1997 BMW M3: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

4 builds left the factory as a 1997 M3, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 3 main configurations
  • 337 vehicles built
  • 16 for sale right now

Which M3 is yours?

Enter a VIN — the 17 characters on the windshield or the title — and we’ll match it to its exact factory configuration, typical price and equipment.

Works with any VIN — a different year or model takes you straight to its own page.

Pick your M3

What actually differs

Base configuration WBSBG932-V Automatic Base configuration WBSCD932-V
Body Coupe Sedan Sedan
Doors 2-door 4-door 4-door
Typical price today $30,185 $15,998 —
For sale right now 6 5 5
Vehicles built 149 112 75
Same on every 1997 M3
  • Engine 3.2L 6-cyl
  • Power 240 hp
  • Transmission Automatic
  • Fuel Gasoline
Cost to run

17/26 mpg city/highway. Roughly $2,330/yr on fuel at 15,000 miles.

EPA estimate for the 1997 M3

Safety, in plain English

What WBSCD932-V means

WBS CD932 · V
WBS
the World Manufacturer Identifier BMW registered — assembled in Germany
CD932
together encode the M3 line — Sedan, 3.2L 6cyl — as BMW filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
V
in position 10 — model year 1997
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
1 rare configuration — mostly fleet, export or irregular VIN patterns. Fewer than 20 known vehicles each.

Already looking at a specific M3?

Paste its VIN — we’ll open that exact car’s page: its configuration, market position and every listing we’ve tracked.

1997 BMW M3 prices →