BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) Wheel Lug Pattern, Offset & Rim Size Guide
The BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) features specific wheel lug patterns crucial for correct fitment and safety. The typical lug pattern for this model is a 5 × 120 mm pitch circle diameter (PCD). Ensuring the correct wheel lug pattern is fundamental to avoid mounting issues.\n\nOffset (ET) values for the E36 Cabrio usually range between ET25 and ET40, affecting wheel positioning relative to the fender and suspension components. The center bore is commonly 72.6 mm, matching the hub size for proper wheel centering.\n\nRim sizes vary depending on the production year and trim but commonly include 15-inch to 17-inch diameters, balancing aesthetic appeal with ride quality. Our year-sorted table delivers precise data to aid in choosing the right wheels for your BMW 3 Cabrio (E36), optimizing performance and style.
| Make / model / trim | Year | Tire | Rim width (in) | Rim diam. (in) | Bolt pattern | Offset ET | Bore DIA | Mounting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 318 i | 1999 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 320 i | 1999 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 323 i | 1999 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 328 i | 1999 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) M3 3.2 | 1999 | 225/45R16 | 7 | 16 | 5×120 | 38 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 318 i | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 320 i | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 323 i | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 328 i | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) M3 3.2 | 1998 | 225/45R16 | 7 | 16 | 5×120 | 38 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 318 i | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 320 i | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 323 i | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 328 i | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) M3 3.2 | 1997 | 225/45R16 | 7 | 16 | 5×120 | 38 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 318 i | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 320 i | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 323 i | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 328 i | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) M3 3.2 | 1996 | 225/45R16 | 7 | 16 | 5×120 | 38 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 318 i | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 320 i | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 323 i | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 325 i | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 328 i | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) M3 3.0 | 1995 | 225/45R16 | 7 | 16 | 5×120 | 38 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) M3 3.2 | 1995 | 225/45R16 | 7 | 16 | 5×120 | 38 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 318 i | 1994 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 320 i | 1994 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 325 i | 1994 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) M3 3.0 | 1994 | 225/45R16 | 7 | 16 | 5×120 | 38 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 320 i | 1993 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
| BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) 325 i | 1993 | 195/65R15 | 7 | 15 | 5×120 | 42 | 72.6 | M12*1,5 |
FAQ
- What is the standard lug pattern for the BMW 3 Cabrio (E36)?
- The standard wheel lug pattern for the BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) is 5 × 120 mm PCD.
- What offset (ET) should I look for when selecting wheels for the E36 Cabrio?
- Typical offset values range from ET25 to ET40, depending on the wheel and year model.
- What is the center bore size of BMW 3 Cabrio (E36) wheels?
- The center bore size is 72.6 mm, ensuring proper hub alignment.
Tire size calculatorShow
Compare two tire sizes — diameter, speedometer error, and clearance change.
| Size 1 | Size 2 | Diff | Diff(%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 25.0" | 25.4" | 0.5" | 1.89% |
| Width | 7.7" | 8.5" | 0.8" | 10.26% |
| Circumference | 78.4" | 79.9" | 1.5" | 1.86% |
| Profile height | 5.0" | 4.2" | -0.7" | -15.08% |
| Turnover per mile | 807 | 793 | 14 | -1.73% |
| Clearance | - | - | +0.2" | - |






Speedometer Error
(First wheel OEM size)
| Reading | 20 mph | 30 mph | 40 mph | 50 mph | 60 mph | 70 mph | 80 mph | 90 mph |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actual | 20.4 | 30.5 | 40.7 | 50.9 | 61.1 | 71.2 | 81.4 | 91.6 |
