BMW VIN-decoder (specs of BMW cars since 1928)

ModestV8 · 01-07-2022, 01:42 PM

I'm not sure if you guys are looking into the details over your results after the VIN decoder but from what I've found, bimmer.work and others might work but aren't accurate. I looked up several different BMW's with DCT on Carvana with pictures, and the VIN decoders were pretty good on matching the colors but the transmissions noted from the decoder came out manual even though they were all DCT.

Artemis · 01-07-2022, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jycf87

I'm not sure if you guys are looking into the details over your results after the VIN decoder but from what I've found, bimmer.work and others might work but aren't accurate. I looked up several different BMW's with DCT on Carvana with pictures, and the VIN decoders were pretty good on matching the colors but the transmissions noted from the decoder came out manual even though they were all DCT.

In 'BMW speak':

no torque convertor (such as 6MT and M-DCT) = 'manual'
torque convertor (such as ZF8) = 'auto'

Hence, VIN specs stating an M-DCT transmission as 'manual' is accurate (though, admittedly, a tad confusing).

Reposting post #179 of this thread clarifying that misconception.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artemis

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomwac

As all the other decoders are dead, I tried MDecoder but it behaves strangly:
For my E28 628CSi with WBAEA3100B5571008 it says that it can't find any info
For my E61 545i WBANH31030B489526 it finds the info, but with some errors like it says it's a manual while in fact it's an automatic. All the rest is quite accurate on that car.
I wonder why it can't find my 628CSi

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almuliman

I've seen a lot of cars listed as manuals with the automatic as an add-on further down in the details. Agree it's odd, but it's been accurate where I've come across it.

"MANUAL"/"HECK" is indicated when the transmission does not feature a torque convertor.

Hence, within the BMW transmission ecosystem, in VIN specifications, for example an M-DCT will be indicated as "MANUAL"/"HECK" instead of "AUT".

Repost explaining this misconception:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artemis

Of course it would make sense to have 'the pedal count' as criterion (2 = automatic | 3 = manual) or the type of gear shifting (digital/electronic = automatic | mechanical = manual) or, simply, the possibility of automatic gear shifting (present = automatic | absent = manual). But for BMW, the torque convertor is the criterion (present = automatic | absent = manual).

M-DCT (code 2MK/S2MK/S2MKA in VIN specs | "M twin-clutch transm. with Drivelogic" | "M Doppelkupplungsgetriebe mit Drivelogic")
= no torque convertor = manual transmission in BMW's book.

Therefore, "MANUAL"/"HECK" (instead of "AUT") is indicated in VIN specs of any F87 M2. See also for example here.

See what is said from 01:12 onwards:

See also here from 01:55 onwards:

Onizukachan · 01-09-2022, 04:29 PM

This is correct, automatics are fluid drive, manuals are gear drives.

DCT *is* a manual. Automated but still manual

mjn77 · 01-21-2022, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risay_335d

Hi all,

Hopefully will be an F30 owner really soon. I've seen one I like but want to find the options it came with, I don't have the VIN , am I able to find out this info from the reg number?

Yes, but not easily.

What is reg?

Risay_335d · 01-21-2022, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjn77

Quote:

Originally Posted by Risay_335d

Hi all,

Hopefully will be an F30 owner really soon. I've seen one I like but want to find the options it came with, I don't have the VIN , am I able to find out this info from the reg number?

Yes, but not easily.

What is reg?

Thanks for the reply, I managed to get the vin so have got the report . Thanks anyway

Joachim · 02-20-2023, 02:48 PM

M4Comp Xdrive 2022: "Power 0kw / 0hp"

Marcoose · 03-30-2023, 01:49 PM

Very useful thread. Thanks.

ericold · 06-12-2023, 01:08 AM

i read in an oil forum there are 3 different type of BMWs engine editions according to where you live on the earth .
there is a ''cold'' engine motor, a ''warm'' and one more ,he did't mention.

is it true and if it is how can we learn that? i mean if there is sthing written on the specs of the manual or in the engine area.

cxyzs7 · 06-12-2023, 06:12 AM

Used https://mdecoder.com and https://vinanalytics.com extensively during my search for X5. Need to switch to cellular network to avoid limited daily count for mdecoder.

Mikiee · 06-12-2023, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ericold

i read in an oil forum there are 3 different type of BMWs engine editions according to where you live on the earth .
there is a ''cold'' engine motor, a ''warm'' and one more ,he did't mention.

is it true and if it is how can we learn that? i mean if there is sthing written on the specs of the manual or in the engine area.

