How to decode a 2009 BMW Z4 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2009 BMW Z4 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or number code issued by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle, its type, and the country of manufacture. For the 2009 BMW Z4, the WMI code “WBA” specifically designates BMW AG as the manufacturer, indicating that this vehicle is a passenger car produced in Munich, Germany. These first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) provide crucial information for identification, registration, and tracking purposes. The WMI is an essential part of the automotive industry, helping to ensure the traceability and authenticity of vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2009 BMW Z4

WMI: WBA

Model Years Covered: 2009-2016, 2019-2022, 2024
Example VIN: WBALM53509E160592
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 2009 BMW Z4 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 2009 BMW Z4:

Known VDS for a 2009 BMW Z4
LM535	LM735

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 2009 BMW Z4 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 2009 BMW Z4 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
9	2009

11th Character in the 2009 BMW Z4 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2009 BMW Z4 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
E	Regensburg		Germany		WBALM53509E160592

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2009 BMW Z4

The final 6 characters in a 2009 BMW Z4’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW Z4’s VIN below:

How to find a 2009 BMW Z4’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2009 BMW Z4 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW Z4, typically near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can often be seen from outside the vehicle, looking in through the windshield.
Examine the door pillar on the driver-side when you open the door. The VIN should be on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Check under the hood; the VIN may be stamped onto parts of the engine bay.
Inspect the front frame. The VIN sometimes is printed on the car frame under the hood, often close to the windshield washer fluid container.
Look inside the trunk. There might be a sticker with the VIN in the trunk area, for example, under the trunk mat or on the side walls.
Review your BMW Z4’s vehicle registration, title, and insurance papers, which should all list the VIN.

What info can a 2009 BMW Z4 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 2009, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN can specify the body class, which in this case is a Roadster with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Type: The vehicle is equipped with a 3.0 Liter (approximately 182.8 Cubic Inches or 2995.555 CC) 6-cylinder engine that produces 230 horsepower, indicating a balance between power and fuel economy.
Fuel Type: The VIN can provide information about the primary fuel type for the vehicle, which is Gasoline, a crucial piece of information for understanding running costs and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The VIN report may highlight advanced safety features such as a 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) airbag system and a dual-stage supplementary restraint system (SRS), showcasing the vehicle’s commitment to occupant protection.
Manufacturing Location: The VIN can also indicate the manufacturing location, revealing that this vehicle was manufactured in Regensburg, Germany, which could denote a certain level of craftsmanship and design influences specific to its production location.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): The vehicle features a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System, enhancing safety and efficiency by ensuring the tires are properly inflated, leading to improved handling and fuel efficiency.

Don’t have your 2009 BMW Z4’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2009 BMW Z4

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Roadster
Displacement (CC)	2979.1682352
Displacement (CI)	181.8
Displacement (L)	3.0
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	300
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	Z4
Model Year	2009
Other Restraint System Info	Dual-stage suppl. restraint system (SRS) certified to the advanced airbag requiremnets of FMVSS 208, S14.
Plant City	Regensburg
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Z4
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	sDrive35i
Vehicle Descriptor	WBALM735*9E
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WBALM73509E164573