Vehicle Identification Numbers are referred to as the VIN. BMW utilizes a VIN with a 17 character structure. The characters are grouped to include multiple information as follows:
WBA BR33 4 4 Y E A82019
Digit 1-3 are the manufacturer’s code:
WBA = BMW Cars and SAVs
WBS = Motorsport
4US = Spartanburg (not used since 1999)
Digits 4-7 are the model code
Digit 8 is the restraint system identifier:
0 = Seat belts
1 = Seat belts and Driver airbag
2 = Seat belts and Dual airbags
3 = Seat belts, Second generation dual front airbags
4 = Seat belts, Dual-stage advanced front airbags
Digit 9 is a check digit determined by VIN:
Digit 10 is the model year identifier (started in 1980):
A = 1980 model year, sequentially progresses every year. I,O,Q,U and Z
are not used because they can be mistaken for numbers.
A=1980 G=1986 N=1992 W=1998 4=2004 A=2010
B=1981 H=1987 P=1993 X=1999 5=2005 B=2011
C=1982 J=1988 R=1994 Y=2000 6=2006 C=2012
D=1983 K=1989 S=1995 1=2001 7=2007 D=2013
E=1984 L=1990 T=1996 2=2002 8=2008 E=2014
F=1985 M=1991 V=1997 3=2003 9=2009 F=2015
Digit 11 is the Plant code:
A, F, K = (Plant 1.1) Munich
C, B, D, G = (Plant 2.4) Dingolfing
E, J, P = (Plant 6.1) Regensburg
L, M = (Plant 10) Spartanburg
N = (Plant 9) Rosslyn
W = (Plant) Graz, Austria
V = (Plant) Leipzig
Digits 12-17 are the Sequential production number
VIN Location on Vehicle
The VIN is located on the vehicle in the following locations:
• Left lower corner of the instrument panel. This is viewed through the windshield
from outside the vehicle.
• B pillar compliance label. On the drivers side door jamb.
Additionally the VIN is stamped into the chassis in one of two locations:
• Under the hood on right side of engine compartment bulkhead.
• Under the hood on right side shock tower.
Vehicle Production Date
The production date of the vehicle is included in the B pillar compliance label.
Production date information is required quite often when a repair procedure affects only
a certain range of vehicles. The range is based on production dates.
The date shown on the label reflects the actual month and year the vehicle was produced.
It is not a model year indicator.
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