Free 1988 BMW 735i VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 BMW 735i VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 BMW 735i VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. The WMI for a 1988 BMW 735i, a renowned passenger car crafted by BMW AG, consists of the first three characters of its VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). This specific WMI indicates the vehicle was manufactured in Munich, Germany, underlining its origin and authenticity as a premium product of BMW. The WMI is critical for recognizing vehicle specifics, including the manufacturing location and the type of vehicle, ensuring accurate identification and tracing of automotive history. For enthusiasts and professionals alike, the WMI serves as a gateway to a wealth of information about the vehicle’s lineage and classification.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 BMW 735i

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1985-1991
• Example VIN: WBAGB4314J3211395
• 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 735i 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 735i:

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 735i 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 735i VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 BMW 735i VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 BMW 735i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 BMW 735i

The final 6 characters in a 1988 BMW 735i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1988 BMW 735i VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that it may have been manufactured in 1988, potentially providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information encoded within the VIN indicates a BMW-AG manufacturer, with a displacement of approximately 3.4 liters (3424.896376 CC) and operates with 6 cylinders, possibly producing up to 182 horsepower.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN may provide insights into the vehicle’s body class and size, categorizing it as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, which could offer potential insights into its capacity and style.
• Fuel Type: It specifies the primary fuel type as Gasoline, potentially offering clues about the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental considerations.
• Safety Features: The inclusion of “Dr. Supplemental System (SRS)” under other restraint system information could hint at the possible presence of safety features such as airbags, which might be crucial for occupant protection during collisions.
• Transmission and Drive Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle may be equipped with an Automatic transmission, which could facilitate ease of driving and appeal to a broad range of drivers.
• Manufacturing Details: The plant city being either Munich or Dingolfing and the country as Germany may provide a glimpse into the vehicle’s potential origins, possibly indicating a European manufacturing heritage, specifically from BMW.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 BMW 735i

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