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!

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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