BMW M6 front and rear side marker bulbs utilize a 12961 bulb size across both locations. The replacement chart covers vehicle production spanning 1987 to 2010.
The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designating a miniature wedge bulb in the T10 form factor, using a W2.1x9.5d base and rated at 12 volts and 5 watts.
The T10 wedge base design requires no locking mechanism for retention; the bulb is held in place by the friction of the socket walls against the wedge-shaped glass envelope.
The BMW M6 front side marker positions for 2006-2010 all use the 12961 bulb.
The 1987-1988 model years carry a conditional note specifying the 12961 only for vehicles equipped with Halogen Capsule Headlamps, indicating that headlamp type is a relevant fitment variable for those years.
The rear side marker position on the BMW M6 is listed only for 1987-1988, both exclusively under the Halogen Capsule Headlamps condition.
At 5 watts, the 12961 operates at a low power draw consistent with its role as a marker lamp rather than a primary illumination source.
The W2.1x9.5d base designation is an IEC-standard identifier where "W" denotes a wedge base, "2.1" refers to the contact width in millimeters, and "9.5d" describes the pin spacing geometry.
Because the 12961 is a Philips-branded part number, equivalent bulbs from other manufacturers are typically cross-referenced by the T10 or W5W designation, which shares the same base and electrical ratings.