How to decode a 1998 BMW 528i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1998 BMW 528i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the international standards organization. Comprising the first three digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the WMI identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. For instance, a 1998 BMW 528i would have a WMI indicating it was manufactured by BMW AG in Munich, Germany, classifying it as a passenger car. These codes not only serve as a global identifier for vehicles but also provide crucial information about the vehicle’s manufacturing details. The WMI is an essential tool for tracking, registration, and recall purposes for the automotive industry worldwide.
List of WMI Codes for a 1998 BMW 528i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1997-2000, 2008-2016
- Example VIN: WBADD6320WBW36031
- 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 1998 BMW 528i 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 1998 BMW 528i:
| Known VDS for a 1998 BMW 528i | |
|---|---|
| DD632 | DD532 |
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 1998 BMW 528i 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 1998 BMW 528i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| W | 1998 |
11th Character in the 1998 BMW 528i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1998 BMW 528i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Dingolfing | Bavaria | Germany | WBADD6320WBW36031 | |
| G | Dingolfing | Germany | WBADD6320WGT91296 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 BMW 528i
The final 6 characters in a 1998 BMW 528i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1998 BMW 528i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1998 BMW 528i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 528i near where the dashboard meets the windshield, visible from outside the vehicle.
- Inspect the driver’s side door jamb of your 1998 BMW 528i for a sticker or plate that has the VIN when you open the door.
- Check the front of the engine block for the VIN on your BMW 528i, as it is often stamped onto the engine itself.
- Examine the rear wheel well on the driver’s side, as sometimes the VIN is placed above the tire.
- Look inside the trunk underneath the spare tire, as the VIN might be located there in your BMW 528i. 6. Find the vehicle’s VIN on the car’s title, registration, or insurance documents, which should match the VIN on the vehicle itself.
What info can a 1998 BMW 528i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially being from the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Plant Information: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Dingolfing, Bavaria, Germany, possibly offering insights into the car’s origin.
- Vehicle Specifications: Basic specs for a 528i model, including it being a Sedan/Saloon with an automatic transmission, are possibly encoded within the VIN.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN can possibly disclose the body class as a Sedan/Saloon and may point towards the vehicle having 4 doors, reflecting its size and capacity.
- Safety Features: The existence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row is typically indicated, potentially contributing to the vehicle’s safety profile.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN suggests the vehicle possibly falls under Class 1, with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), which could be essential for understanding vehicle capability and regulation adherence.
- Seat Belt Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is equipped with manual seat belts, potentially pointing towards the car’s safety equipment and era of manufacture.
Don’t have your 1998 BMW 528i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 BMW 528i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| 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 | 528i |
| Model Year | 1998 |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Plant State | Bavaria |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBADD632*WB |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBADD6320WBW36031 |
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