How to decode a BMW M3Cic VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW M3Cic VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), comprising the first three characters. It uniquely identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer and the country of origin. For the BMW M3Cic, the WMI is WBS, which signifies a vehicle produced by BMW M GmbH, a subsidiary of BMW AG that specializes in high-performance variants of BMW cars. The WBS code specifically indicates that this vehicle is a BMW M model, which sets it apart from the standard BMW lineup. This prestigious badge is reserved for models crafted with precision engineering and exceptional performance in mind, hailing from Munich, Germany.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW M3Cic
WMI: WBS
- Model Years Covered: 2001, 2003-2006
- Example VIN: WBSBR93401EX20090
- 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 BMW M3Cic 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 BMW M3Cic:
| Known VDS for a BMW M3Cic | |
|---|---|
| BR934 | BL934 |
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 BMW M3Cic 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 BMW M3Cic VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 6 | 2006 BMW M3Cic |
| 5 | 2005 BMW M3Cic |
| 4 | 2004 BMW M3Cic |
| 3 | 2003 BMW M3Cic |
| 1 | 2001 BMW M3Cic |
11th Character in the BMW M3Cic VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW M3Cic Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBSBR93401EX20090 | ||
| J | Regensburg | Germany | WBSBL93401JR10089 | ||
| P | Regensburg | Germany | WBSBR93403PK00625 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW M3Cic
The final 6 characters in a BMW M3Cic’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a BMW M3Cic’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW M3Cic is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side. The BMW M3Cic VIN should be visible on a small plaque as you look through the glass from the outside.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side. When you open the door, you may find the VIN on a sticker or plate where the door latches to the body of the BMW M3Cic.
- Check under the hood, where the BMW M3Cic VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or on a plate attached to the firewall.
- Examine the trunk area of your BMW M3Cic. The VIN can sometimes be found on the inside of the trunk lid or in the compartment where the spare tire is housed.
- Consult the BMW M3Cic vehicle documentation, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers, where the VIN is routinely recorded.
- If your BMW M3Cic has a rear-wheel well, peek behind the tires. The VIN may be stamped on the frame within the wheel well.
- On the BMW M3Cic’s frame, you could also check beneath the vehicle where the chassis is often marked with the VIN.
What info can a BMW M3Cic VIN reveal?
- Manufacturer Name: The VIN may reveal the manufacturer name as BMW M GmbH, potentially offering insights into the brand’s reputation and manufacturing standards.
- Model Year: The VIN can possibly include the model year of the vehicle, which in this case may be 2006, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN might suggest that the vehicle is a passenger car, potentially helping to understand its intended use and features.
- Plant City: The VIN could indicate the plant city where the vehicle was manufactured, in this case possibly Regensburg, offering insights into the vehicle’s production location.
- Body Class: The VIN may provide information about the body class of the vehicle, potentially indicating it as a Convertible/Cabriolet, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Don’t have your BMW M3Cic’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW M3Cic
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 3246.2773784 |
| Displacement (CI) | 198.1 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.2 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 333 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW M GmbH |
| 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) |
| Model | M3 |
| Model Year | 2001 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Dual stage Advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Regensburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3 Series |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBSBL934*1J |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBSBL93401JR10089 |
Decode a BMW VIN
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