How to decode a 2010 BMW M3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2010 BMW M3 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are a unique sequence of three characters assigned to every vehicle manufacturer, providing insights into the vehicle’s make, country of origin, and type. For the 2010 BMW M3, the WMI “WBS” specifies that this high-performance passenger car is manufactured by BMW M GmbH, located in Munich, Germany. The identification applies to a range of model years, including 2010, underscoring the vehicle’s sophisticated engineering and German craftsmanship. WMIs are crucial for vehicle identification, serving as the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which further assists in tracking, registration, and recall operations. In essence, the WMI acts as a global fingerprint for automotive manufacturers, distinguishing each vehicle’s origin and make.

List of WMI Codes for a 2010 BMW M3

WMI: WBS

Model Years Covered: 1988, 1995-1999, 2002-2006, 2008-2013, 2015-2018, 2021-2024
Example VIN: WBSPM9C50AE201974
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 2010 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 2010 BMW M3:

Known VDS for a 2010 BMW M3
PM9C5	WD9C5	WL9C5

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 2010 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 2010 BMW M3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
A	2010

11th Character in the 2010 BMW M3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2010 BMW M3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
E	Regensburg		Germany		WBSPM9C50AE201974
P	Regensburg		Germany		WBSWD9C50AP362437

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2010 BMW M3

The final 6 characters in a 2010 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 2010 BMW M3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2010 BMW M3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW M3. The VIN can typically be seen by looking through the windshield.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side door of your BMW M3. The VIN should be on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Open the hood of your BMW M3 and check the front of the engine block for the VIN stamp.
Inspect the trunk area of your BMW M3. Sometimes there is a VIN sticker located in the spare tire well or on the trunk lid itself.
Review your BMW M3’s vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, which will always list your VIN.

What info can a 2010 BMW M3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2010, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, indicating that the vehicle is a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and functionality.
Engine Specifications: The VIN provides detailed engine information such as a displacement of 4.0 liters (or 244.1 cubic inches), an engine brake horsepower starting from 414, and it being an 8-cylinder engine, which could underscore the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline, possibly contributing to an understanding of fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: Safety features can be inferred from the VIN, like the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger and a dual-stage supplemental restraint system, which might emphasize the vehicle’s safety standards.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN contains valuable information about the vehicle’s manufacturing origin, showing that it was manufactured in Regensburg, Germany, possibly highlighting the geographical lineage of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Series: It’s hinted that the vehicle is a Passenger Car belonging to the 3-Series model line, enriching the context about the vehicle’s market segment and model differentiation.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2010 BMW M3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	4000.0
Displacement (CI)	244.1
Displacement (L)	4.0
Doors	4
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	2010
Other Restraint System Info	Dual-stage suppl. restraint system (SRS) certified to the advanced airbag requiremnets of FMVSS 208, S14.
Plant City	Regensburg
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	3 - Series
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	WBSPM9C5*AE
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WBSPM9C50AE201974