How to decode a 2014 BMW 550i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2014 BMW 550i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, which is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the 2014 BMW 550i, the WMI signifies that it is produced by BMW AG in Munich, Germany, reflecting the company’s reputation for German engineering excellence in the automotive industry. This code not only locates the origin of manufacturing but also identifies BMW AG as the manufacturer, ensuring authenticity and traceability. WMIs are crucial for various legal, registration, and identification purposes, providing a standardized method to recognize the vehicle’s make and origin. For vehicles like the 2014 BMW 550i, the WMI is evidence of BMW’s legacy in producing premium passenger cars, employing precision and craftsmanship.
List of WMI Codes for a 2014 BMW 550i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2006-2017
- Example VIN: WBA5M0C51ED084943
- 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 2014 BMW 550i 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 2014 BMW 550i:
| Known VDS for a 2014 BMW 550i | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 5M0C5 | 5M6C5 | KN9C5 | KP9C5 |
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 2014 BMW 550i 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 2014 BMW 550i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| E | 2014 |
11th Character in the 2014 BMW 550i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2014 BMW 550i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBA5M0C51ED084943 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2014 BMW 550i
The final 6 characters in a 2014 BMW 550i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 550i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2014 BMW 550i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2014 BMW 550i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower-right corner of the dashboard on the passenger’s side of your BMW 550i 2014. The VIN should be visible through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb. Your BMW 550i’s VIN can typically be found on a sticker where the door latches.
- Check beneath the hood of your BMW 550i 2014; there is often a VIN plate on the engine block or on the firewall of the vehicle.
- Inspect the trunk area of your BMW 550i. The VIN may also be located either underneath the trunk carpet or on the trunk’s sidewalls.
What info can a 2014 BMW 550i VIN reveal?
- Model Year and Manufacturing Details: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, which in this example is 2014, and also details the manufacturing location as Dingolfing, Germany, providing insight into the vehicle’s origin and potential market value.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN decode report provides comprehensive specifications of a BMW 550i, including its designation as a Sedan/Saloon within the 5-Series, specifically the xDrive GT trim, and it’s equipped with a 4.4 liter, 448-hp, 8-cylinder engine operating on gasoline, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and powertrain.
- Safety Features: Safety features decoded from the VIN highlight curtain airbags in both the 1st and 2nd rows, front airbags for the driver and passenger, and knee airbags, indicating a possibility of high occupant protection within the 550i.
- Body and Capacity: The VIN indicates that this BMW 550i features a 4-door body class and falls within Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Class 1, which accommodates vehicles 6,000 lb or less, providing an indicator of the vehicle’s size and potential weight limitations, while also offering insights into the vehicle’s design and capacity.
- Advanced Technologies: The presence of a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and manual seat belt type, alongside information about other restraint systems like pretensioners for the driver and front passenger, reveal advancements in vehicle safety and convenience technologies, potentially enhancing the overall driving experience and safety features.
- Engine and Performance Details: The VIN offers the engine displacement details as 4395.01 CC or approximately 268.2 cubic inches (4.4 liters), signifying the engine’s size and potential power output, which is further supported by the specified engine brake horsepower of 448, indicating potential performance capabilities.
- Fuel Efficiency and Environmental Information: With a primary fuel type of gasoline, the VIN provides insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact, offering potential insights into cost of ownership and environmental considerations for the BMW 550i.
Don’t have your 2014 BMW 550i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2014 BMW 550i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Displacement (CC) | 4395.0105648 |
| Displacement (CI) | 268.2 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.4 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 448 |
| 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) |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | 550i |
| Model Year | 2014 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger. |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Trim | xDrive |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAKP9C5*ED |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAKP9C50ED692015 |
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