1981 BMW 5 Series tire and wheel sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure

Bolt pattern 5x120 on every 1981 trim.

Tires for the 1981 BMW 5 Series

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

175/80R14 Best-rated standard on 7 trims · Europe

Check price on Amazon · 175/80R14
195/70R14 Best-rated standard on 6 trims · Europe, USA

Check price on Amazon · 195/70R14
175xR14 optional on 5 trims · Europe

Check price on Amazon · 175xR14

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Trims sold in 1981: 13
Generations: II (E28)I (E12) sold in 2 market versions
Other years: 1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
All years (1972–2026)

13 trims sold in 1981

Sold in 2 market versions with different tire sizes. 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 5 Series II (E28)

1981–1988 Europe 5 trims

5 Series 518 89 hp · M10B18 I4 195/70R14 91H 2 fitments

Generation: E28 · 1981–1988
Market: Europe
Power: 89 hp
Engine: M10B18 I4, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 195/70R14 Wheels 14x6 ET22 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
195/70R14 91H	Rim 14x6 ET22 5x120	29 psi
175x R14 92H	Rim 14x6 ET22 5x120	29 psi

How to read 91H: 91 is the load index (up to 1,356 lb / 615 kg per tire) and H the speed rating (up to 130 mph / 210 km/h). ET22 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres. Compare offsets in the wheel offset calculator.

5 Series 518i +3 variants 103 hp · M10B18 I4 195/70R14 91H 3 fitments

Same tires and wheels on: 520i, 525i, 528i

Generation: E28 · 1981–1988
Market: Europe
Power: 103 hp
Engine: M10B18 I4, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 195/70R14 Wheels 14x6 ET22 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
195/70R14 91H	Rim 14x6 ET22 5x120	29 psi
175x R14 92H	Rim 14x6 ET22 5x120	29 psi
195/70R14 91V	Rim 14x6.5 ET22 5x120	29 psi

BMW 5 Series I (E12)

1972–1981 8 trims

Europe

7 trims

5 Series 518 +6 variants 89 hp · M10B18 I4 175/80R14 87H 1 fitment

Same tires and wheels on: 520/6, 525, 528i, M535i

Generation: E12 · 1972–1981
Market: Europe
Power: 89 hp
Engine: M10B18 I4, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 175/80R14 Wheels 14x5.5 ET22 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
175/80R14 87H	Rim 14x5.5 ET22 5x120	29 psi

How to read 87H: 87 is the load index (up to 1,202 lb / 545 kg per tire) and H the speed rating (up to 130 mph / 210 km/h). ET22 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

USA

1 trim

5 Series 528i 167 hp · 2.8L M86 I6 195/70R14 1 fitment

Generation: E12 · 1972–1981
Market: USA
Power: 167 hp
Engine: 2.8L M86 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 195/70R14 Wheels 14x5.5 ET22 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
195/70R14	Rim 14x5.5 ET22 5x120	29 psi

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.