How to decode a 1999 BMW Z3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 BMW Z3 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provide specific information such as the country of manufacture, the manufacturer itself, and the type of vehicle. The 1999 BMW Z3, for example, has a WMI starting with “4US,” indicating it was manufactured by BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America in Greer, South Carolina, United States, and classified as a passenger car. These codes are part of the broader Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system, allowing for detailed tracking and identification of vehicles globally. The WMI is particularly useful for various stakeholders, including manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and consumers, to verify the authenticity, specifications, and history of a vehicle.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 BMW Z3

WMI: 4US

Model Years Covered: 1996-2000, 2002
Example VIN: 4USCH9330XLF79111
Manufacturer Name: BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Greer
State or Province: South Carolina
Country: United States WMI: WBS
Model Years Covered: 1998-2001
Example VIN: WBSCK9330XLC88169
Manufacturer Name: BMW M GmbH
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Munich
State or Province:
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1999 BMW Z3 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 1999 BMW Z3:

Known VDS for a 1999 BMW Z3
CH933	CK933	CM933	CH333	CK533

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 1999 BMW Z3 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 1999 BMW Z3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 BMW Z3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 BMW Z3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
L	Greer	South Carolina	United States		4USCH9330XLF79111

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 BMW Z3

The final 6 characters in a 1999 BMW Z3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW Z3’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 BMW Z3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 BMW Z3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW Z3, just below where the windshield meets the dash. The VIN can often be seen from outside the vehicle, near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Check the door post on the driver’s side where the door latches when closed in your BMW Z3. A VIN sticker is typically found in that location.
Open the hood of your BMW Z3 and examine the front of the engine block. The VIN may be stamped onto the metal of the engine.
Investigate the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. Sometimes, the VIN can be found above the tire.
Look under the vehicle at the front part of the frame on the driver’s side. The BMW Z3 VIN might also be located on the chassis itself.

What info can a 1999 BMW Z3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Details: It may elaborate on engine specifics, including the manufacturer, displacement in liters, and the number of cylinders, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s power and performance.
Body Class and Size: The VIN can identify the vehicle’s body class, for example, a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 2 doors, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Fuel Type: It often specifies the fuel type the vehicle operates on, such as Gasoline, offering information on the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The identification number can detail safety features, including the locations of airbags - in this case, 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), offering insights into the vehicle’s safety standards.
Plant Information: It may reveal manufacturing details, including the plant city, state, and country, providing insights into the vehicle’s production and potential geographical significance.
Vehicle Type and Series: A VIN can determine the vehicle type, such as Passenger Car, and specify series or trim, offering insights into the vehicle’s classification and market positioning.

Don’t have your 1999 BMW Z3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 BMW Z3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Displacement (CC)	2790.00
Displacement (CI)	170.4
Displacement (L)	2.79
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	190
Engine Manufacturer	BMW Manufacturing Corp.
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
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	Z3
Model Year	1999
Other Restraint System Info	Driver and Passenger Depowered Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
Plant City	Greer
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	South Carolina
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Z3
Trim	Coupe 2.8
Vehicle Descriptor	4USCK533*XL
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	4USCK5330XLE95414