Self-maintenance and repair is an effective way to save money even with aftermarket wheels but it carries the risk of damage due to a lack of knowledge and experience, even with the most basic stage – installation of the lug.
Remember that a BMW is a huge investment, and you never want any fault to cost you millions of dollars in wheel cost. It is best to check our article for BMW x5 bolt pattern and torque specs.
In this article:
BMW Wheel Bolt Pattern
Most BMW vehicles share the same lug pattern of 5×120 mm or 5×4.72 inches. This means that five lug bolts form an imaginary circle with a diameter of 120mm. However, a few exceptions, such as the BMW M2 or Series 3, come with a 5×112 bolt design.

There are also several customizations in the life of a product line, such as the BMW 3-Series – the most popular version in the family. Launched in 1975, these cars have gone through 7 generations with three different lug patterns.
The first editions from 1975 to 2000, the E21 and E30, displayed a 4×100 pattern. This means that the 4 lug holes are evenly spaced 100 mm apart. The following four generations featured a 5×120 mm pattern from 1990 to 2019.
Since 2018, the manufacturer has launched the newest BMW generation (series 3) with a spectacular change in correct bolt pattern. They released models with a 5×112 design. As such, the number of wheel studs remains the same, but the bolt circle diameter is reduced to 112mm.
Factory Specs Of 3-Series Proper Wheel Fitment
While the BMW bolt pattern has not changed much over 50 years, specifications such as center bore, tire and rim dimensions, and torque specs have diversified from generation to generation. To choose the finest wheel lugs for your luxury vehicle, you must check the specs of the right model.
Note: The wheel specs below mainly focus on USDM (products for the US market) only.
BMW 3 Series I (E21): 1975 – 1983 (4×100 mm)
- Center bore measurement: 57.1 mm
- Thread size: M12 x 1.25
- Wheel fasteners: Lug nut
- Torque spec: 115 Nm
- Rim & tire dimensions
Engine Choices | Tire Size | Rim Sizes |
320i and 320IS I4 | 185/70R13 | 5.5Jx13 ET25 |
BMW 3 Series II (E30): 1982 – 1994 (4×100 mm)
- Center bore: 57.1 mm
- Thread size: M12 x 1.25
- Wheel fasteners: Lug nut
- Torque spec: 115 Nm
- Rim & tire dimensions
Engine Choices | Tire Size | Rim Sizes |
318i and 318IS | 195/60R14 | 5.5Jx14 ET35 |
325, 325ES and 325E I6 | 195/65R14 or 195/60R14 | 5.5Jx14 ET35 |
325IX | 205/55R15 | 7Jx15 ET41 |
M3 2.3 | 205/55ZR15 | 7Jx15 ET30 |
BMW 3 Series III (E36): 1990 – 2000 (5×120 mm)
- Center bore: 72.6 mm
- Thread size: M12 x 1.25
- Wheel fasteners: Lug nut
- Torque spec: 115 Nm
- Rim & tire dimensions
Engine Choices | Tire Size | Rim Sizes |
318i | 185/65R15 | 6Jx15 ET42 |
318IS, 323i, 323IS, 325i, 325IS, 328i, and 328IS I4 | 205/60R15 | 7Jx15 ET47 |
318TI | 185/65R15 or 205/60R15 | 6Jx15 ET42 or7Jx15 ET47 |
M3 | 225/45ZR17 or 245/40ZR17 | 7.5Jx17 ET41 or8.5Jx17 ET41 |
BMW 3 Series IV & Facelift (E46): 1998 – 2007 (5×120 mm)
- Hub bore: 72.6 mm
- Thread size: M12 x 1.25
- Wheel fasteners: Lug nut
- Torque spec: 100 Nm
- Rim & tire dimensions
Engine Choices | Tire Size | Rim Sizes |
323CI, 325CI, 325i, 325XI I6 | 205/55R16 or 225/45ZR17 | 7Jx16 ET46 or 8Jx17 ET47 |
323i I6 | 195/65R15 | 6.5Jx15 ET42 |
