How to decode a 1998 BMW 740iL VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1998 BMW 740iL VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code at the beginning of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. For the 1998 BMW 740iL, this code specifies BMW AG as the manufacturer. This luxury car, produced during the years 1997-1998, is registered under the WMI code “WBA”, indicating its origins in Munich, Germany. The WMI is a crucial component of the VIN, which is used worldwide to provide important information about a vehicle, including its make, model, and place of manufacture. For the 1998 BMW 740iL, the WMI not only signifies its prestigious BMW branding but also its classification as a passenger car.
List of WMI Codes for a 1998 BMW 740iL
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1993-1994, 1997-1998
- Example VIN: WBAGJ8320WDM22047
- 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 1998 BMW 740iL 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 1998 BMW 740iL:
| Known VDS for a 1998 BMW 740iL |
|---|
| GJ832 |
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 1998 BMW 740iL 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 1998 BMW 740iL VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| W | 1998 |
11th Character in the 1998 BMW 740iL VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1998 BMW 740iL Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAGJ8320WDM22047 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 BMW 740iL
The final 6 characters in a 1998 BMW 740iL’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1998 BMW 740iL’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1998 BMW 740iL is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Review the corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 740iL, where it meets the windshield. The VIN is typically visible from outside the vehicle through the bottom edge of the windshield.
- Look inside the driver-side door jamb of your 1998 BMW 740iL. There should be a sticker or plate on the frame when you open the door that lists the VIN.
- Inspect the front of the engine block. For your 1998 BMW 740iL, the VIN might be stamped onto the engine itself.
- Examine the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. Sometimes, the VIN is found above the tire.
- Check under the spare tire in the trunk of your BMW 740iL, as VINs are sometimes placed in that location.
What info can a 1998 BMW 740iL VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN could indicate that the vehicle is likely from the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was possibly manufactured in Dingolfing, Germany, hinting at the quality and origin of the craftsmanship.
- Vehicle Specifications: This VIN suggests a BMW 740iL, a model possibly known for its luxury and performance, with a 4.398-liter engine and eight cylinders, offering insights into its power and efficiency.
- Body Class and Size: The vehicle is classified as a Sedan/Saloon with four doors, providing an idea about its body size and accommodating capacity.
- Engine and Performance: The engine might produce up to 282 horsepower, and being manufactured by BMW-AG, it could underscore the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: It may be equipped with front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row, reflecting on its potential safety measures.
- Fuel Type: The VIN suggests the use of Gasoline as its primary fuel source, possibly informing potential owners about the vehicle’s potential environmental impact and fuel consumption rates.
Don’t have your 1998 BMW 740iL’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 BMW 740iL
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 4398.2879776 |
| 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 |
| Model | 740iL |
| Model Year | 1998 |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 7 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAGJ832*WD |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAGJ8320WDM22047 |
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