- Characters 1-3 of a 2017 BMW M3 VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a 2017 BMW M3
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2017 BMW M3 VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a 2017 BMW M3 VIN.
- 10th Character in the 2017 BMW M3 VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the 2017 BMW M3 VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known 2017 BMW M3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2017 BMW M3
- How to find a 2017 BMW M3's VIN?
- What info can a 2017 BMW M3 VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2017 BMW M3
How to decode a 2017 BMW M3 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2017 BMW M3 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) forms the initial segment of a vehicle identification number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of any given vehicle. For the 2017 BMW M3, the WMI “WBS” specifies that it was manufactured by BMW M GmbH, a subsidiary of BMW AG specializing in high-performance versions of standard BMW models. This particular prefix indicates that the vehicle was assembled in Munich, Germany, categorizing it as a passenger car. The WMI is an essential tool in vehicle tracking and identification, providing a universal shorthand for the vehicle’s manufacturing origin, the company that created it, and the type of vehicle it is. This framework allows for a consistent method of vehicle identification across the global automotive industry.
List of WMI Codes for a 2017 BMW M3
WMI: WBS
- Model Years Covered: 1988, 1995-1999, 2002-2006, 2008-2013, 2015-2018, 2021-2024
- Example VIN: WBS8M9C50H5G42120
- 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 2017 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 2017 BMW M3:
| Known VDS for a 2017 BMW M3 | |
|---|---|
| 8M9C5 | 8M9C3 |
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 2017 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 2017 BMW M3 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 2017 |
11th Character in the 2017 BMW M3 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2017 BMW M3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Regensburg | Germany | WBS8M9C50H5G42120 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2017 BMW M3
The final 6 characters in a 2017 BMW M3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2017 BMW M3’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2017 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. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small section of the dashboard.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door pillar (also called the door jamb). You’ll often find a sticker with the VIN where the door latches.
- Check the front of the engine block. The VIN might be etched or stamped onto the metal.
- Examine the rear wheel well on the driver’s side. Sometimes the VIN is located above the tire.
- Look under the trunk/deck lid. In some BMW models, you might find the VIN near the spare tire or on the trunk’s hinge.
What info can a 2017 BMW M3 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN may indicate that the car is a 2017 model, possibly providing crucial information about its production year.
- Safety Features: Essential safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and front airbags for both driver and passenger are standard, possibly indicating a focus on safety.
- Engine Specifications: With an engine displacement of approximately 3 liters and 6 cylinders, the vehicle may promise significant performance capabilities, generating up to 425 horsepower.
- Fuel Type: The vehicle possibly uses gasoline as its primary fuel, offering insights into potential fuel efficiency and performance characteristics.
- Body Class and Size: This vehicle is classified as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors and seating for 5 passengers, potentially designed for comfort and convenience.
- Advanced Safety Options: Features such as Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) are optional, possibly indicating available upgrades for enhanced safety.
- Manufacturing Details: The plant located in Regensburg, Germany possibly provides insight into the vehicle’s production location, underscoring its potential manufacturing pedigree.
Don’t have your 2017 BMW M3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2017 BMW M3
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Optional |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Optional |
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Optional |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 2979.1682352 |
| Displacement (CI) | 181.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 3 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 425 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Optional |
| 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) |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Optional |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Optional |
| Model | M3 |
| Model Year | 2017 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger. |
| Parking Assist | Optional |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Optional |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Top Speed (MPH) | 155 |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Trim | M3 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBS8M9C3*H5 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 110.6 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 19 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 19 |
| Sample_VIN | WBS8M9C30H5G84897 |
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