How to decode a 1999 BMW 528i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1999 BMW 528i VIN
World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are a key component of a vehicle’s unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designated to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer. For the 1999 BMW 528i, the WMI indicates that this passenger car was manufactured by BMW AG, a prestigious automotive company based in Munich, Germany. This specific sequence within the VIN is crucial for accurately identifying the vehicle’s make, ensuring its authenticity, and aiding in vehicle registration, insurance, and recall processes. The WMI not only encapsulates the brand’s heritage but also provides essential data about the vehicle’s origins and type, underscoring the global standardization in vehicle identification.
List of WMI Codes for a 1999 BMW 528i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1997-2000, 2008-2016
- Example VIN: WBADM5330XBY16534
- 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 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 1999 BMW 528i:
| Known VDS for a 1999 BMW 528i | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DM533 | DM534 | DM633 | DP633 | DP533 | DP534 | DM634 | DP634 |
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 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 1999 BMW 528i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| X | 1999 |
11th Character in the 1999 BMW 528i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1999 BMW 528i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Dingolfing | Germany | WBADM5330XBY16534 | ||
| G | Dingolfing | Germany | WBADM6340XGU02154 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 BMW 528i
The final 6 characters in a 1999 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 1999 BMW 528i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1999 BMW 528i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 528i. You can typically see the VIN through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Look on the door post or doorjamb of the driver’s side door on your BMW 528i. A VIN sticker is often located where the door latches.
- Check under the hood of your BMW 528i. The VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or found on a plate or sticker attached to the firewall.
- Inspect the trunk area of your BMW 528i. The VIN could be on the underside of the trunk lid or within the trunk space, sometimes under the carpet near the spare tire well.
What info can a 1999 BMW 528i VIN reveal?
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car, with a Body Class of Wagon. This may indicate a versatile vehicle suitable for various needs.
- Model Year and Make: It specifies a 1999 BMW, providing insight into the age and brand of the vehicle, which is crucial for identification and valuation.
- Engine Specifications: The engine is manufactured by BMW-AG, with a displacement detailed in CC (2790.00), CI (170.4), and Liters (2.79), showcasing its size and potential power output of 190 horsepower. It has 6 cylinders, indicating a balance between performance and fuel efficiency.
- Fuel Type: The primary Fuel Type for this vehicle is Gasoline, influencing fuel economy and emission considerations for potential owners.
- Safety Features: It includes essential safety features such as Front Air Bags for the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) and manual Seat Belts, alongside a Depowered Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), emphasizing its focus on passenger safety.
- Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was assembled in Dingolfing, Germany, denoting its manufacturing quality and providing clues about potential importation status.
- Model Specifics: This VIN belongs to a 528i model from the 5-Series, with a Trim level identified as Touring, specifying its position within the BMW model lineup and indicating specific features and design elements associated with the Touring trim.
Don’t have your 1999 BMW 528i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 BMW 528i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Wagon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2790.00 |
| Displacement (CI) | 170.4 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.79 |
| Doors | 4 |
| 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 | 528i |
| Model Year | 1999 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Depowered Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Trim | Touring |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBADP633*XB |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBADP6339XBV61685 |
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