How to decode a 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of three letters or numbers that identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. They form the initial portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a 17-character code used worldwide to distinguish individual motor vehicles. For the 1987 BMW 535i-535is, the WMI indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW AG, based in Munich, Germany, during the model years 1986 to 1988. This WMI code is essential for identifying the vehicle’s manufacturing origins and is used for registration, insurance, and vehicle recall purposes. It offers a standardized method to track vehicles globally, ensuring each one has a unique identifier.
List of WMI Codes for a 1987 BMW 535i/535is
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1988
- Example VIN: WBADC7402H1715473
- 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 1987 BMW 535i/535is 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 1987 BMW 535i/535is:
| Known VDS for a 1987 BMW 535i/535is | |
|---|---|
| DC740 | DC840 |
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 1987 BMW 535i/535is 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 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 1987 |
11th Character in the 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1987 BMW 535i/535is Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBADC7402H1715473 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 BMW 535i/535is
The final 6 characters in a 1987 BMW 535i/535is’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 535i/535is’s VIN below:
How to find a 1987 BMW 535i/535is’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1987 BMW 535i/535is is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1987 BMW 535i. You’ll typically find the VIN visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Look inside the door jamb on the driver’s side of your BMW 535i, which is the area where the door connects to the body of the car. There should be a VIN plate or sticker when you open the door.
- Check under the hood of your BMW 535is; the VIN might be stamped on the engine block, or there may be a plate or sticker on the firewall.
- Inspect the trunk area of your BMW 535i-535is. The VIN might be located underneath the trunk carpet or on the lid or the area where the spare tire is stored.
- If your BMW 535i still retains its original paperwork or service booklets, the VIN will usually be printed in those documents for reference.
- For a more thorough search, especially in a classic car like the 1987 BMW 535i, consult the vehicle’s manual or an authorized BMW dealership for additional locations or assistance in finding the VIN.
What info can a 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 1987, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN can identify the vehicle’s production site, pointing to Dingolfing, Germany, which may influence the vehicle’s availability and certain design characteristics unique to that region’s manufacturing practices.
- Vehicle Specifications: A VIN decode can reveal detailed vehicle specifications, including that it is a 535i/535is model from the BMW-AG’s 5-Series, indicating not only the make and model but also the series to which the vehicle belongs.
- Engine Details: Information on the engine, such as its manufacturer (BMW-AG), displacement (3.42 L), horsepower (182 hp), and the number of cylinders (6), can be decoded. This gives a clear picture of the vehicle’s performance capabilities and potential fuel efficiency.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, in this instance, gasoline, is specified, which is vital for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel consumption.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN elucidates the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, which helps potential buyers or owners understand the vehicle’s size, style, and general use case (family, business, luxury, etc.).
- Safety Features: While the VIN specifies the seat belt type as manual, it suggests the degree of safety features that might be available or standard for vehicles of that model year and type, hinting at the level of protection provided to occupants.
Don’t have your 1987 BMW 535i/535is’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 BMW 535i/535is
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3424.896376 |
| Displacement (CI) | 209 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.424896376 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 182 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | 535i/535is |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBADC840*H1 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBADC8402H1720923 |
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