How to decode a 2010 BMW Z4 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2010 BMW Z4 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer across the globe, serving as the first three characters in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in identifying the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and the manufacturing country. Specifically, for the BMW Z4 2010 model, the WMI indicates that it is manufactured by BMW AG, classifying the vehicle type as a passenger car. This particular vehicle is produced in Munich, Germany, reflecting the high-quality German engineering BMW is renowned for. The WMI serves as a critical tool in the automotive industry for tracking, registration, and recall purposes of vehicles. It encapsulates key details about the vehicle’s origin and manufacturer, making it easier for entities and individuals to decode essential information just by looking at the VIN’s first three characters.

List of WMI Codes for a 2010 BMW Z4

WMI: WBA

Model Years Covered: 2009-2016, 2019-2022, 2024
Example VIN: WBALM7C50AE382162
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 2010 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 2010 BMW Z4:

Known VDS for a 2010 BMW Z4
LM7C5	LM5C5

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 2010 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 2010 BMW Z4 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
A	2010

11th Character in the 2010 BMW Z4 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2010 BMW Z4 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
E	Regensburg		Germany		WBALM7C50AE382162

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2010 BMW Z4

The final 6 characters in a 2010 BMW Z4’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2010 BMW Z4’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2010 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. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a small plate near the corner where the dashboard meets the glass.
Open the driver’s door to inspect the door jamb. There should be a sticker or plate on the frame where the door latches, which includes the VIN for your BMW Z4.
Check under the hood of your BMW Z4. The VIN might also be found on the front of the engine block or on a plate secured to the firewall or other components in the engine compartment.
Examine the trunk area of your BMW Z4. Sometimes the VIN is located in the spare tire wheel well or on the trunk’s hinge arms.
Review the vehicle’s official documents. The VIN for your BMW Z4 will be listed on the title, registration, and insurance documents.

What info can a 2010 BMW Z4 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2010, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: This VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Roadster with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and size.
Engine Specifications: The VIN details an engine with 2979 cc displacement, 181.8 ci, a 3.0-liter size, and 300 horsepower, along with it having 6 cylinders, providing a comprehensive view of the vehicle’s powerplant.
Safety Features: It mentions the presence of front airbags for both driver and passenger in the first row, and the inclusion of a dual-stage supplementary restraint system (SRS) certified to advanced airbag requirements, showcasing the vehicle’s safety measures.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, which is crucial information for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Manufacturing Information: The vehicle was manufactured in Regensburg, Germany, providing details on the plant’s location, which can be influential in assessing build quality and origin.
Advanced Systems: The inclusion of a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) indicates advanced features aimed at enhancing vehicle safety and maintenance.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2010 BMW Z4

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Roadster
Displacement (CC)	2995.5552992
Displacement (CI)	182.8
Displacement (L)	3.0
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	255
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	2010
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	sDrive30i
Vehicle Descriptor	WBALM5C5*AE
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WBALM5C50AE377175