328CI and 328i I6 | 205/55R16, 225/45ZR17, 245/40ZR17 | 7Jx16 ET46, 7.5Jx17 ET41 8.5Jx17 ET50, or 8Jx17 ET47 |
330CI, 330i, 330XI I6 | 205/50R17, 225/45ZR17, or 245/40ZR17 | 7Jx17 ET47, 7.5Jx17 ET41 8.5Jx17 ET50 |
BMW 3 Series V & LCI (E90/E91/E92/E93): 2005 – 2013 (5×120 mm)
- Center bore: 72.6 mm
- Thread size: M12 x 1.25
- Wheel fasteners: Lug nut
- Torque spec: 120 Nm
- Rim & tire dimensions
Engine Choices | Tire Size | Rim Sizes |
325i, 325XI, 328i, 328i XDIVE, 328XI | 205/55R16 | 7Jx16 ET34 |
330i, 330XI, 335i, 335i XDRIVE, 335XI | 225/45R17 | 8Jx17 ET34 |
328i I6 and328i XDRIVE | 205/55R16 or 225/45R17 | 7Jx16 ET31 or 8Jx17 ET34 |
335D, 335i, 335 XDRIVE I6 | 225/45R17 | 8Jx17 ET34 |
335IS I6 | 225/40ZR18 and 255/35ZR18 | 8Jx18 ET34 or 8.5Jx18 ET37 |
BMW 3 Series VI & LCI (F30/F31/F34): 2011 – 2019 (5×120 mm)
- Center bore: 72.6 mm
- Thread size: M14 x 1.25
- Wheel fasteners: Lug nut
- Torque spec: 140 Nm
- Rim & tire dimensions
Engine Choices | Tire Size | Rim Sizes |
320i, 320i XDRIVE, 328i, 328i XDRIVE, 330i, 330i XDRIVE, 340i, 340i XDRIVE (Petrol) 328D and 328D XDRIVE (Diesel) 330R (Hybrid) | 225/50R17 | 7.5Jx17 ET37 |
335i, 335I XDRIVE (Petrol) | 225/45ZR18 | 8Jx18 ET34 |
Active Hybrid 3 | 225/45ZR18 | 8Jx18 ET34 |
GT 330i XDRIVE | 225/55ZR17 | 8Jx17 ET34 |
GT 328i XDRIVE | 225/55R17 | 8Jx17 ET34 |
GT 335i XDRIVE | 225/50R18 | 8Jx18 ET34 |
GT 340i XDIRVE | 225/50ZR18 | 8Jx18 ET34 |
BMW 3 Series VII & LCI (G20/G21): 2018 – 2022 (5×112 mm)
- Center bore: 66.6 mm
- Thread size: M14 x 1.25
- Wheel fasteners: Lug nut
- Torque spec: 140 Nm
- Rim & tire dimensions
Engine Choices | Tire Size | Rim Sizes |
330E and 330E XDRIVE (Hybrid) 330i and 330i XDRIVE (Petrol) | 225/45ZR18 | 7.5Jx18 ET25 |
M340i and M340i XDRIVE | 225/45ZR18 or 255/40ZR18 | 7.5Jx18 ET25 8.5Jx18 ET40 |
Tightening BMW Lugs
You’ve caught up with the BMW common bolt patterns, but it is not the whole story. Sometimes, you remove the wheel apart for a tire assembly or rim custom and need to screw in the center holes correctly later.
The important point is: each bolt pattern requires a different tightening sequence to ensure a secure and snug fit.
For example, you must proceed in a cross-shaped order with the 4-lug pattern. Meanwhile, the 5 bolt holes require a star-shaped sequence so that you do not loosen the previously approached details.


Then invest in a torque wrench and work in the defined sequence. Remember to tighten to the recommended torque specification of 140 Nm. A helpful tip is to only twist half round on the first turn, then continue one more time until you hear a click.
FAQs
What Cars Have The Same Bolt Pattern As BMW?
You may find the “BMW fitment” as the standard for other car brands, such as Cadillac, Acura, Land Rover, JAC, Lexus, and Volkswagen.
Can You Fit 5×120 On 5×112?
Fortunately, YES. A PCD adapter comes to help you change your wheel hub from 5×120 to 5×112.
Conclusion
It is not difficult to clarify the lug pattern BMW because they often follow a standard. However, there are exceptions like the 3-series mentioned above.
Therefore, you should thoroughly compare the car generation and specific engine options to determine the right design for your wheel sets. Do not overlook it since you need the most precise specs to mount the wheels in the car.