BMW parts catalog by VIN: why the build matters
A BMW leaves the factory with a list of option codes, and many of them change parts. Brake size follows the engine and the package, headlights follow the lighting option, and an M Sport car carries bumpers, suspension and trim that the same model without it does not. Browse by model and year and you see every variant at once.
Enter the VIN and ETK narrows each diagram to the parts fitted to that car. The option list and the production date come with the VIN, so you can tell which of two brake discs your car takes without measuring anything.
Reading an 11-digit BMW part number
Every BMW number has eleven characters, and on most parts all eleven are digits. The first two name the main group, the next two the subgroup, and the last seven identify the part. In 34 11 6 794 300, 34 is brakes and 11 the front wheel brake, so you know the family before you read the description.
Invoices and packaging print the same number with spaces or without them, and both forms point to one part. BMW revises parts often, and a revised part can take a new number, so read the current one in the live catalog before you order.
Chassis codes: E, F, G and U
BMW people talk in chassis codes, and the catalog does too. The 3 Series saloon has been the E90, then the F30, then the G20, and parts rarely cross between generations even when an engine carries over.
The VIN fixes the chassis code for you. A car registered in the year a new generation arrived can be the last of the old one or the first of the new, and ETK reads which from the build record.
BMW and MINI in one catalog
MINI parts sit in the same ETK data, with the same eleven-digit numbering. From the third-generation hatch, the F56, MINI uses BMW’s B38 and B48 engines, so engine parts often carry numbers you also see on a BMW.
On VINsearch one login opens both, along with the rest of the 53 catalogs, from $5 for a Day Pass.
Common BMW nameplates
These nameplates help you find the right vehicle family. Confirm the exact model, market and production period against the active catalog before quoting a part:
| Model | Production years |
|---|---|
| BMW 3 Series | 2018–present |
| BMW 5 Series | 2016–2023 |
| BMW X3 | 2017–present |
| BMW X5 | 2018–present |
| BMW 1 Series | — |
| BMW X1 | 2022–present |
| BMW 7 Series | — |
Frequently asked questions
Is BMW ETK the same as BMW EPC?
Yes. ETK stands for Elektronischer Teilekatalog, BMW Group’s electronic parts catalog, and people call it BMW EPC as well. ETKA is a different catalog, the one the Volkswagen Group uses.
Can I look up BMW parts by VIN online?
Yes. Enter the 17-character VIN and ETK opens the parts diagrams for that exact build, with the genuine part numbers. VINsearch runs it in the browser, so there is nothing to install.
Does it cover MINI?
Yes. MINI parts are in the same ETK data, and VINsearch opens BMW and MINI with one login.
What do the first digits of a BMW part number mean?
The first two digits are the main group and the next two the subgroup. 34 is brakes, so a number starting 34 11 belongs to the front wheel brake.
How much does BMW ETK cost on VINsearch?
A Day Pass is $5, a month $50 and a year $500. Every plan opens all 53 catalogs, with no per-search fees.