How to decode a 2002 BMW 540i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2002 BMW 540i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designated to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer, plant, and country of origin. In the case of a 2002 BMW 540i, the WMI reveals that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW AG, a prestigious automotive company headquartered in Munich, Germany. This specific code indicates that the car belongs to a series produced between 1994-1995, 1997-2003, and later models from 2017 to 2024. The WMI is a critical piece of information for identifying the make and model of a car, as well as providing insight into where and by whom it was produced. For owners and potential buyers, understanding a vehicle’s WMI can offer valuable details regarding its manufacturing background and authenticity.
List of WMI Codes for a 2002 BMW 540i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1994-1995, 1997-2003, 2017-2024
- Example VIN: WBADR63422GN92047
- 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 2002 BMW 540i 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 2002 BMW 540i:
| Known VDS for a 2002 BMW 540i | ||
|---|---|---|
| DR634 | DN634 | DN534 |
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 2002 BMW 540i 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 2002 BMW 540i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2002 |
11th Character in the 2002 BMW 540i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2002 BMW 540i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | Dingolfing | Germany | WBADR63422GN92047 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 BMW 540i
The final 6 characters in a 2002 BMW 540i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 540i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2002 BMW 540i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2002 BMW 540i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 540i, typically visible through the windshield.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side; the VIN is often located on a sticker where the door latches.
- Check under the hood; the VIN might be stamped on the front engine block.
- Look inside the trunk, specifically the area where the spare tire is kept, as VIN stickers are sometimes located there.
- Examine the vehicle’s registration documents or insurance papers, as the VIN for your BMW 540i will be recorded there.
What info can a 2002 BMW 540i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2002, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN can specify the body class. For the 2002 BMW 540i sedan/saloon, this may indicate a 4-door design, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s structure.
- Engine Type and Power: The VIN may reveal that the BMW 540i features a 4.4-liter 8-cylinder engine with 290 horsepower, underscoring the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle runs on gasoline, specifying the required fuel for optimum performance.
- Safety Features: Details from the VIN reveal that the vehicle is equipped with front airbags for both the driver and passenger, as well as a manual seat belt type, highlighting the vehicle’s focus on safety.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle was manufactured in Dingolfing, Germany, indicating the geographical origin of assembly and production quality.
- Weight Classification: The VIN may classify the vehicle within Class 1, with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less, providing insight into the vehicle’s size and weight category.
Don’t have your 2002 BMW 540i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 BMW 540i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 4398.2879776 |
| Displacement (CI) | 268.4 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.4 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 290 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| 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 | 540i |
| Model Year | 2002 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Dual-stage Advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBADN634*2G |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBADN63402GM74381 |
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