How to decode a 2020 BMW Z4 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2020 BMW Z4 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer globally. For example, the 2020 BMW Z4 has a WMI that signifies its production by BMW AG, a prestigious car manufacturer based in Munich, Germany. This code is the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the vehicle, including its manufacturing location and year. For the 2020 BMW Z4, the WMI helps to confirm that this particular model is indeed a passenger car produced under the BMW marque. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI is crucial for identifying its origins and authenticity accurately.

List of WMI Codes for a 2020 BMW Z4

WMI: WBA

Model Years Covered: 2009-2016, 2019-2022, 2024
Example VIN: WBAHF3C00LWW53845
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 2020 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 2020 BMW Z4:

Known VDS for a 2020 BMW Z4
HF3C0	HF9C0

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 2020 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 2020 BMW Z4 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
L	2020

11th Character in the 2020 BMW Z4 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2020 BMW Z4 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
W	Graz		Austria		WBAHF3C00LWW53845

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2020 BMW Z4

The final 6 characters in a 2020 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 2020 BMW Z4’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2020 BMW Z4 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW Z4. You can usually spot the VIN from outside the vehicle, looking through the windshield at the corner where it meets the dashboard.
Look at the doorjamb on the driver’s side of your 2020 BMW Z4 for a sticker or plate that lists the VIN where the door latches when it is closed.
Check under the hood of your BMW Z4; the VIN might be located on a plaque attached to a part of the chassis or the firewall.
Examine the trunk area of your BMW Z4, as the VIN might also be found under the trunk mat or on the wall of the trunk compartment.
Inspect the title or registration documentation associated with your 2020 BMW Z4, as the VIN should be clearly listed among the vehicle’s official details.

What info can a 2020 BMW Z4 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 2020, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: Engine details, like a 3.0L displacement with 381 hp from a 6-cylinder engine, are highlighted, indicating robust performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: The VIN suggests the primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline, offering insights into fuel consumption and environmental considerations.
Body Class and Doors: It conveys the vehicle as a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, enhancing the understanding of the vehicle’s design and structural attributes.
Safety Features: Numerous standard safety features are encoded, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN), signifying a high level of passenger protection technology.
Transmission and Drive Type: Details such as an 8-speed Automatic transmission and Left-Hand Drive (LHD) orientation are specified, possibly informing on the drivetrain and vehicle handling characteristics.
Manufacturing Information: Identification of the manufacturing location as Graz, Austria, offers additional context about the vehicle’s production background.

Don’t have your 2020 BMW Z4’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2020 BMW Z4

Vehicle Spec	Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN)	Standard
Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only)	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	1997.5831016
Displacement (CI)	121.9
Displacement (L)	2
Doors	2
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	255
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Standard
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)
Headlamp Light Source	LED
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	Z4
Model Year	2020
Number of Seat Rows	1
Number of Seats	2
Number of Wheels	4
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)	Standard
Plant City	Graz
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Austria
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Series	4-Series
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Speeds	8
Transmission Style	Automatic
Trim	Z4 sDrive30i
Vehicle Descriptor	WBAHF3C0*LW
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	97.20
Wheel Size Front (inches)	18
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	18
Sample_VIN	WBAHF3C00LWW53845