How to decode a 1996 BMW M3 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1996 BMW M3 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three-character sequence in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), specifying the vehicle manufacturer, where it was made, and the type of vehicle. For the 1996 BMW M3, the WMI is “WBS,” indicating that BMW M GmbH, a subsidiary of BMW AG, manufactured this vehicle. This specific WMI points to a passenger car produced in Munich, Germany. BMW M GmbH is renowned for enhancing BMW models to higher performance levels, and the 1996 M3 is a quintessential example of their craftsmanship. This identification not only ensures the car’s prestigious origin but also aids in recognizing the vehicle’s design and manufacturing specifics.
List of WMI Codes for a 1996 BMW M3
WMI: WBS
- Model Years Covered: 1988, 1995-1999, 2002-2006, 2008-2013, 2015-2018, 2021-2024
- Example VIN: WBSBG9320TEY73236
- 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 1996 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 1996 BMW M3:
| Known VDS for a 1996 BMW M3 |
|---|
| BG932 |
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 1996 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 1996 BMW M3 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 |
11th Character in the 1996 BMW M3 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1996 BMW M3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBSBG9320TEY73236 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 BMW M3
The final 6 characters in a 1996 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 1996 BMW M3’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1996 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 is usually visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plaque.
- Examine the door post on the driver’s side when you open the door. The VIN might be on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Inspect the front of the engine block. In many BMW M3 models, the VIN is stamped onto the engine itself.
- Check the rear wheel well. Sometimes the VIN can be found above the tire. 5. Review your vehicle’s paperwork. The VIN of your BMW M3 will be on the title, registration, and insurance documents.
What info can a 1996 BMW M3 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 1996, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Details: The VIN can provide specifics about the engine, indicating a displacement of 3.2 liters, operating with an in-line configuration, and having 6 cylinders with a horsepower of 240 or more.
- Fuel Type: The type of fuel the vehicle uses can be identified, in this case possibly being gasoline.
- Safety Features: Information regarding safety features, such as the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger, and details of other restraint systems, may be gleaned.
- Body Class and Size: The body class, such as “Coupe,” along with the number of doors, may be specified, providing insights into the vehicle’s size and type.
- Manufacturing Information: The VIN decodes to reveal manufacturing details, including the plant city of Regensburg and the country as Germany, which may offer insight into the vehicle’s origin.
- Vehicle Specifications: Basic vehicle specifications like the BMW M3 model and its gross vehicle weight rating class are potentially encoded within the VIN, providing a broad overview of its capabilities and classification.
Don’t have your 1996 BMW M3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 BMW M3
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 3200.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 195.27598110314 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.2 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 240 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| 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 | 1996 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBSBG932*TE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBSBG9320TEY73236 |
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