I'm in the US and mDecoder shows two climate versions for my 2020 F90. S823 Hot-Climate Version an S842 Cold-Climate Version. No idea what the third version might be

ericold · 06-12-2023, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikiee

I'm in the US and mDecoder shows two climate versions for my 2020 F90. S823 Hot-Climate Version an S842 Cold-Climate Version. No idea what the third version might be

ok,i have the mDecoder open and i see all the specs. but can't tell where is that section/codes which show for what climate version. in which section you read these codes?

ericold · 06-13-2023, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikiee

I'm in the US and mDecoder shows two climate versions for my 2020 F90. S823 Hot-Climate Version an S842 Cold-Climate Version. No idea what the third version might be

the third one is lets say , the normal or neutral version for central America and central Europe. i learned that there is one more for countries that drive on the right, uk and japan (cold), Australia and new Zealand( warm).

Unpliable · 08-10-2023, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cxyzs7

Used https://mdecoder.com and https://vinanalytics.com extensively during my search for X5. Need to switch to cellular network to avoid limited daily count for mdecoder.

mdecoder worked for me, but vinanalytics keeps asking for a valid VIN; tried with the full 17 digit and with the last 7 digits only, same result

Gtirsmiley · 09-01-2023, 11:12 PM

Interesting. Learned a bit. New to BMW's

01-07-2022, 01:42 PM	#177
ModestV8 Private First Class 15 Rep 110 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: NoVa iTrader: (2)	I'm not sure if you guys are looking into the details over your results after the VIN decoder but from what I've found, bimmer.work and others might work but aren't accurate. I looked up several different BMW's with DCT on Carvana with pictures, and the VIN decoders were pretty good on matching the colors but the transmissions noted from the decoder came out manual even though they were all DCT.
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01-09-2022, 04:29 PM	#179
Onizukachan Great Teacher 725 Rep 1,153 Posts Drives: 95 CrewCad Dually Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: El Paso iTrader: (0)	This is correct, automatics are fluid drive, manuals are gear drives. DCT is a manual. Automated but still manual __________________ ‘15 F31d M-Sport (sold)the usual OEM+ mods: LCI AC controls & radio trim, F80 paddles + sliding merino armrest + knee bolster, EU headlight switch, 340/330 brake upgrade, KW Street Comfort coilovers -1.5”F and -1”R , Match UP7BMW + Earthquake 8xi, Alzor 758 19x8.5 et33 DWS06+ 235/40/19, Ikon DP lip and mPerf diffuser rep.
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02-20-2023, 02:48 PM	#182
Joachim Private First Class 296 Rep 127 Posts Drives: M4 Competition X-Drive Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Europe iTrader: (0)	M4Comp Xdrive 2022: "Power 0kw / 0hp" __________________ The fact is I don't drive just to get from A to B. I enjoy feeling the car's reactions, becoming part of it. Enzo Ferrari Last edited by Joachim; 02-21-2023 at 04:21 AM..
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03-30-2023, 01:49 PM	#183
Marcoose First Lieutenant 344 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2016 sDrive35is Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0)	Very useful thread. Thanks. __________________ 2016 35is, monoballs, camber plates, KWV3, PS4S, xHP, MHD, LFB pedal, flat bottom wheel, red indicators, black headlamps
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06-12-2023, 01:08 AM	#184
ericold Private 0 Rep 53 Posts Drives: e88 120 Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: N/A iTrader: (0)	i read in an oil forum there are 3 different type of BMWs engine editions according to where you live on the earth . there is a ''cold'' engine motor, a ''warm'' and one more ,he did't mention. is it true and if it is how can we learn that? i mean if there is sthing written on the specs of the manual or in the engine area.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-12-2023, 06:12 AM	#185
cxyzs7 New Member 2 Rep 8 Posts Drives: BMW X5 Join Date: May 2023 Location: CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2020 BMW X5 [0.00]	Used https://mdecoder.com and https://vinanalytics.com extensively during my search for X5. Need to switch to cellular network to avoid limited daily count for mdecoder.
	Appreciate 1 nachob2303.00 Quote

09-01-2023, 11:12 PM	#190
Gtirsmiley New Member 0 Rep 5 Posts Drives: 2017 X3 Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Interesting. Learned a bit. New to BMW's
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