Vin decoder - plant code W
 

Just got the Vin information for the my bmw X3 - it has plant code W -

Does anyone know whether this Graf, Austria or Thailand?

Thanks

Joan

It is built in Austria. Check out the VIN decoding information on the web.

Also, are you referring to the W being the first digit (manufacturing country) or the 11th digit (plant code)? Just asking because the first W means Germany for manufacturing country, and I don't have the plant code handy for the Magna Steyr contract plant in Graf Austria.

Plant code W
 

Thanks for your quick reply.

The W is the 11th postion on the VIN number - the plant code. I have read that X3 was made in Graf, Austria. However, a recent news item said they were starting to assemble the vehicle in Thailand.

Tried doing to google search, but could not fine the meaning the the code of W..

Anybody else with more information?

Thanks

Joan

As far as I know, all X3s are made by a subcontractor, Magna Steyr in their plant in Graz, Austria. So technically, BMW doesnt really assemble/make the X3.

Understandably, BMW does have its own plant in Thailand among other places such as South Africa. However, we don't get any Thailand-assembled BMWs in the US. The vast majority of BMWs coming to the US are assembled in any of their factories in Germany, with the X3 in Austria, and the X5/Z4 in Spartanburg, SC. A handful of South Africa 3-series may trickle in from time to time.

Thanks
 

This is really helpful. I was a little bit concerned about getting a X3 made in Thailand.

Thanks

Joan

why would you say that?

Haven't they started to shift production to the BMW plant? I'd heard that was supposed to have started already (if not fully implemented).

Not that I know of. The only rumors I've heard regarding that are the possibility of some of the next-gen X3 (in 2011) to be made in Spartanburg, which IMO isn't a good thing.

So X5's and Z4's are no good?

Didn't we have this discussion like a year ago? :confused:

Didn't say that. Just personal preference for imported vehicles. I'm sure the defect rate is just the same for both plants. I dunno, maybe if my uncle's 2001 hadn't been so problematic...........and if my friend's 2004 didnt have 3 SES light incidents within the first 15k miles.

Nothing wrong with Spartanburg-built cars. Happy workers = good cars, and the employee parking on the way to the Zentrum is stuffed with top end E90's

That is because the plant workers get them on lease for $250 a month which includes insurance. They only things they have to pay for is gas and tires, and I think they let them go accross the street from time to time to drive on the Perfomance Center track.