How to decode a 1994 BMW 530i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1994 BMW 530i VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of vehicles globally. Comprising the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the WMI reveals the vehicle’s manufacturer, the country of production, and the type of vehicle it is. For instance, the BMW 530i produced in the year 1994 has a WMI that indicates it was manufactured by BMW AG, a renowned car manufacturer located in Munich, Germany. This particular WMI specifies that the vehicle is a passenger car, highlighting BMW’s focus on crafting vehicles designed for personal use. Through the WMI, one can gain essential insights into a vehicle’s origins and its manufacturer’s identity, thereby enhancing the understanding of a vehicle’s background.
List of WMI Codes for a 1994 BMW 530i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1994-1995, 2001-2007, 2017-2024
- Example VIN: WBAHE1315RGE53646
- 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 1994 BMW 530i 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 1994 BMW 530i:
| Known VDS for a 1994 BMW 530i | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| HE131 | HE232 | HE231 | HE132 |
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 1994 BMW 530i 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 1994 BMW 530i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 1994 |
11th Character in the 1994 BMW 530i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1994 BMW 530i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAHE1315RGE53646 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1994 BMW 530i
The final 6 characters in a 1994 BMW 530i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 530i’s VIN below:
How to find a 1994 BMW 530i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1994 BMW 530i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side of your BMW 530i; this is a common place where the VIN plate is visible from outside the car.
- Inspect the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side of your BMW 530i - it’s typically found on a sticker or a metal plate in this area.
- Look under the hood of your BMW 530i for a VIN stamp or plate that is often located on the front engine block or on the strut tower.
- Check the trunk area of your BMW 530i, specifically beneath the carpet or on the side walls, for a sticker that may contain the VIN.
- If you have the vehicle’s paperwork, you can find the VIN printed on the title, registration, or insurance documents related to your BMW 530i.
What info can a 1994 BMW 530i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1994, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Make and Model: The vehicle is manufactured by BMW and is a 530i model, indicating the time period and brand you are dealing with.
- Engine Specifications: The engine of this BMW 530i is characterized by a displacement of approximately 3.06 liters or 186.6 cubic inches, produced by BMW-AG, with 215 horsepower, and is an 8-cylinder model, highlighting the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Body Class and Doors: As a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, it defines the vehicle’s overall form and function, suitable for those seeking a traditional and practical car design.
- Drive Type: The VIN may specify the drive type. In the case of the 1994 BMW 530i, it is a 4x2, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: This BMW 530i runs on gasoline, which is crucial information for understanding fuel compatibility and possibly fuel efficiency.
- Safety Features: Equipped with front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, and manual seatbelts, emphasizing the safety mechanisms in place for occupants.
- Manufacturing Details: Assembled in Dingolfing, Germany, by BMW-AG, these details provide insight into the vehicle’s production origin, which can influence build quality and design preferences.
- Vehicle Type: Being categorized as a Passenger Car, it specifies the intended use and regulatory class this vehicle falls under, helping to determine suitability for personal transport needs.
Don’t have your 1994 BMW 530i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1994 BMW 530i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3057.8261424 |
| Displacement (CI) | 186.6 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0578261424 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 215 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Model | 4-Value |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| 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 | 530i |
| Model Year | 1994 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAHE132*RG |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAHE1326RGE54216 |
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