1996 BMW 5 Series tire and wheel sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure

Bolt pattern 5x120 on every 1996 trim.

Tires for the 1996 BMW 5 Series

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

225/60R15 Best-rated standard on 15 trims · optional on 6 · Europe, USA, Japan

Check price on Amazon · 225/60R15
225/55R16 Best-rated standard on 6 trims · optional on 15 · Europe, Japan, USA

Check price on Amazon · 225/55R16
205/65R15 Best-rated standard on 2 trims · optional on 16 · Europe, USA

Check price on Amazon · 205/65R15

Also listed: 235/45R17 235/40R18 195/65R15

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Trims sold in 1996: 23
Generations: IV (E39)III (E34) sold in 3 market versions
Other years: 1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
All years (1972–2026)

23 trims sold in 1996

Sold in 3 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 IV (E39)

1995–2004 11 trims

Europe

8 trims

5 Series 520i +2 variants 148 hp · 2.0L M52B20 I6 225/60R15 96V 7 fitments

Same tires and wheels on: 523i, 525tds

Generation: E39 · 1995–2004
Market: Europe
Power: 148 hp
Engine: 2.0L M52B20 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 74.1 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/60R15 Wheels 15x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 74.1 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/60R15 96V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 5x120	29 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
225/55R16 95V	Rim 16x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 94V	Rim 17x8 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 94Y	Rim 17x9 ET26 5x120	36 psi
235/40R18 98Z	Rim 18x9 ET24 5x120	29 psi

How to read 96V: 96 is the load index (up to 1,565 lb / 710 kg per tire) and V the speed rating (up to 149 mph / 240 km/h). ET20 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 523i Touring 168 hp · 2.5L M52B25 I6 225/60R15 94V 5 fitments

Generation: E39 · 1995–2004
Market: Europe
Power: 168 hp
Engine: 2.5L M52B25 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 74.1 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/60R15

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/60R15 94V	Rim 5x120	29 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x6.5 ET18 5x120	29 psi
225/55R16 95V	Rim 16x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 94V	Rim 17x8 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 94W	Rim 17x9 ET26 5x120	29 psi

How to read 94V: 94 is the load index (up to 1,477 lb / 670 kg per tire) and V the speed rating (up to 149 mph / 240 km/h).

5 Series 525td 114 hp · 2.5L M51D25 I6 · Diesel 205/65R15 94V 7 fitments

Generation: E39 · 1995–2004
Market: Europe
Power: 114 hp
Engine: 2.5L M51D25 I6, Diesel
Center bore: 74.1 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 205/65R15 Wheels 15x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 74.1 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
225/60R15 96V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 5x120	29 psi
225/55R16 95V	Rim 16x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 94V	Rim 17x8 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 94Y	Rim 17x9 ET26 5x120	36 psi
235/40R18 98Z	Rim 18x9 ET24 5x120	29 psi

How to read 94V: 94 is the load index (up to 1,477 lb / 670 kg per tire) and V the speed rating (up to 149 mph / 240 km/h). ET20 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

5 Series 528i 190 hp · 2.8L M52B28 I6 225/55R16 95V 7 fitments

Generation: E39 · 1995–2004
Market: Europe
Power: 190 hp
Engine: 2.8L M52B28 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 74.1 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/55R16 Wheels 16x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 74.1 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/55R16 95V	Rim 16x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 5x120	29 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
225/60R15 96V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 94V	Rim 17x8 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 94Y	Rim 17x9 ET26 5x120	36 psi
235/40R18 98Z	Rim 18x9 ET24 5x120	29 psi

How to read 95V: 95 is the load index (up to 1,521 lb / 690 kg per tire) and V the speed rating (up to 149 mph / 240 km/h). ET20 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

5 Series 535i +1 variant 232 hp · 3.5L M62B35 V8 225/55R16 94V 5 fitments

Same tires and wheels on: 540i

Generation: E39 · 1995–2004
Market: Europe
Power: 232 hp
Engine: 3.5L M62B35 V8, Petrol
Center bore: 74.1 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/55R16

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/55R16 94V	Rim 5x120	29 psi
225/60R15 96V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 94V	Rim 17x8 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 94W	Rim 17x9 ET26 5x120	35 psi
235/40R18 98Z	Rim 18x9 ET24 5x120	36 psi

How to read 94V: 94 is the load index (up to 1,477 lb / 670 kg per tire) and V the speed rating (up to 149 mph / 240 km/h).

