1988 BMW M5 tire and wheel sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure

Bolt pattern 5x120 on every 1988 trim.

Tires for the 1988 BMW M5

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

225/50R16 Best-rated standard on 1 trim · USA

Check price on Amazon · 225/50R16
235/45R17 front + 255/40R17 rear Best-rated standard on 1 trim · Europe

Check price on Amazon · 235/45R17 front Check price on Amazon · 255/40R17 rear
245/40R18 Best-rated optional on 1 trim · Europe

Check price on Amazon · 245/40R18

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Trims sold in 1988: 2
Generations: II (E34)I (E28) sold in 2 market versions
Other years: 1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
All years (1985–2027)

2 trims sold in 1988

Sold in 2 market versions with different tire sizes. Open a trim for its tire and rim sizes, bolt pattern and tire pressure.

BMW M5 II (E34)

1988–1995 Europe 1 trim

M5 M5 311 hp · S38B36 I6 235/45R17 93Z / 255/40R17 94Z 2 fitments

Generation: E34 · 1988–1995
Market: Europe
Power: 311 hp
Engine: S38B36 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 235/45R17 Check price on Amazon · 255/40R17 Wheels 17x8 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
Front235/45R17 93Z	Rim 17x8 ET20 5x120	39 psi
Rear255/40R17 94Z	Rim 17x9 ET22 5x120	39 psi
Front245/40R18 93Z	Rim 18x8 ET20 5x120	39 psi
Rear245/40R18 93Z	Rim 18x9 ET22 5x120	39 psi

BMW M5 I (E28)

1985–1988 USA 1 trim

M5 M5 256 hp · 3.5L S38B35 I6 225/50R16 92V 1 fitment

Generation: E28 · 1985–1988
Market: USA
Power: 256 hp
Engine: 3.5L S38B35 I6, Petrol
Center bore: 72.6 mm
Bolt pattern: 5x120
Thread: M12 x 1.5

Check price on Amazon · 225/50R16 Wheels 16x7.5 ET20 · 5x120 · 72.6 mm on Amazon

Tire size	Rim size and bolt pattern	Pressure, psi
225/50R16 92V	Rim 16x7.5 ET20 5x120	32 psi

How to read 92V: 92 is the load index (up to 1,389 lb / 630 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.

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.
Staggered: A wider tire on the rear axle than the front. Front-to-back rotation is not possible.
Thread size: Lug bolt or nut thread — needed when buying aftermarket fasteners.