- Characters 1-3 of a 2012 BMW M3 VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a 2012 BMW M3
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 BMW M3 VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a 2012 BMW M3 VIN.
- 10th Character in the 2012 BMW M3 VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the 2012 BMW M3 VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known 2012 BMW M3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 BMW M3
- How to find a 2012 BMW M3's VIN?
- What info can a 2012 BMW M3 VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 BMW M3
How to decode a 2012 BMW M3 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2012 BMW M3 VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, as well as its country of origin, and vehicle type. The WMI for BMW M GmbH vehicles, such as the 2012 BMW M3, starts with “WBS”, indicating it is produced by BMW M GmbH in Munich, Germany, and is classified as a passenger car. These codes, which form the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), provide valuable information about the vehicle, including its model year, which is crucial for registration, service, and parts compatibility. For the BMW M3 2012, the WMI reveals that it is part of a lineage produced during specific years, including 1988, 1995-1999, 2002-2006, 2008-2013, 2015-2018, and 2021-2024, highlighting its ongoing significance in BMW’s lineup. This framework allows for quick identification and verification of vehicles globally.
List of WMI Codes for a 2012 BMW M3
WMI: WBS
- Model Years Covered: 1988, 1995-1999, 2002-2006, 2008-2013, 2015-2018, 2021-2024
- Example VIN: WBSKG9C50CE797608
- Manufacturer Name: BMW M GmbH
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Munich
- State or Province:
- Country: Germany
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 BMW M3 VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2012 BMW M3:
| Known VDS for a 2012 BMW M3 | |
|---|---|
| KG9C5 | DX9C5 |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2012 BMW M3 VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the 2012 BMW M3 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| C | 2012 |
11th Character in the 2012 BMW M3 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2012 BMW M3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBSKG9C50CE797608 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 BMW M3
The final 6 characters in a 2012 BMW M3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW M3’s VIN below:
How to find a 2012 BMW M3’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2012 BMW M3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW M3 2012. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on a small plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area, where you’ll find a label or sticker that should have the VIN for your BMW M3 2012.
- Examine the front of the engine block. In BMW vehicles such as the M3, the VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check your vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or service records, as they should all contain the VIN of your BMW M3 2012.
What info can a 2012 BMW M3 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2012, providing insights into the age and potential technological advancements of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: Based on the VIN, the vehicle is indicated as a Coupe with 2 doors, providing hints about its design and potential passenger capacity.
- Engine Type: Detailed engine specifications such as a 4000 CC displacement, 414 horsepower, and 8 cylinders suggest a powerful and high-performance vehicle.
- Safety Features: The VIN suggests the presence of front and side airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger), along with other restraint systems, highlighting the vehicle’s safety equipment.
- Fuel Type: The VIN specifies that the vehicle uses Gasoline as its primary fuel type, which can impact fuel economy and emission standards.
- Manufacturing Details: Information about the manufacturing, including the plant city Regensburg and country Germany, provides insight into the origin and build quality of the vehicle.
- Additional Features: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is equipped with a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and manual seat belt types, offering clues about its convenience and safety enhancements.
Don’t have your 2012 BMW M3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 BMW M3
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
| Displacement (CC) | 4000.0823224 |
| Displacement (CI) | 244.1 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.0 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 414 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | M3 |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Head Inflatable Restraint for Driver and Front Passenger. Knee Inflatable Restraint for Driver and Front Passenger. Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger. |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBSDX9C5*CE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBSDX9C50CE784432 |
Decode other M3 Years
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