BMW 3 Series wheel fitment — II E30
Overview
The BMW E30 is the second generation of the BMW 3 Series, produced from 1982 to 1994 and replacing the E21 model. It was manufactured in West Germany (Munich and Regensburg) and South Africa (Rosslyn). The E30 introduced new body styles including four-door saloon and station wagon variants, alongside two-door saloons and convertibles. This generation featured a revised suspension to address oversteer issues of its predecessor and was the first 3 Series with diesel engine options.
History & notable variants
Development began in July 1976 under chief designer Claus Luthe and exterior styling by Boyke Boyer, leading to production launch at the end of November 1982. A minor update occurred in 1985, introducing a factory convertible model alongside the Baur conversion. In 1988, significant changes were made including redesigned rear lights and bumpers, improved rust protection, and the introduction of the Touring body style.
BMW 3 Series wheel fitment
Everything below is what the fit-check uses for BMW 3 Series wheel fitment: the factory bolt spec first, then the width and offset window that clears the arches and the brakes on the BMW 3 Series II (E30).
| Bolt pattern (PCD) | 4x100 |
| Centre bore | 57.1 mm |
| Bolt / thread | M12 x 1.5 (bolts) |
| Wheel-bolt torque | 115 Nm |
| Seat type | tapered |
| Factory setup | square |
| TPMS | none |
Aftermarket wheel sizes — read per position:
| Position | Width | Offset |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 5.5J–6.5J | ET19–ET40 |
Width and offset move together: roughly 8 to 10 ET more for every extra 1J keeps the wheel inside the arch. Final offset and any spacer come from the fit-check.
Engines & drivetrain
| Variant | Engine | Fuel | Power | Drive, years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316s | 1.6 L M10B16, straight-4 | petrol | 55 kW (75 PS) | 1982 to 1987 |
| 316 | 1.8 L M10B18, straight-4 | petrol | 66 kW (90 PS) | 1982 to 1988 |
| 316i | 1.6 L M40B16, straight-4 fuel injected | petrol | 73 kW (99 PS) | 1987 to 1994 |
| 318i | 1.8 L M10B18, straight-4 fuel injected | petrol | 77 kW (105 PS) | 1983 to 1987 |
| 318i | 1.8 L M40B18, straight-4 fuel injected | petrol | 83 kW (113 PS) | 1987 to 1994 |
| 318is | 1.8 L M42B18, straight-4 fuel injected | petrol | 100 kW (136 PS) | 1989 to 1991 |
| 320i | 2.0 L M20B20, straight-6 fuel injected | petrol | 92 kW (125 PS) | 1982 to 1985 |
| 320i | 2.0 L M20B20, straight-6 fuel injected | petrol | 95 kW (129 PS) | 1985 to 1992 |
| 320is | 2.0 L S14B20, straight-4 fuel injected | petrol | 143 kW (195 PS) | 1987 to 1990 |
| 323i | 2.3 L M20, straight-6 fuel injected | petrol | 102 kW (139 PS) | 1982 to 1984 |
| 323i | 2.3 L M20, straight-6 fuel injected | petrol | 110 kW (150 PS) | 1984 to 1985 |
| 325, 325e, / 325es | 2.7 L M20B27, straight-6 fuel injected | phev | 90 kW (122 PS) | 1985 to 1987 |
| 325, 325e, / 325es | 2.7 L M20B27, straight-6 fuel injected | phev | 127 hp | 1988 |
| 325i, 325is, / 325ix | 2.5 L M20B25, straight-6 fuel injected | petrol | 125 kW (170 PS) | 1985 to 1993 |
| M3, / M3 Evo 1 | 2.3 L S14B23, straight-4 fuel injected | petrol | 143 kW (195 PS) | 1986 to 1987 |
| M3 Evo 2 | 2.3 L S14B23, straight-4 fuel injected | petrol | 162 kW (220 PS) | 1988 |
| M3 Sport Evo | 2.5 L S14B25, straight-4 fuel injected | petrol | 175 kW (238 PS) | 1989 to 1990 |
| 324d | 2.4 L M21D24, straight-6 | diesel | 63 kW (86 PS) | 1985 to 1991 |
| 324td | 2.4 L M21D24, straight-6 turbo | diesel | 85 kW (115 PS) | 1987 to 1991 |
Source: BMW 3 Series (E30), en.wikipedia.org.
UK popularity & demand
Based on DfT VEH0124 vehicle-parc data (2025), there are approximately 467,458 BMW 3 Series on UK roads, placing it in the top 1% of car models by volume across our fitment database.
That makes BMW 3 Series wheel fitment a high-demand spec to keep in stock. It is one reason we track it here.
Source: DfT/DVLA licensed-vehicle statistics (VEH0124), matched to the AIWheelTech fitment database.
Dimensions
| Length | 4,325 to 4,360 mm |
| Width | 1,645 to 1,680 mm |
| Height | 1,365 to 1,380 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,565 to 2,570 mm |
| Kerb weight | 990 to 1,330 kg |
Source: BMW E30, de.wikipedia.org.
Body styles & production
| Body styles | 2/4-door saloon, 2-door convertible, 5-door wagon |
| Produced | 1982–1994 |
Factory colours
Trim levels
Reliability & owner notes
- Pros: Improved handling over E21; introduction of diesel engines and Touring body style
- Cons: Limited production in North America due to emissions regulations; bulky bumpers in early models
- Common issues: Rust issues, particularly on the convertible model