Where is the VIN number in BMW Seria 4 (F32/F33/F36 [2014-2018])?

On the 2014–2018 BMW 4 Series (F32 Coupe / F33 Convertible / F36 Gran Coupe), you’ll typically find the VIN in the engine bay as a stamped chassis number, plus an easier-to-scan manufacturer label on the B-pillar.

Chassis Number Locations

1) Engine Bay — Strut Tower Chassis Stamping

• Where to look: Open the hood and inspect the top of the front suspension strut tower (strut dome). The VIN is stamped/embossed into the metal. In the inspected example it’s on the left strut tower (vehicle-left, direction of travel), near a grounding point.
• Access: Usually easy to reach, but the stamping can be low-contrast (body color on body color) and may be dirty/greasy. Aftermarket strut braces can partially block the view. Wipe it with a rag and use a flashlight at an angle.
• Note: Some cars show the stamp on the opposite side depending on LHD/RHD packaging—if you don’t see it immediately, check both left and right strut towers.
• Tip: If the characters are faint or dirty, use ScanVin.app “High Contrast AI Mode” after cleaning the metal—embossed VINs scan best when the light hits from the side.

2) B-Pillar / Door Jamb Manufacturer Label

• Where to look: Open the door and look at the lower B-pillar (lock pillar) for a black manufacturer label listing the VIN plus paint/weights.
• Access: Very quick, but it’s a vertical surface and often sits in shadow. On older cars the label can peel or fade.
• Note: The label is typically on the left B-pillar. On LHD cars that’s commonly the driver side; on RHD cars it may be the passenger side—either way, start by checking the left B-pillar.
• Tip: Shadows are common here—use ScanVin.app with Flashlight + OCR so you don’t have to manually type the VIN from a dim sticker.

3) Windshield VIN Plate (Dashboard Corner)

• Where to look: From outside the car, look through the lower corner of the windshield at the VIN plate mounted on the dashboard.
• Access: Easy to see when clean, but scanning can be affected by glare/reflections from sun, sky, or trees. Papers/parking tickets can block it.
• Note: If glare is bad, shade the area with your hand or move to the other side of the car to change the reflection angle.
• Tip: Windshield glare causes transcription errors—use ScanVin.app to capture it instantly rather than reading/typing the characters.

4) Digital VIN in iDrive / Infotainment (System Info)

• Where to look: On the central screen, navigate to Settings → Vehicle Status / System Information (menu wording can vary slightly by iDrive version).
• Access: Requires the car to have power (ignition on) and a bit of menu navigation, but the VIN is clean and readable once displayed.
• Note: This is useful for cross-checking, but for legal/identity verification you should still match it to the stamped chassis VIN.
• Tip: If you’re stuck in an awkward seat position while clicking menus, scan the screen with ScanVin.app to avoid writing the VIN down manually.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: BMW 430i F33 LCI VIN LOCATION / CHASSIS NUMBER ... - YouTube

▶ Watch BMW Seria 4 VIN Location Guide

• Shows clear close-ups of the F33 engine-bay strut tower chassis stamping and the B-pillar VIN label.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Stamped VIN hard to read (engine bay): Dirt/grease + low contrast is normal—scrub the area and shine a light from the side to highlight the embossing.
• B-pillar sticker issues: Labels can sit in shadow and may fade/peel on older cars—use flashlight and scan the cleanest section (sometimes the printed VIN is clearer than the barcode).
• Important: A pillar sticker alone may not be accepted as proof of identity in disputes—always confirm the stamped chassis VIN matches all other VIN displays before buying.

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