How to decode a 2024 BMW M3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2024 BMW M3 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, as well as its type, and the country of origin. It forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is essential for vehicle registration, identification, and tracking purposes. For the 2024 BMW M3, the WMI code is “WBS,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW M GmbH. This luxury passenger car originates from Munich, Germany, showcasing BMW’s prestigious engineering and design. The WMI not only highlights the brand’s legacy but also assures the vehicle’s authenticity and lineage.

List of WMI Codes for a 2024 BMW M3

WMI: WBS

Model Years Covered: 1988, 1995-1999, 2002-2006, 2008-2013, 2015-2018, 2021-2024
Example VIN: WBS43AY00RFR47836
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 2024 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 2024 BMW M3:

Known VDS for a 2024 BMW M3
43AY0	63AY0	33AY0	53AY0

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 2024 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 2024 BMW M3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
R	2024

11th Character in the 2024 BMW M3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2024 BMW M3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Munich		Germany		WBS43AY00RFR47836

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2024 BMW M3

The final 6 characters in a 2024 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 2024 BMW M3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2024 BMW M3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your BMW M3. The VIN can typically be found here, visible from outside the vehicle.
Open the driver’s door and examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). Often, the VIN is located on a sticker or a plate in this area on the BMW M3.
Check under the hood of your BMW M3 for a metal plate or sticker, as the VIN might also be placed at the front of the engine block.
Look in the trunk area of your BMW M3, underneath the spare tire or on the trunk walls, as the VIN might be affixed there on a sticker or a plate.
If the vehicle has a rear wheel well, try looking above the tire; sometimes, the VIN is located in this area within the BMW M3.
In some models, the VIN may also be found on the vehicle’s registration, insurance documents, or vehicle title, which should match the VIN on the BMW M3 itself.

What info can a 2024 BMW M3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly being the year 2024, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Location: The VIN may provide information about the manufacturing location of the vehicle, possibly indicating that it was manufactured in Munich, Germany, offering insights into the production origin.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: Decoding the VIN can uncover the possible vehicle type as a Passenger Car with a potential body class described as Sedan/Saloon, offering a glimpse of the vehicle’s design and intended use.
Engine Specifications: The VIN includes potential engine details, such as a 3.0-liter engine displacement with six cylinders and an engine brake horsepower starting from 543, indicating potential performance capabilities.
Safety Features: The VIN may detail comprehensive safety features, possibly including front, side, and curtain airbags located in both the 1st and 2nd rows, and additional features such as knee airbags for both driver and passenger in the first row, illustrating a potential emphasis on occupant safety.
Fuel Type: It could specify the primary fuel type as Gasoline, which is important for understanding potential environmental impact and fuel consumption patterns.
Restraint and Tire Pressure Systems: Information on potential restraint systems like seat belts with pretensioners and a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) indicates potential advanced safety and maintenance technologies.
Model Specifics: Details like the model being an M3 and part of the 3-Series trim level could provide insight into the vehicle’s market positioning, performance expectations, and design heritage.

Don’t have your 2024 BMW M3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2024 BMW M3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	3000
Displacement (CI)	183.0712322841
Displacement (L)	3
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	543
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	M3
Model Year	2024
Other Restraint System Info	Seat Belt: All positions / Pretensioners, Side Airbags, Head Inflatable Restraint: Front Row & Rear Outboard Driver-side, Rear Outboard Passenger-side
Plant City	Munich
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	3-Series
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	M3
Vehicle Descriptor	WBS53AY0*RF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WBS53AY00RFR51924