |
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 2002 BMW 330Ci 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 2002 BMW 330Ci VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2002 |
11th Character in the 2002 BMW 330Ci VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2002 BMW 330Ci Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBABS53412EV88749 | ||
| J | Regensburg | Germany | WBABS53402JU88889 | ||
| P | Regensburg | Germany | WBABN53402PH01735 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 BMW 330Ci
The final 6 characters in a 2002 BMW 330Ci’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a 2002 BMW 330Ci’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2002 BMW 330Ci is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 330ci. The VIN is often viewable through the windshield on a small plate.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your BMW 330ci. The VIN can usually be found on a label or sticker where the door closes.
- Examine the engine compartment of the BMW 330ci. The VIN may be located on the front of the engine block.
- Look at the trunk area of your BMW 330ci. The VIN might be present underneath the trunk lid or on the spare tire well.
- Check your BMW 330ci’s vehicle registration documents or insurance card, as the VIN will be printed on these documents.
What info can a 2002 BMW 330Ci VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2002, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was produced in Regensburg, Germany, shedding light on the geographical origin of the car’s assembly.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is a BMW 330Ci with a coupe body class, featuring a 3.0-liter engine (3000 CC displacement) capable of generating up to 225 horsepower.
- Engine Details: With an engine produced by BMW-AG, this car has a 6-cylinder configuration, offering a balance between power and efficiency.
- Fuel Type: It is indicated that the primary fuel type for the car is gasoline, which is essential for potential buyers to understand fuel compatibility.
- Safety Features: The vehicle includes front airbags for both driver and passenger, and it also boasts an advanced dual-stage Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), highlighting the car’s focus on occupant safety.
- Vehicle Type and Weight Class: The VIN categorizes the car as a passenger vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating in Class 1, which means it is 6,000 lb or less. This classification could influence usage and insurance premiums.
Don’t have your 2002 BMW 330Ci’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 BMW 330Ci
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 3000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 181.2 |
| Displacement (L) | 3 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 225 |
| 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 | 330Ci |
| Model Year | 2002 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Dual-stage Advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBABS534*2J |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBABS53402JU88889 |
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today