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!

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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