Question on manufacturing.

[Flamesofgold]

I see me vin stickers usually look like this

However I've seen a few m3s particularly Le Mans blue some of look like this

What is the difference if any?

FYI these are just googled images of the vin stickers. They may or maynot actually be m3

[///Matthew]

As far as I recall, M cars (with the exception of the e24 M6) have VINs that start with WBS and not WBA.

[Flamesofgold]

Originally Posted by ///Matthew

As far as I recall, M cars (with the exception of the e24 M6) have VINs that start with WBS and not WBA.

I am asking about the "mfd by"

One says by GmbH and the other by bayerische motoren werke

[quiksi]

it's whatever corporate entity of BMW that runs the plant where the car is built

[Flamesofgold]

Originally Posted by quiksi

it's whatever corporate entity of BMW that runs the plant where the car is built

Thanks just making sure I wasn't looking at some sort of m3 clone.

[///Matthew]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

I am asking about the "mfd by"

One says by GmbH and the other by bayerische motoren werke

Good luck.

[quiksi]

Originally Posted by Flamesofgold

Thanks just making sure I wasn't looking at some sort of m3 clone.

usually you can tell in other ways

[Flamesofgold]

Im a bit new to this world

[Law]

BMW M GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW AG).
[Most] Vehicles MFR'd under the M GmbH subsidiary with final assembly in Germany bear VIN #s with the prefix "WBS". All others with final assembly in Germany bear VIN #s with the prefix "WBA".

[Flamesofgold]

So it is possible for a m3 to be mfd by bayerische motoren werke?

Just wanna make sure

Sorry for the newb question. I did search but didn't find much

[///Matthew]

Just look for the VIN to start with "WBS".

[bdaddylo]

Originally Posted by quiksi

it's whatever corporate entity of BMW that runs the plant where the car is built

The plant has nothing to do with the VIN. BMW no longer has M only plants. The new plants can produce M and non-M cars and the M cars will have the WBS VIN and non-M cars will have WBA.

[quiksi]

Originally Posted by bdaddylo

The plant has nothing to do with the VIN. BMW no longer has M only plants. The new plants can produce M and non-M cars and the M cars will have the WBS VIN and non-M cars will have WBA.

most people know this but OP is asking specifically about the Mfg. header exclusive of the VIN for whatever reason

[bdaddylo]

Originally Posted by quiksi

most people know this but OP is asking specifically about the Mfg. header exclusive of the VIN for whatever reason

You don't get it. All M cars will say mfd by BMW M GmbH and non M cars will say mfd by Bayerische Motorenwerke AG and both cars can be produced by the same factory, so it has nothing to do with the corporate entity that runs the plant as you alluded to.