BMW 1 Series wheel fitment — I LCI E87/E81/E82/E88
Overview
The first generation BMW 1 Series includes models E81 (3-door hatchback), E82 (coupe), E87 (5-door hatchback), and E88 (convertible). Produced from 2004 to 2013, it replaced the BMW 3 Series Compact as the entry-level model in the BMW range. The chassis features an aluminum multi-link suspension with a rear-wheel drive layout providing a rare 50:50 weight distribution for hatchbacks. Engines include four-cylinder turbo-diesel and naturally aspirated petrol engines, six-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engines, and six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engines (exclusive to coupe and convertible models).
History & notable variants
Development began alongside the E90 3 Series with shared components including front and rear suspension, chassis, engines, drivetrain, hardware, and electronic elements. The first production model was launched as a five-door hatchback at the Paris Motor Show in September 2004. In May 2005, Kermit the Frog starred in a commercial showcasing the car's agility. A facelift (LCI) for the E87 occurred in March 2007 with further updates to coupes and convertibles in 2010.
BMW 1 Series wheel fitment
Everything below is what the fit-check uses for BMW 1 Series wheel fitment: the factory bolt spec first, then the width and offset window that clears the arches and the brakes on the BMW 1 Series I LCI (E87/E81/E82/E88).
| Bolt pattern (PCD) | 5x120 |
| Centre bore | 72.6 mm |
| Bolt / thread | M12 x 1.5 (bolts) |
| Wheel-bolt torque | 120 Nm |
| Seat type | tapered |
| Factory setup | staggered |
| TPMS | none |
| Run-flat | Yes |
Aftermarket wheel sizes — read per position:
| Position | Width | Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 6J–8J | ET22–ET45 |
| Rear (staggered) | 7J–8.5J | ET33–ET45 |
As a rule, each extra 1J of width wants roughly +8 to 10 ET to keep the wheel tucked. The exact offset and any spacer are confirmed by the fit-check.
Engines & drivetrain
| Variant | Engine | Fuel | Power | Drive, years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116i | 1.6 L N45, inline-4 | petrol | 85 kW (116 PS) | 2004 to 2011 |
| 116i | 1.6 L N43, inline-4 | petrol | 90 kW (122 PS) | 2007 to 2011 |
| 116i | 2.0 L N43, inline-4 | petrol | 95 kW (129 PS) | 2009 to 2011 |
| 118i | 2.0 L N46, inline-4 | petrol | 95 kW (129 PS) | 2005 to 2007 |
| 118i | 2.0 L N43, inline-4 | petrol | 105 kW (143 PS) | 2007 to 2009 |
| 118i | 2.0 L N43, inline-4 | petrol | 90 kW (122 PS) | 2009 to 2011 |
| 120i | 2.0 L N46, inline-4 | petrol | 110 kW (150 PS) | 2004 to 2007 |
| 120i | 2.0 L N43, inline-4 | petrol | 125 kW (170 PS) | 2007 to 2013 |
| 120i | 2.0 L N46N, inline-4 | petrol | 115 kW (156 PS) | 2006 to 2011 |
| 125i | 3.0 L N52, inline-6 | petrol | 160 kW (218 PS) | 2007 to 2013 |
| 128i | 3.0 L N52, inline-6 | petrol | 170 kW (231 PS) | 2008 to 2013 |
| 130i | 3.0 L N52, inline 6 | petrol | 195 kW (265 PS) | 2005 to 2007 |
| 130i | 3.0 L N52, inline 6 | petrol | 190 kW (258 PS) | 2007 to 2011 |
| 135i | 3.0 L N54, inline-6 turbo | petrol | 225 kW (306 PS) | 2007 to 2010 |
| 135i | 3.0 L N55, inline-6 turbo | petrol | 225 kW (306 PS) | 2010 to 2013 |
| 135is | 3.0 L N55, inline-6 turbo | petrol | 239 kW (325 PS) | 2013 |
| 1M Coupe | 3.0 L N54, inline-6 turbo | petrol | 250 kW (340 PS) | 2011 to 2012 |
| 116d | 2.0 L N47, inline-4 turbo | diesel | 85 kW (116 PS) | 2009 to 2011 |
| 118d | 2.0 L M47, inline-4 turbo | diesel | 90 kW (122 PS) | 2004 to 2007 |
| 118d | 2.0 L N47, inline-4 turbo | diesel | 105 kW (143 PS) | 2007 to 2013 |
| 120d | 2.0 L M47, inline-4 turbo | diesel | 120 kW (163 PS) | 2004 to 2007 |
| 120d | 2.0 L N47, inline-4 turbo | diesel | 130 kW (177 PS) | 2007 to 2013 |
| 123d | 2.0 L N47, inline-4 twin-turbo | diesel | 150 kW (204 PS) | 2007 to 2013 |
Source: BMW 1 Series (E87), en.wikipedia.org.
UK popularity & demand
Based on DfT VEH0124 vehicle-parc data (2025), there are approximately 397,465 BMW 1 Series on UK roads, placing it in the top 1% of car models by volume across our fitment database.
With that many on the road, BMW 1 Series wheel fitment is a spec fitters see constantly. We keep it current for that reason.
Source: DfT/DVLA licensed-vehicle statistics (VEH0124), matched to the AIWheelTech fitment database.
Dimensions
| Length | 4,227 to 4,380 mm |
| Width | 1,748 to 1,803 mm |
| Height | 1,420 to 1,430 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,245 to 1,540 kg |
Source: BMW 1 Series (E87), en.wikipedia.org.
Body styles & production
| Body styles | 2-door coupe, 2-door convertible, 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback |
| Produced | 2007–2012 |
Factory colours
Trim levels
Reliability & owner notes
- Pros: Unique rear-wheel drive layout for hatchbacks; wide range of engine options including powerful six-cylinder variants; high-quality interior and build quality
- Cons: Higher fuel consumption compared to front-wheel drive competitors; limited passenger space due to compact design
- Common issues: None explicitly mentioned in the reference