1978 BMW 3 Series tire and wheel sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure

Bolt pattern 4x100 on every 1978 trim.

Tires for the 1978 BMW 3 Series

Sizes most trims come with first. Open your trim below for its exact size.

185/70R13 Best-rated standard on 6 trims · Europe, USA

Check price on Amazon · 185/70R13

Best tires for the 1978 BMW 3 Series

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Trims sold in 1978: 6
Generation: I (E21) sold in 2 market versions
Other years: 1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
All years (1975–2026)

Best tires for the 1978 BMW 3 Series

6 trims sold in 1978

Sold in 2 market versions. Open a trim for its tire and rim sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure. Trims with the same tires and wheels share a row.

BMW 3 Series I (E21)

1975–1983 6 trims

Europe

5 trims

3 Series 316 +4 variants 89 hp · M10B16 I4 185/70R13 86H 1 fitment

Same tires and wheels on: 318, 320, 320i, 323i

Generation: E21 · 1975–1983
Market: Europe
Power: 89 hp
Engine: M10B16 I4, Petrol
Center bore: 57.1 mm
Bolt pattern: 4x100
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 185/70R13 Wheels 13x5.5 ET25 · 4x100 · 57.1 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
185/70R13 86H	Rim 13x5.5 ET25 4x100	28 psi

How to read 86H: 86 is the load index (up to 1,168 lb / 530 kg per tire) and H the speed rating (up to 130 mph / 210 km/h). ET25 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres. Compare offsets in the wheel offset calculator.

USA

1 trim

3 Series 320i 109 hp · 2.0L M10B20 I4 185/70R13 1 fitment

Generation: E21 · 1975–1983
Market: USA
Power: 109 hp
Engine: 2.0L M10B20 I4, Petrol
Center bore: 57.1 mm
Bolt pattern: 4x100
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 185/70R13 Wheels 13x5.5 ET25 · 4x100 · 57.1 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
185/70R13	Rim 13x5.5 ET25 4x100	–

What these columns mean

Rim size: Rim diameter × width in inches, and the factory offset (ET) in millimetres, e.g. 18x7.5 ET25.
Bolt pattern (PCD): Number of studs and the diameter of the circle they sit on. It must match exactly.
Center bore: Diameter of the hub hole. Larger aftermarket bores need hub-centric rings.
Pressure: Recommended cold inflation pressure for that axle, in psi.
Thread size: Lug bolt or nut thread — needed when buying aftermarket fasteners.