How to decode a 1989 BMW 535i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1989 BMW 535i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer that reveals critical information about the vehicle. It forms the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a unique serial number assigned to each vehicle. The WMI for a 1989 BMW 535i indicates that it was manufactured by BMW AG located in Munich, Germany, and is designated as a passenger car. The specific WMI code for this model and manufacturing location is “WBA”, a code that identifies BMW AG vehicles made in Germany. This WMI is essential for identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer and origin, providing a clear link to its heritage and specifications.
List of WMI Codes for a 1989 BMW 535i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1985, 1989-1991, 2008-2017
- Example VIN: WBAHD1316K2173706
- 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 535i 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 535i:
| Known VDS for a 1989 BMW 535i | |
|---|---|
| HD131 | HD231 |
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 535i 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 535i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| K | 1989 |
11th Character in the 1989 BMW 535i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1989 BMW 535i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Munich Or Dingolfing | Germany | WBAHD1316K2173706 | ||
| B | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAHD1313KBF08195 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 BMW 535i
The final 6 characters in a 1989 BMW 535i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 535i’s VIN below:
How to find a 1989 BMW 535i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1989 BMW 535i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 535i, just below the windshield. You can usually see the VIN from the outside of the vehicle through the glass.
- Examine the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the door of your BMW 535i. The VIN might be on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Take a look under the hood of your 1989 BMW 535i; there’s often a VIN plate located on the engine block.
- Inspect the trunk area of your BMW 535i. Sometimes the VIN is located in the spare tire well or on the trunk lid.
What info can a 1989 BMW 535i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicles model year, potentially being the year 1989, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Details: The VIN might provide information about the engine, such as its manufacturer (potentially BMW-AG), model (possibly 4-Value), displacement in liters (around 3.424896376 L), and number of cylinders (potentially 6).
- Fuel Efficiency: It may be possible to determine the type of fuel a vehicle primarily uses, such as Gasoline, from the VIN.
- Safety Features: Information regarding safety features, such as the potential presence of a driver’s Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), could be gleaned.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN can possibly reveal the body class and size, indicating that this vehicle might be a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors.
- Vehicle Type and Weight: The VIN may possibly provide details about the vehicle type (potentially Passenger Car) and its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (potentially falling under Class 1: 6,000 lb or less).
- Production Details: Location details, such as the manufacturing plant’s city (possibly Munich or Dingolfing) and country (likely Germany), could potentially be encoded in the VIN.
Don’t have your 1989 BMW 535i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 BMW 535i
| 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 Model | 4-Value |
| 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 | 535i |
| Model Year | 1989 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Dr. Supplemental System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Munich Or Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAHD231*K2 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAHD2311K2092389 |
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