BMW 5 Series IV (E39) side profile — BMW 5 Series wheel fitment

BMW 5 Series wheel fitment — IV E39

Quick answer on BMW 5 Series wheel fitment: The BMW 5 Series IV (E39) (1996–2004) uses a 5x120 bolt pattern, 74.1 mm centre bore, M12 x 1.5 bolts torqued to ~115 Nm. It accepts ~6J–7.5J wheels at ET13–ET31.

BMW 5 Series wheel fitment

BMW 5 Series wheel fitment for the BMW 5 Series IV (E39) (1996–2004): the factory PCD, centre bore and bolt spec, then the aftermarket width and offset window we fit to.

Bolt pattern (PCD)5x120
Centre bore74.1 mm
Bolt / threadM12 x 1.5 (bolts)
Wheel-bolt torque115 Nm
Seat typetapered
Factory setupsquare
TPMSdirect

Aftermarket wheel sizes — read per position:

PositionWidthOffset
Front6J–7.5JET13–ET31

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.

Browse wheels that fit a BMW 5 Series →Get them fitted (UK)

UK popularity & demand

~196,854 BMW 5 Series licensed on UK roads — top 2% of models by volume.

Based on DfT VEH0124 vehicle-parc data (2025), there are approximately 196,854 BMW 5 Series on UK roads, placing it in the top 2% of car models by volume across our fitment database.

With that many on the road, BMW 5 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.

Overview

The BMW E39 is the fourth generation of the BMW 5 Series range, manufactured from 1996 to 2004. It was launched as a saloon and later introduced as a Touring (station wagon) model in 1996. The car was produced at Dingolfing in Germany, Jakarta in Indonesia via CKD assembly, and Kaliningrad in Russia by Avtotor. Compared to its predecessor, the E34, the E39 featured increased use of aluminium in chassis components, a four-cylinder diesel engine option for the first time, and rack-and-pinion steering on four- and six-cylinder models. It was positioned as an executive car, replacing the E34 and succeeded by the E60 5 Series.

Dimensions

Length4,775 to 4,805 mm
Width1,800 mm
Height1,435 to 1,445 mm
Wheelbase2,830 mm
Kerb weight1,485 to 1,875 kg

Source: BMW E39, de.wikipedia.org.

Body styles & production

Body styles4-door saloon, 5-door estate (Touring)
Produced1996–2004

Engines & drivetrain

VariantEngineFuelPowerDrive, years
520i1,991 cc, M52B20petrol110 kW (150 PS)1995 to 1998
520i1,991 cc, M52B20TUpetrol110 kW (150 PS)1998 to 2000
520i2,171 cc, M54B22petrol125 kW (170 PS)2000 to 2004
523i2,494 cc, M52B25petrol125 kW (170 PS)1995 to 1998
523i2,494 cc, M52B25TUpetrol125 kW (170 PS)1998 to 2000
525i2,494 cc, M54B25petrol141 kW (192 PS)2000 to 2004
528i2,793 cc, M52B28petrol142 kW (193 PS)1995 to 1998
528i2,793 cc, M52B28TUpetrol142 kW (193 PS)1998 to 2000
530i2,979 cc, M54B30petrol170 kW (231 PS)2000 to 2004
535i3,498 cc, M62B35petrol173 kW (235 PS)1996 to 1998
535i3,498 cc, M62B35TUpetrol180 kW (245 PS)1998 to 2003
540i4,398 cc, M62B44petrol210 kW (286 PS)1996 to 1998
540i4,398 cc, M62B44TUpetrol210 kW (286 PS)1998 to 2004
M54,941 cc, S62B50petrol294 kW (400 PS)1998 to 2003
520d1,951 cc, M47D20diesel100 kW (136 PS)2000 to 2003
525td2,497 cc, M51D25diesel85 kW (115 PS)1996 to 2000
525tds2,497 cc, M51D25TUdiesel105 kW (143 PS)1996 to 2000
525d2,497 cc, M57D25diesel120 kW (163 PS)2000 to 2004
530d2,926 cc, M57D30diesel135 kW (184 PS)1998 to 2000
530d2,926 cc, M57D30diesel142 kW (193 PS)2000 to 2004
B10 3,23,152 cc191 kW (260 PS)1997 to 1998
B10 3,33,298 cc206 kW (280 PS)1999 to 2003
B10 V84,619 cc250 kW (340 PS)1997 to 1998
B10 V84,619 cc255 kW (347 PS)1998 to 2000
B10 V84,619 cc255 kW (347 PS)2000 to 2002
B10 V8 S4,837 cc276 kW (375 PS)2002 to 2004
D10 Biturbo2,926 cc180 kW (245 PS)2000 to 2003

