Free 1988 BMW M6 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 BMW M6 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 BMW M6 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of characters assigned to auto manufacturers, integral to the structure of Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), and essential for vehicle identification. The WMI for the 1988 BMW M6, a classic example, points to BMW AG as the manufacturer, highlighting its origins in Munich, Germany. This identifier, found in the VIN’s first three characters, not only signifies BMW as the automaker but also differentiates the vehicle type, in this case, a passenger car. The allocation of such codes is overseen by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), ensuring that each vehicle can be universally recognized and traced to its manufacturing details. The WMI is a critical component for regulatory compliance, vehicle tracking, and validation purposes, serving both manufacturers and end-users.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 BMW M6

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1987-1988
• Example VIN: WBAEE1410J2561382
• 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 M6 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 M6:

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 M6 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 M6 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 BMW M6 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 BMW M6 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 BMW M6

The final 6 characters in a 1988 BMW M6’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW M6’s VIN below:

What info can a 1988 BMW M6 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: It can determine the type of the vehicle, which might be a Passenger Car, and the body class, such as Coupe, outlining both the style and the purpose of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN can disclose comprehensive engine details, including the manufacturer being BMW-AG, the engine displacement in liters (3.441), and the engine’s horsepower, starting from 256 HP. The number of cylinders, which is 6 in this context, provides insights into the engine’s potential performance and efficiency.
• Fuel Type: It is possible to identify the primary fuel type that the vehicle uses, which, for this example, is Gasoline. This information is crucial for understanding fuel consumption and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Certain safety features, like the presence of a Dr. Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), which likely refers to driver-side airbags, and the type of seatbelt, which is manual in this case, can be gleaned from the VIN.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN can reveal where the vehicle was manufactured, such as in Munich or Dingolfing, Germany, adding to its history and potentially affecting its value.
• Specific Model Information: Detailed model information, including the model name (M6) and the series (6-Series), is encoded within the VIN, providing precise identification of the vehicle variant.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 BMW M6

Source