Japan

3 trims

5 Series 525i (E-DD25) 168 hp · 256S I6 225/60R15 96V 1 fitment

Generation: E39 · 1995–2004
Market: Japan
Power: 168 hp
Engine: 256S I6, Petrol
Center bore: 74.1 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/60R15 Wheels 15x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 74.1 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/60R15 96V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi

5 Series 528i (E-DD28) 190 hp · 286S I6 225/55R16 95V 1 fitment

Generation: E39 · 1995–2004
Market: Japan
Power: 190 hp
Engine: 286S I6, Petrol
Center bore: 74.1 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/55R16 Wheels 16x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 74.1 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/55R16 95V	Rim 16x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi

5 Series 540i (E-DE44) 282 hp · 448S V8 225/55R16 94V 1 fitment

Generation: E39 · 1995–2004
Market: Japan
Power: 282 hp
Engine: 448S V8, Petrol
Center bore: 74.1 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/55R16 Wheels 16x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 74.1 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/55R16 94V	Rim 16x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi

BMW 5 Series III (E34)

1988–1997 12 trims

Europe

9 trims

5 Series 518g Touring +6 variants 114 hp · M43B18 I4 Petrol- · LPG 225/60R15 95V 3 fitments

Same tires and wheels on: 518i Touring, 520i Touring, 525i Touring, 525td Touring, 525tds Touring, 530i Touring

Generation: E34 · 1988–1997
Market: Europe
Power: 114 hp
Engine: M43B18 I4 Petrol-, LPG
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/60R15 Wheels 15x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/60R15 95V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	32 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	32 psi
225/55R16 95V	Rim 16x7 ET20 5x120	33 psi

5 Series 525iX Touring 189 hp · M50B25 I6 225/55R16 95V 3 fitments

Generation: E34 · 1988–1997
Market: Europe
Power: 189 hp
Engine: M50B25 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/55R16 Wheels 16x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/55R16 95V	Rim 16x7 ET20 5x120	33 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	32 psi
225/60R15 95V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	32 psi

5 Series 540i Touring 282 hp · M60B40 V8 225/60R15 95V 4 fitments

Generation: E34 · 1988–1997
Market: Europe
Power: 282 hp
Engine: M60B40 V8, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/60R15 Wheels 15x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/60R15 95V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	32 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	32 psi
225/55R16 95V	Rim 16x7 ET20 5x120	33 psi
235/45R17 97Z	Rim 17x9 ET22 5x120	39 psi

USA

3 trims

5 Series 525i Touring +1 variant 189 hp · 2.5L M50B25 I6 225/60R15 95V 3 fitments

Same tires and wheels on: 530i Touring

Generation: E34 · 1988–1997
Market: USA
Power: 189 hp
Engine: 2.5L M50B25 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/60R15 Wheels 15x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/60R15 95V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	32 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	32 psi
225/55R16 95V	Rim 16x7 ET20 5x120	33 psi

5 Series 540i 282 hp · 4.0L M60B40 V8 205/65R15 91V 5 fitments

Generation: E34 · 1988–1997
Market: USA
Power: 282 hp
Engine: 4.0L M60B40 V8, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 205/65R15 Wheels 15x7 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
205/65R15 91V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
195/65R15 91H	Rim 15x6.5 ET20 5x120	29 psi
205/65R15 94V	Rim 15x6.5 ET20 5x120	29 psi
225/60R15 94V	Rim 15x7 ET20 5x120	29 psi
235/45R17 97Z	Rim 17x9 ET22 5x120	39 psi

How to read 91V: 91 is the load index (up to 1,356 lb / 615 kg per tire) and V the speed rating (up to 149 mph / 240 km/h). ET20 is the wheel offset: how far the mounting face sits from the rim centre, in millimetres.

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.