Free 1988 BMW 325/325e VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 BMW 325/325e VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 BMW 325/325e VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to each car manufacturer to distinguish their vehicles as per standards defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This code is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides specific information about the vehicle, including its place of manufacture, the manufacturer’s identity, and the type of vehicle. For example, the 1988 BMW 325-325e, a passenger car produced by BMW AG, has a WMI of “WBA”. This indicates that the car was manufactured in Munich, Germany, by BMW AG, a detail that helps in identifying the vehicle’s origin and authenticity. The WMI plays a crucial role in vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 BMW 325/325e

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1988
• Example VIN: WBAAB5400J9808770
• 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 1988 BMW 325/325e 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 1988 BMW 325/325e:

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 1988 BMW 325/325e 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 1988 BMW 325/325e VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 BMW 325/325e VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 BMW 325/325e Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 BMW 325/325e

The final 6 characters in a 1988 BMW 325/325e’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1988 BMW 325/325e VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it may be from the year 1988, potentially offering insights into its age and market value.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN can indicate the vehicle’s manufacturing location, possibly suggesting that it was manufactured in Germany, specifically in Munich or Dingolfing.
• Vehicle Specifications: The vehicle, a BMW 325/325eS, falls under the 3-Series E30, featuring a sedan/saloon body class with 2 doors and possibly using gasoline as its primary fuel source.
• Engine Details: This BMW model could be equipped with an in-line 6-cylinder engine, manufactured by BMW-AG, boasting a displacement of approximately 2.687 liters or 164 cubic inches and providing a brake horsepower of 121.
• Safety Features: It seems that the vehicle may be equipped with manual seat belts, reflecting the safety standards of the time.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The gross vehicle weight rating may be classified under Class 1, indicating it is possibly 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), suitable for a passenger car of its specifications.
• Fuel Type: It may be that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, aligning with the engine configuration and the era’s typical fuel usage.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 BMW 325/325e

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