How to decode a 2016 BMW M3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 BMW M3 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 2016 BMW M3, the WMI is “WBS,” indicating that the car was built by BMW M GmbH, which specializes in high-performance versions of BMW vehicles. This specific WMI points to a passenger car manufactured in Munich, Germany, underlining BMW’s legacy of precision engineering. The WMI covers several model years, showing the consistency in manufacturing standards and attention to detail for which BMW M GmbH is known. This code is essential for identifying the car’s origins, ensuring authenticity, and facilitating traceability.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 BMW M3

WMI: WBS

Model Years Covered: 1988, 1995-1999, 2002-2006, 2008-2013, 2015-2018, 2021-2024
Example VIN: WBS8M9C50GP966653
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 2016 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 2016 BMW M3:

Known VDS for a 2016 BMW M3
8M9C5

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 2016 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 2016 BMW M3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
G	2016

11th Character in the 2016 BMW M3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 BMW M3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
5	Regensburg		Germany		WBS8M9C50G5D30104
P	Regensburg		Germany		WBS8M9C50GP966653

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 BMW M3

The final 6 characters in a 2016 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 2016 BMW M3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2016 BMW M3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2016 BMW M3. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb for a sticker or plate where you might find the VIN.
Check the front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid.
Examine the rear wheel well directly above the tire; sometimes the VIN is located there.
Look under the hood, and find the VIN on the front of the engine block.

What info can a 2016 BMW M3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being the year 2016, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Fuel Type: The VIN suggests that the vehicle runs on gasoline, which may be essential information for potential buyers concerned about fuel economy and environmental impact.
Engine Specifications: With a displacement of 3000 CC (181.8 CI or 3 L), a 425 horsepower engine, and 6 cylinders, the VIN offers detailed insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Safety Features: The VIN indicates the inclusion of airbags in the 1st and 2nd rows, along with front and knee airbag locations for both driver and passenger, suggesting a strong emphasis on occupant safety.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies the body class as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, providing potential buyers with essential information about the vehicle’s size and style.
Manufacturing Location: The VIN reveals that the vehicle was produced in Regensburg, Germany, providing insight into the vehicle’s origin, which could influence perceptions of quality and prestige.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type: The VIN highlights a direct TPMS, indicating advanced features for monitoring tire health, which could be a critical factor for maintenance and safety.

Don’t have your 2016 BMW M3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 BMW M3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	3000
Displacement (CI)	181.8
Displacement (L)	3
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	425
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)
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	M3
Model Year	2016
Other Restraint System Info	Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger.
Plant City	Regensburg
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	WBS8M9C5*GP
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WBS8M9C50GP966653