BMW 3 Series IV (E46) side profile — BMW 3 Series wheel fitment

BMW 3 Series wheel fitment — IV E46

By Torque, AIWheelTech vehicle & fitment specialist · 1998–2003
BMW 3 Series wheel fitment in one line: The BMW 3 Series IV (E46) (1998–2003) uses a 5x120 bolt pattern, 72.6 mm centre bore, M12 x 1.5 bolts torqued to ~100 Nm. It accepts ~6J–8J wheels at ET36–ET55 front; staggered setups run 8J–9.5J rear (ET30–ET45).

Overview

The BMW 3 Series IV (E46) is the fourth generation of compact executive cars manufactured by German automaker BMW from December 1997 to November 2006. It succeeded the E36 series and was available in sedan, coupé, convertible, station wagon, and hatchback body styles. The production line-up included performance variants like the M3 and special models such as the ZHP package.

BMW 3 Series wheel fitment

Start with the hub. The BMW 3 Series IV (E46) spec table gives the bolt pattern and bore; the second table is the aftermarket window for BMW 3 Series wheel fitment.

Bolt pattern (PCD)5x120
Centre bore72.6 mm
Bolt / threadM12 x 1.5 (bolts)
Wheel-bolt torque100 Nm
Seat typetapered
Factory setupstaggered
TPMSnone

Aftermarket wheel sizes — read per position:

PositionWidthOffset
Front6J–8JET36–ET55
Rear (staggered)8J–9.5JET30–ET45

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.

Browse wheels that fit a BMW 3 Series →Get them fitted (UK)

UK popularity & demand

~467,458 BMW 3 Series licensed on UK roads — top 1% of models by volume.

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.

With that many on the road, BMW 3 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.

Engines & drivetrain

VariantEngineFuelPowerDrive, years
316i1.9 L M43B19 inline-4petrol77 kW (105 PS)1999 to 2001
316i1.6 L N40B16 inline-4petrol85 kW (116 PS)2001 to 2004
316i1.8 L N42B18 inline-4petrol85 kW (116 PS)2001 to 2004
316i1.8 L N46B18 inline-4petrol85 kW (116 PS)2004 to 2005
318i1.9 L M43B19 inline-4petrol87 kW (118 PS)1998 to 2001
318i2.0 L N42B20 inline-4petrol105 kW (143 PS)2001 to 2005
318i2.0 L N46B20A inline-4petrol105 kW (143 PS)2003 to 2007
318Ci2.0 L N46B20A inline-4petrol110 kW (150 PS)2005 to 2007
320i2.0 L M52TÜB20 inline-6petrol110 kW (150 PS)1998 to 2000
320i2.2 L M54B22 inline-6petrol125 kW (170 PS)2000 to 2006
323i2.5 L M52TÜB25 inline-6petrol125 kW (170 PS)1998 to 2000
325i (EU)2.5 L M54B25 inline-6petrol141 kW (192 PS)2001 to 2006
325i (US)2.5 L M54B25 inline-6petrol137 kW (186 PS)2001 to 2006
325i SULEV2.5 L M56B25 Inline-6petrol135 kW (184 PS)2003 to 2006
328i2.8 L M52TÜB28 inline-6petrol142 kW (193 PS)1998 to 2000
330i (EU)3.0 L M54B30 inline-6petrol170 kW (231 PS)2000 to 2006
330i (US)3.0 L M54B30 inline-6petrol168 kW (228 PS)2000 to 2006
330i ZHP3.0 L M54B30 inline-6petrol175 kW (238 PS)2003 to 2006
M3 (EU)3.2 L S54B32 inline-6petrol252 kW (343 PS)2000 to 2006
M3 (US)3.2 L S54B32 inline-6petrol248 kW (337 PS)2000 to 2006
M3 CSL3.2 L S54B32HP inline-6petrol265 kW (360 PS)2003 to 2004
318d2.0 L M47D20 inline-4diesel85 kW (116 PS)2001 to 2003
318d2.0 L M47TÜD20 inline-4diesel85 kW (116 PS)2003 to 2005
320d2.0 L M47D20 inline-4diesel100 kW (136 PS)1998 to 2001
320d2.0 L M47TÜD20 inline-4diesel110 kW (150 PS)2001 to 2006
330d3.0 L M57D30 inline-6diesel135 kW (184 PS)1999 to 2003
330d3.0 L M57TÜD30 inline-6diesel150 kW (204 PS)2003 to 2005

Source: BMW 3 Series (E46), en.wikipedia.org.

Dimensions

Length4,470 to 4,490 mm
Width1,740 to 1,780 mm
Height1,360 to 1,430 mm
Wheelbase2,725 mm
Kerb weight1,285 to 1,655 kg

Source: BMW 3 Series (E46), en.wikipedia.org.

Body styles & production

Body styles2-door coupé, 2-door convertible, 3-door hatchback, 4-door sedan, 5-door wagon
Produced1998–2003
Units produced3,185,781

Trim levels

316i318d318i320d320i323i325i325xi328i330d330iM3

Factory colours

Calypso Red MetallicDark BlueArctic Gray MetallicBoston Green MetallicAvus Blue MetallicMorea Green MetallicMalediven Blue MetallicSamoa Blue MetallicMontreal Blue MetallicTechno Violet MetallicAlpinweiss IIIAlpine White IIICashmere Beige MetallicMadeira Violet MetallicCosmos Black MetallicPetrol PearlDark Green IIArctic Silver MetallicFjord Gray MetallicBritish Racing Green

History & notable variants

Development of the E46 began in 1993 under chief engineer Wolfgang Ziebart and head designer Chris Bangle. It was unveiled in November 1997, with sedan deliveries starting at the end of April 1998. The M3 performance model debuted in June 2000 for coupé and convertible variants. Production continued until August 2006 despite the introduction of the E90 series.

Reliability & owner notes