How to decode a 1997 BMW 740i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1997 BMW 740i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or three-digit code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, indicating the brand, country of manufacture, and vehicle type. For the 1997 BMW 740i, the WMI is “WBA,” revealing that the vehicle was crafted by BMW AG. This prestigious automaker is based in Munich, Germany, known for producing high-quality passenger cars. The specific WMI for this model provides insights into the vehicle’s origins, highlighting its construction under the BMW brand, which is synonymous with luxury and performance. The inclusion of this BMW 740i in the WMI database underscores its production and distribution by BMW, a leading global automotive manufacturer.
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 BMW 740i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1993-1995, 1997-1998, 2001, 2011-2021, 2023-2024
- Example VIN: WBAGF8321VDL48346
- 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 1997 BMW 740i 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 1997 BMW 740i:
| Known VDS for a 1997 BMW 740i |
|---|
| GF832 |
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 1997 BMW 740i 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 1997 BMW 740i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 |
11th Character in the 1997 BMW 740i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 BMW 740i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAGF8321VDL48346 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 BMW 740i
The final 6 characters in a 1997 BMW 740i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 740i’s VIN below:
How to find a 1997 BMW 740i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1997 BMW 740i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 740i, usually visible through the windshield on a small metal plate near where the dash meets the glass.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area. The VIN might be located on a sticker or a plate where the door latches when closed.
- Inspect the front engine block. The VIN for your BMW 740i is often stamped on the engine itself, and can be seen when you open the hood.
- Check the trunk area, as the VIN may also be located in the spare tire well or on the trunk lid’s undersurface for your BMW 740i.
What info can a 1997 BMW 740i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Specifications: It can provide detailed engine information, including the manufacturer (e.g., BMW-AG), number of cylinders (e.g., 8), and displacement in liters (e.g., 4.398L), CC (e.g., 4398.000), and CI (e.g., 268.4).
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The type of vehicle and its body class, such as a Passenger Car and Sedan/Saloon, respectively, can be discovered through the VIN.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type a vehicle uses, such as Gasoline, can be indicated in the VIN, helping to understand fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: The presence and location of safety features, for instance, front airbags for the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), might be inferred, indicating the vehicle’s safety levels.
- Manufacturing Details: VINs can provide specifics about where a vehicle was manufactured, including the plant city (e.g., Dingolfing) and country (e.g., Germany), giving insights into production origins.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): They can show the GVWR range, for example, Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), which helps in understanding vehicle size and possible usage limitations.
Don’t have your 1997 BMW 740i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 BMW 740i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 4398.000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 268.4 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.398 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 282 |
| 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 | 740i |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 7 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAGF832*VD |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAGF8321VDL48346 |
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