Source: BMW E39, de.wikipedia.org.

Performance

VariantPower0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h)Top speed
520i110 kW (150 PS)10.2 s210 to 220 km/h (130 to 137 mph)
520i110 kW (150 PS)10.2 s210 to 220 km/h (130 to 137 mph)
520i125 kW (170 PS)9.1 s220 to 226 km/h (137 to 140 mph)
523i125 kW (170 PS)8.5 s226 to 228 km/h (140 to 142 mph)
523i125 kW (170 PS)8.5 s226 to 228 km/h (140 to 142 mph)
525i141 kW (192 PS)8.1 s232 to 238 km/h (144 to 148 mph)
528i142 kW (193 PS)7.5 s234 to 236 km/h (145 to 147 mph)
528i142 kW (193 PS)7.5 s235 to 240 km/h (146 to 149 mph)
530i170 kW (231 PS)7.1 s244 to 250 km/h (152 to 155 mph)
535i173 kW (235 PS)7 s244 to 247 km/h (152 to 153 mph)
535i180 kW (245 PS)6.9 s247 to 250 km/h (153 to 155 mph)
540i210 kW (286 PS)6.2 s250 km/h (155 mph)
540i210 kW (286 PS)6.2 s250 km/h (155 mph)
M5294 kW (400 PS)5.3 s250 km/h (155 mph)
520d100 kW (136 PS)10.6 s206 km/h (128 mph)
525td85 kW (115 PS)11.9 s198 km/h (123 mph)
525tds105 kW (143 PS)10.4 s205 to 211 km/h (127 to 131 mph)
525d120 kW (163 PS)8.9 s219 km/h (136 mph)
530d135 kW (184 PS)8 s225 km/h (140 mph)
530d142 kW (193 PS)7.8 s230 km/h (143 mph)
B10 3,2191 kW (260 PS)6.5 s252 to 260 km/h (157 to 162 mph)
B10 3,3206 kW (280 PS)6.3 s256 to 262 km/h (159 to 163 mph)
B10 V8250 kW (340 PS)5.9 s268 to 275 km/h (167 to 171 mph)
B10 V8255 kW (347 PS)5.9 s269 to 279 km/h (167 to 173 mph)
B10 V8255 kW (347 PS)5.5 s269 to 279 km/h (167 to 173 mph)
B10 V8 S276 kW (375 PS)5.4 s273 to 284 km/h (170 to 176 mph)
D10 Biturbo180 kW (245 PS)7.2 s251 to 254 km/h (156 to 158 mph)

Source: BMW E39, de.wikipedia.org.

Trim levels

ExecutiveSports

Factory colours

Alpine White IIIJet BlackBright RedCalypso Red PearlArctic Silver MetallicOxford Green Pearl MetallicGrey Green MetallicArctic Gray MetallicOrient Blue MetallicGlacier Green Metallic

History & notable variants

Development began in 1993 with Joji Nagashima's design selected in June 1992. The model premiered at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1995 and was available for sale from December of that year. A high-performance variant, the E39 M5 saloon, debuted in 1998 featuring a V8 engine, marking a shift from previous inline-six engines. Alpina also produced several variants including the B10 series with various petrol and diesel options.

Reliability & owner notes