BMW 3 Series wheel fitment — III E36
BMW 3 Series wheel fitment
BMW 3 Series wheel fitment for the BMW 3 Series III (E36) (1990–2000): the factory PCD, centre bore and bolt spec, then the aftermarket width and offset window we fit to.
| Bolt pattern (PCD) | 5x120 |
| Centre bore | 72.6 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 | 6J–7J | ET37–ET52 |
Go wider and the offset has to rise with it, about 8 to 10 ET per extra 1J, or the wheel pokes past the arch. The fit-check settles the exact offset and any spacer.
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.
A parc that size is why BMW 3 Series wheel fitment is worth getting exactly right: a lot of owners are shopping for these numbers.
Source: DfT/DVLA licensed-vehicle statistics (VEH0124), matched to the AIWheelTech fitment database.
Overview
The third generation of the BMW 3 Series (E36) was produced from 1990 to 2000 by BMW. It introduced a hatchback body style for the first time, along with significant mechanical upgrades such as multi-link rear suspension and diesel engine options. The E36 was manufactured in Germany, South Africa, the United States, Mexico, Indonesia, Egypt, and the Philippines. It succeeded the E30 model and preceded the E46 generation.
Dimensions
| Length | 4,210 to 4,433 mm |
| Width | 1,698 to 1,710 mm |
| Height | 1,335 to 1,393 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,140 to 1,535 kg |
Source: BMW E36, de.wikipedia.org.
Body styles & production
| Body styles | 2-door coupé, 2-door convertible, 3-door hatchback, 4-door saloon, 5-door wagon |
| Produced | 1990–2000 |
Engines & drivetrain
| Variant | Engine | Fuel | Power | Drive, years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316i | 1,596 cc, M40-B16 | petrol | 73 kW (99 PS) | 1990 to 1993 |
| 316i | 1,596 cc, M43-B16 | petrol | 75 kW (102 PS) | 1993 to 1999 |
| 316g | 1,596 cc, M43-B16 | petrol | 60 kW (82 PS) | 1995 to 2000 |
| 316i | 1,895 cc, M43TÜ -B19 | petrol | 77 kW (105 PS) | 1999 to 2000 |
| 318i | 1,796 cc, M40-B18 | petrol | 83 kW (113 PS) | 1990 to 1993 |
| 318i | 1,796 cc, M43-B18 | petrol | 85 kW (115 PS) | 1993 to 1999 |
| 318is/ti | 1,796 cc, M42-B18 | petrol | 103 kW (140 PS) | 1991 to 1996 |
| 318is/ti | 1,895 cc, M44-B19 | petrol | 103 kW (140 PS) | 1996 to 1999 |
| 320i | 1,991 cc, M50-B20 | petrol | 110 kW (150 PS) | 1990 to 1995 |
| 320i | 1,991 cc, M52-B20 | petrol | 110 kW (150 PS) | 1994 to 1999 |
| 323i/ti | 2,494 cc, M52-B25 | petrol | 125 kW (170 PS) | 1995 to 2000 |
| 325i | 2,494 cc, M50-B25 | petrol | 141 kW (192 PS) | 1990 to 1995 |
| 328i | 2,793 cc, M52-B28 | petrol | 142 kW (193 PS) | 1995 to 1999 |
| M3 | 2,990 cc, S50-B30 | petrol | 210 kW (286 PS) | 1992 to 1995 |
| M3 GT | 2,990 cc, S50-B30 | petrol | 217 kW (295 PS) | 1994 to 1995 |
| M3 | 3,201 cc, S50-B32 | petrol | 236 kW (321 PS) | 1995 to 1999 |
| 318tds | 1,665 cc, M41-D17 | diesel | 66 kW (90 PS) | 1995 to 2000 |
| 325td | 2,498 cc, M51-D25 | diesel | 85 kW (115 PS) | 1991 to 1998 |
| 325tds | 2,498 cc, M51-D25 | diesel | 105 kW (143 PS) | 1993 to 1999 |
| B6 2.8 | 2,752 cc | diesel | 177 kW (240 PS) | 1992 to 1993 |
| B3 3.0 | 2,997 cc | diesel | 184 kW (250 PS) | 1993 to 1996 |
| B3 3.2 | 3,152 cc | diesel | 195 kW (265 PS) | 1996 to 1999 |
| B8 4.6 | 4,619 cc | diesel | 245 kW (333 PS) | 1995 to 1998 |
Source: BMW E36, de.wikipedia.org.
Trim levels
Factory colours
History & notable variants
Development of the E36 began in 1981 with a focus on aerodynamics and multi-link suspension. The production version was launched in October 1990, followed by coupés and convertibles later. The Touring variant debuted in March 1995. Notable for its consistent presence in Car and Driver's 10Best list throughout its run, the E36 saw a gradual phase-out after the introduction of the E46 in 1998.
Reliability & owner notes
- Pros: Innovative multi-link suspension, introduction of diesel engines, aerodynamic design, consistent performance and reliability
- Cons: Limited all-wheel drive availability compared to predecessor/successor generations