Knowing the bolt pattern of your car is crucial as it allows you to know how your wheels are secured to your car using log bolts or lug nuts. Therefore, having the ideal bolt pattern ensures that the wheels on your car fit snuggly. But what cars have the same bolt pattern as BMW?
BMW wheel bolt pattern
First and foremost, BMW comes with a bolt pattern of 5X120 or 5X4.72 inches. Cars with a similar bolt pattern include Acura, Bentley, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, JAC, Land Rover, Lexus, MINI, Opel, Rolls-Royce, Tesla, Toyota, and Volkswagen.
In total, there are over 168 car models with a bolt pattern of 5X120. BMW has the largest collection of cars with a bolt pattern of 5X120. BMW has 24 car models with this bolt pattern. However, it is followed closely by JAC with 12, BYD with 9, and then Land Rover and Volkswagen have 8 car models.
Nonetheless, it is also important to note that some older BMW models have a bolt pattern of 4X100. Such models include the 1979 to 83 BMW 320 & 323 and the 1992 to 08 BMW 318, 323, 325, 328, and 330 models. However, most of these models are no longer in production and are hard to find on the market.
Additionally, 2009 or later G01 7-Series uses a bolt pattern of 5X112. This means that all G-Chassis BMWs use the 5X112 bolt pattern, which has the same number of lug bolts but with an 8mm tighter circle than the traditional BMW bolt pattern.
What other features do I have to consider to ensure that the wheel fits properly?
Aside from looking at the bolt pattern of a car, you also have to consider its stud size, hub center bore, and offset. If all of these features are the same, then your car’s wheel will fit easily without any modification. But if not, then you may have to make a few modifications to the wheel for it to fit properly.
How do I measure the wheel bolt pattern?
Measuring a wheel bolt pattern is very easy. Start by checking whether the wheel has an odd or even number of lugs. If it’s an even number, measure from center to center on lugs directly across from one another.
On the contrary, if the wheel has an odd number of lugs, then you should measure it from the center of one lug to the outmost edge of the hole diagonally across it.
What is wheel offset?
Wheel offset is the range between the mounting surface of the wheel to the true centerline of the rim. Note the offset can be zero, positive, or negative. However, most BMWs come with a positive offset. If the offset is positive, the mounting surface of the wheel is usually located in front of the true centerline of the rim.
On the other hand, if the offset is negative, the mounting surface will be located behind the true centerline of the rim. As a result, it makes the tire stick out away from the car.
BMW lug pattern
| BMW Model | OEM wheel size | Lug pattern | Stud size | Offset | Hub/center bore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW X3 – 2004-2020 | 17″-20″ | 5 x 4.72″ | 12×1.5 | H | 72.56 |
| BMW X5 – 2000-2006 | 17″-24″ | 5 x 4.72″ | 14×1.5 | H | 72.6 |
| BMW X5 – 2007-2013 | 17″-24″ | 5 x 4.72″ | 14×1.25 | H | 74.1 |
| BMW X5 – 2014-2018 | 18″-21″ | 5 x 4.72″ | 14×1.25 | H | 74.1 |
| BMW X5 2019-2020 | 18″-21″ | 5 x 4.4″ | 14×1.25 | H | 66.6 |
| BMW 3-Series – 1992-2020 (318/325/328/330) | 15″-20″ | 5 x 4.72″ | 12×1.5 | H | 72.56 |
How you can measure the bolt pattern on your BMW
FAQ
Can you put aftermarket wheels on a BMW?
Yes, you can put aftermarket wheels on your BMW. However, this is not advisable and very dangerous. This is because putting aftermarket wheels that are not designed for a BMW makes the car unsafe. Additionally, these wheels can make some parts of the car wear out faster than normal wheels.
If you place the wrong aftermarket wheels on your car, parts like suspension and brakes will wear out faster. Besides, making aftermarket wheels is complex. This is because things like offset, load rating, brake caliper clearance, and size all have to be compatible with your car.
Does BMW use lug bolts?
Yes, BMW and many other European cars use lug bolts. This is because lug bolts are safer at high speeds. Additionally, these bolts have fewer parts, making the installation of wheels much easier. What’s more, BMWs come with 17mm lug bolts, which fit perfectly, so, you don’t have to purchase extra sockets.
Does BMW use the same bolt pattern as Mercedes and Audi?
Yes, BMW uses the same bolt pattern as Mercedes and Audi. However, they don’t use the most common BMW bolt pattern, which is the 5X120mm bolt pattern, but the 5X112mm bolt pattern. Therefore, this means that only a select few wheels can be fitted from BMW to Audi or Mercedes.
What is the offset on BMW wheels?
All BMWs come with a positive offset. This implies that the mounting pad is offset towards the outside of the wheel as opposed to the inside of the wheel, which is also referred to as negative offset. Aside from BMW having a positive offset, some models may have a high offset or low offset.
A high offset implies that there is a huge space between the wheel mounting surface and the centerline, while a low offset implies that the wheel will be more outside than inside of the car. Note that the BMW 1 and 3-Series cars usually have a high offset, while the BMW 5, 6, and 7-Series normally have a lower offset.
Additionally, it is normal for most aftermarket BMW wheels to feature low offset to push the wheels to be flush with the bodywork.
How can I make my BMW look sportier?
The first and easiest way to make your BMW look sportier is by acquiring the BMW M Sport Package. This accessory package changes the look of your car from normal to sporty. Another way is by changing several parts, such as taillights, grille, wheels, and bumpers.
Final thoughts
There are over 168 car models with the same bolt pattern as BMW. These include Acura, Bentley, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Honda, Hyundai, JAC, Land Rover, Lexus, MINI, Opel, Rolls-Royce, Tesla, Toyota, and Volkswagen. All of these cars have a bolt pattern of 5X120mm.
However, some old BMW models have a bolt pattern of 4X100, and others have a bolt pattern of 5X112mm. BMWs with a bolt pattern of 5X112mm can also fit on Audi, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen cars. Before placing any wheels on your BMW from another car, you should ensure they have the same bolt pattern.
