How to decode a 1989 BMW 525i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 BMW 525i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique sequence of letters and numbers assigned to every vehicle manufacturer worldwide to identify the manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of manufacture. For the 1989 BMW 525i, the WMI indicates that this vehicle was produced by BMW AG, a renowned German manufacturer known for luxury passenger cars. The specific WMI for this model points to Munich, Germany, as the city of manufacture, highlighting its origins from one of BMW’s principal manufacturing locations. This 3-character code not only traces the vehicle back to BMW but also assures the authenticity and heritage of the brand, underscoring the global system in place for vehicle identification and classification.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 BMW 525i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1988-1991, 1993-1995, 2001-2007
- Example VIN: WBAHC2304K2085317
- 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 1989 BMW 525i 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 1989 BMW 525i:
| Known VDS for a 1989 BMW 525i | |
|---|---|
| HC230 | HC130 |
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 1989 BMW 525i 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 1989 BMW 525i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 BMW 525i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 BMW 525i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Munich Or Dingolfing | Germany | WBAHC1303K1518559 | ||
| 2 | Munich Or Dingolfing | Germany | WBAHC2304K2085317 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 BMW 525i
The final 6 characters in a 1989 BMW 525i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1989 BMW 525i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 BMW 525i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 525i. The VIN is likely to be found on a small plaque that can be seen through the windshield.
- Examine the door frame on the driver’s side when you open the door of your BMW 525i. The VIN may be located on a sticker or a plate where the door latches.
- Inspect the engine bay. The VIN might be stamped onto the chassis or found on a plate in the engine compartment of your BMW 525i.
- Check the trunk area. The VIN might also be found under the trunk mat or on the trunk lid of your BMW 525i.
- Look at the vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents. These should all list the VIN for your BMW 525i.
What info can a 1989 BMW 525i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1989, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies the body class as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, giving a clear picture of the vehicle’s design and utility.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN decodes the engine capacity as 2.490 liters (approximately 152 cubic inches), with a horsepower of 168, and it is made by BMW-AG. This includes the engine’s displacement and the number of cylinders (6), indicating its power and design.
- Fuel Type: The VIN provides essential information that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, offering insights about fuel compatibility and efficiency.
- Manufacturing Information: According to the VIN, the manufacturing locations could be Munich or Dingolfing, Germany, adding valuable context concerning the origin of the vehicle.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN indicates that it falls under Class 1, with a weight of 6,000 lb or less, which can be useful for understanding vehicle size, transportation, and regulatory implications.
- Safety and Transmission: The VIN suggests that the vehicle includes manual seat belts and an automatic transmission, highlighting key aspects of its safety features and driving mechanics.
Don’t have your 1989 BMW 525i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 BMW 525i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2490.833728 |
| Displacement (CI) | 152 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.490833728 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 168 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| 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 | 525i |
| Model Year | 1989 |
| Plant City | Munich Or Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAHC230*K2 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAHC2304K2085317 |
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