Free BMW Z3 VIN Decoder

How to decode a BMW Z3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a BMW Z3 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. In the case of the BMW Z3, the WMI is 4US, indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America in Greer, South Carolina, United States. This specific WMI covered model years from 1996 to 2000 and in 2002, denoting the origin and production details of the BMW Z3 models within these years. The 4US prefix in a BMW Z3 VIN highlights its American production lineage, differentiating it from BMWs manufactured in Germany or other countries. This identification system ensures that every vehicle can be traced back to its manufacturer, model, and place of production.

List of WMI Codes for a BMW Z3

WMI: 4US

• Model Years Covered: 1996-2000, 2002
• Example VIN: 4USCH7320TLB66756
• Manufacturer Name: BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Greer
• State or Province: South Carolina
• Country: United States

WMI: WBS

• Model Years Covered: 1998-2001
• Example VIN: WBSCK9330WLC85268
• Manufacturer Name: BMW M GmbH
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Munich
• State or Province:
• Country: Germany

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 2000-2001
• Example VIN: WBACH9340YLF89103
• Manufacturer Name: BMW AG
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Munich
• State or Province:
• Country: Germany

WMI: 5UM

• Model Years Covered: 2002
• Example VIN: 5UMCN93412LK61104
• 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 BMW Z3 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 BMW Z3:

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 BMW Z3 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 BMW Z3 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the BMW Z3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known BMW Z3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW Z3

The final 6 characters in a BMW Z3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a BMW Z3 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2001, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the BMW Z3, this may indicate a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Drive Type: The VIN might not specify drive type deterministically. In the case of the BMW Z3, the drive type was not available, which can limit understanding of the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
• Engine Details: The VIN can possibly reveal the engine’s displacement, such as 2980.00 CC (2.98 L), brake horsepower (225), and cylinder count (6), shedding light on the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: The VIN might provide data on safety equipment, including the locations of front air bags (1st Row for Driver and Passenger) and other restraint systems like Dual stage Advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), possibly indicating the level of safety features present in the vehicle.
• Fuel Type: It can possibly reveal the primary fuel type the vehicle operates on, for example, Gasoline, offering insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN can possibly indicate the specific location where the vehicle was manufactured, pointing to Greer, South Carolina, United States as a potential manufacturing location for this BMW Z3, possibly providing insights into the vehicle’s origin.
• Body Type and Size: The VIN may possibly unveil the body type and size, indicating a 2-door vehicle in this instance, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and functionality.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW Z3