Free 1996 BMW 840Ci VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 BMW 840Ci VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 BMW 840Ci VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle, providing information about the vehicle type, the manufacturing location, and the manufacturer itself. For instance, the 1996 BMW 840ci has a WMI indicating it was produced by BMW AG in Munich, Germany. This vehicle falls within the passenger car category, as denoted by its WMI, which signifies the beginning of its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Such identifiers are critical for vehicle registration, identification, and regulatory purposes, ensuring each car can be uniquely traced back to its origins. The WMI essentially serves as a passport for vehicles, encoding essential manufacturing details in a globally recognized format.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 BMW 840Ci

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1994-1996
• Example VIN: WBAEF8321TCC31119
• 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 1996 BMW 840Ci 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 1996 BMW 840Ci:

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 1996 BMW 840Ci 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 1996 BMW 840Ci VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 BMW 840Ci VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 BMW 840Ci Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 BMW 840Ci

The final 6 characters in a 1996 BMW 840Ci’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1996 BMW 840Ci VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that it could be from 1996, offering insights into the age and potential features of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN may provide information about the engine, such as a displacement of 4.40 liters or 268.4 cubic inches, an output of 282 horsepower, equipped with 8 cylinders, and manufactured by BMW-AG, illustrating detailed mechanical capabilities.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN might indicate that the vehicle is a Coupe with 2 doors, offering clues about its design, functionality, and passenger capacity.
• Safety Features: Safety characteristics such as the presence of front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, along with a manual seat belt type, may indicate essential safety equipment provided.
• Fuel Type: It is suggested that the primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline, which might be crucial for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN could provide manufacturing details such as the plant city of Dingolfing and the country of Germany, providing context about the vehicle’s origin, which can influence quality perceptions.
• Vehicle Series: The VIN might unlock the vehicle’s series as the 8-Series, suggesting a specific range within the make’s model lineup, hinting at luxury and performance levels.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 BMW 840Ci