BMW VIN glossary

vin-anatomy

  • Check digit — VIN position 9 — a calculated digit (or X) that validates the VIN's transcription. Computed via ISO 3779 weighted sum.
  • Model year letter — VIN position 10 — a single character that encodes the model year (e.g. K=2019, L=2020, M=2021, N=2022, P=2023, R=2024, S=2025, T=2026).
  • Plant code — VIN position 11 — a single character that identifies the assembly plant. BMW assigns plant codes per facility (Munich, Dingolfing, Spartanburg, Oxford, etc.).
  • Sequence number — VIN positions 12–17 — the unique six-digit serial assigned at the plant in production order.
  • VDS — Vehicle Descriptor Section — VIN positions 4–9. Encodes chassis, body, engine, and restraint system.
  • VIN — Vehicle Identification Number — the 17-character code that uniquely identifies a vehicle. ISO 3779 standard.
  • VIS — Vehicle Identifier Section — VIN positions 10–17. Encodes model year, plant, and the production sequence.
  • WMI — World Manufacturer Identifier — the first three characters of a VIN. Identifies the manufacturer and country of assembly.

paint

  • Alpine White — BMW's signature non-metallic white (paint code 300/A96). One of the longest-running production colors.
  • Jet Black — Solid black non-metallic finish (paint code 668/416). Standard across most BMW lines.
  • Melbourne Red Metallic — BMW Individual deep red metallic (paint code A75). Frequently optioned on M cars.
  • Mineral Grey Metallic — Cool dark grey metallic (paint code B39). Popular F-chassis-era choice.
  • Tanzanite Blue II Metallic — BMW Individual deep blue metallic (paint code X13). Premium-tier finish.

plant

  • Plant Berlin — BMW Motorrad's main motorcycle plant in Berlin-Spandau, Germany.
  • Plant Dingolfing — BMW Group's largest European plant. Builds 5/6/7/8 Series sedans and the iX.
  • Plant Leipzig — BMW Leipzig — builds the 1 Series, 2 Series, and the i3/i8 family historically.
  • Plant Munich — BMW's home plant in Munich, Germany. Builds 3 Series, 4 Series, M3/M4, and selected powertrains.
  • Plant Oxford — MINI's UK plant in Cowley, Oxford. Builds the MINI hatchback, Clubman, and Cooper SE.
  • Plant Regensburg — BMW Regensburg — builds 1 Series, M2, X1, X2, and Z4.
  • Plant Goodwood — Rolls-Royce Goodwood plant in West Sussex, UK. Builds every modern Rolls-Royce.
  • Plant Rosslyn — BMW Rosslyn (South Africa) — historically the global X3 plant.
  • Plant Spartanburg — BMW's only US assembly plant (South Carolina). Builds X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM.

sa-codes