2012 BMW M3: trims, real prices & how to pick yours

4 builds left the factory as a 2012 M3, each a different combination of engine, transmission and body identified by the first eight characters of its VIN.

  • 2 main configurations
  • 553 vehicles built
  • 19 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

RWD WBSKG9C5-C RWD WBSDX9C5-C
Body Coupe Convertible
Typical price today $56,999 $25,408
For sale right now 10 9
Vehicles built 303 240
Same on every 2012 M3
  • Engine 4L 8-cyl
  • Power 414 hp
  • Drivetrain Rear-wheel drive
  • Fuel Gasoline
  • Doors 2-door
Price trend

Median down $1,171 over the last 11 months.

2012 M3 price history →
Will it hold value?

A M3 typically keeps about 93% of its price over 5 years — a 5-year-old one runs about $31,072 today.

M3 depreciation by year →
Cost to run

14/20 mpg city/highway. Roughly $2,910/yr on fuel at 15,000 miles.

EPA estimate for the 2012 M3

Safety, in plain English

What WBSDX9C5-C means

WBS DX9C5 · C
WBS
the World Manufacturer Identifier BMW registered — assembled in Germany
DX9C5
together encode the M3 line — Convertible, 4L 8cyl, Rear-wheel drive — as BMW filed it, these five characters are read as one block, not letter by letter
C
in position 10 — model year 2012
9, 11–17
differ on every car: check digit, plant code and the serial number
2 rare configurations — 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.

2012 BMW M3 prices →