Free 1996 BMW 328i VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 BMW 328i VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 BMW 328i VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of every vehicle globally. For the 1996 BMW 328i, the WMI “4US” specifically denotes that this vehicle was manufactured by BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America, indicating it was produced in Greer, South Carolina, United States. WMIs reveal key information about a vehicle, including the country of manufacture, the manufacturer itself, and often the vehicle type. In this case, the 1996 BMW 328i, with its designated WMI, is categorized as a Passenger Car, showcasing its production origins outside of BMW’s home country, Germany, and emphasizing BMW’s global manufacturing footprint. This identification system plays a crucial role in vehicle registration, recall implementation, and ownership tracking.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 BMW 328i

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1996-2000, 2007-2016
• Example VIN: WBACD3320TAV17875
• Manufacturer Name: BMW AG
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Munich
• State or Province:
• Country: Germany

WMI: 4US

• Model Years Covered: 1996
• Example VIN: 4USCD2320TLB30192
• Manufacturer Name: BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Greer
• State or Province: South Carolina
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 BMW 328i 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 1996 BMW 328i:

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 1996 BMW 328i 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 1996 BMW 328i VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 BMW 328i VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 BMW 328i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 BMW 328i

The final 6 characters in a 1996 BMW 328i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1996 BMW 328i VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN provides specific details on the vehicle’s make and model, such as it being a BMW 328i, along with engine information, including a 6-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower and a displacement of 2.793 liters.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN indicates the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s size, capacity, and general style.
• Safety Features: It may include the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger, highlighting safety features specific to this model.
• Fuel Type: The VIN specifies that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, which can inform on the vehicle’s fuel consumption and environmental impact.
• Manufacturing Information: Details such as the manufacturing plant’s location in Greer, South Carolina, United States, and the engine being produced by BMW Manufacturing Corp., give insight into the vehicle’s origin and build quality.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): With a GVWR from Class 1 (6,000 lb or less), the VIN shows the vehicle’s weight class, which can be essential for understanding performance and usage limitations.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 BMW 328i