1981 BMW 3 Series tire and wheel sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure

Bolt pattern 4x100 on every 1981 trim.

Tires for the 1981 BMW 3 Series

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

185/70R13 Best-rated standard on 8 trims · Europe, USA

Check price on Amazon · 185/70R13

Best tires for the 1981 BMW 3 Series

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Trims sold in 1981: 8
Generation: I (E21) sold in 2 market versions
Other years: 1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
All years (1975–2026)

Best tires for the 1981 BMW 3 Series

8 trims sold in 1981

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 8 trims

Europe

6 trims

3 Series 315 +5 variants 74 hp · M10B16 I4 185/70R13 86H 1 fitment

Same tires and wheels on: 316, 318i, 320, 320i, 323i

Generation: E21 · 1975–1983
Market: Europe
Power: 74 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.

USA

2 trims

3 Series 320i +1 variant 99 hp · 1.8L M10B18 I4 185/70R13 1 fitment

Same tires and wheels on: 320is

Generation: E21 · 1975–1983
Market: USA
Power: 99 hp
Engine: 1.8L M10B18 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.