What size wheels fit a Volkswagen Passat (V) W8 3BS?

Roughly 7J–9.5J (ET27–ET45).

How many Volkswagen Passat are there on UK roads?

Approximately 175,564 Volkswagen Passat are licensed in the UK, according to DfT VEH0124 vehicle-parc data (2025).

Volkswagen Passat wheel fitment — V W8 3BS

By Torque, AIWheelTech vehicle & fitment specialist · 1973–present

Volkswagen Passat wheel fitment at a glance — The Volkswagen Passat (V) W8 3BS (1973–present) uses a 5x112 bolt pattern, 57.1 mm centre bore, M14x1.5 bolts torqued to ~120 Nm. It accepts ~7J–9.5J wheels at ET27–ET45.

Overview

The Volkswagen Passat W8 3BS is part of the D-segment large family car series manufactured by Volkswagen since 1973. It was introduced as an upscale variant of the B5 generation Passat, featuring a unique W8 engine configuration. The exact production years for this specific model are not explicitly stated in the provided reference.

Volkswagen Passat wheel fitment

Volkswagen Passat wheel fitment for the Volkswagen Passat (V) W8 3BS (1973–present): the factory PCD, centre bore and bolt spec, then the aftermarket width and offset window we fit to.

Bolt pattern (PCD)	5x112
Centre bore	57.1 mm
Bolt / thread	M14x1.5 (bolts)
Wheel-bolt torque	120 Nm
Seat type	radius
Factory setup	square
TPMS	indirect

Aftermarket wheel sizes — read per position:

Position	Width	Offset
Front	7J–9.5J	ET27–ET45

As a rule, each extra 1J of width wants roughly +8–10 ET to keep the wheel tucked. The exact offset and any spacer are confirmed by the fit-check.

Browse wheels that fit a Volkswagen Passat →Get them fitted (UK)

UK popularity & demand

~175,564 Volkswagen Passat licensed on UK roads — top 2% of models by volume.

Based on DfT VEH0124 vehicle-parc data (2025), there are approximately 175,564 Volkswagen Passat on UK roads, placing it in the top 2% of car models by volume across our fitment database.

That makes Volkswagen Passat 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.

Engines & drivetrain

Variant	Engine	Fuel	Power	Drive
W8 3BS	4.0L W8	petrol	275 hp	4Motion

Performance

Variant	Power	0–62 mph	Top speed
W8 3BS	275 hp		155 mph

Body styles & production

Body styles	Saloon
Produced	1973–present

Trim levels

3BS

Factory colours

Schwarz Solida reef blue met.Dark Purple Metallicorixweiss metTitanium Beige MetallicDeep Ocean Blue SolidPure White SolidOrixweiss MetallicMittelgrau Solidfueller anthrazit/grau (u.hood)Carbon Steel Grey MetallicPure WhitePlatinum Gray MetallicDeep Black Pearl Metallic

History & notable variants

The W8 3BS is notable for its distinctive powertrain and luxurious features, marking it as a high-end offering within the Passat lineup. It was designed to compete with premium sedans from other manufacturers while maintaining Volkswagen's reputation for engineering excellence. No specific facelift or performance variants are mentioned for this model in the reference.

Reliability & owner notes

Pros: Unique W8 engine configuration, upscale features and luxury appointments
Cons: Higher cost compared to standard Passat models, limited production run
Common issues: No specific reliability issues mentioned for this model