BMW 3 (E36) Tire Sizes and Rim Dimensions by Model Year and Trim
The BMW 3 (E36), produced from 1990 to 2000, offers varying tire sizes and rim dimensions depending on the model year and trim. Common tire markings include widths from 195 to 225 mm with aspect ratios ranging between 45 and 60, combined primarily with rim diameters between 15 and 17 inches.\n\nEntry-level trims typically feature narrower rims, such as 6.5J×15 or 7J×15, paired with 195/60R15 or 205/55R15 tires, while sportier trims and later model years often come equipped with wider rims like 7J×16 or 7.5J×17, supporting 205/50R16 or 225/45R17 tires.\n\nWhen comparing trims, note that rim width and diameter directly impact tire compatibility and handling characteristics. Always refer to manufacturer recommendations to ensure correct tire-to-rim fitment, especially when upgrading or replacing tires across different E36 trims.
| Make / model / trim | Year | Tire size | Wheel |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 3 (E36) 316 i | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 i | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 is | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 tds | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 320 i | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 323 i 2.5 | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 td | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 tds | 1998 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 328 i | 1998 | 205/60R15 | 7" × 16" |
| BMW 3 (E36) M3 3.2 | 1998 | 225/35R19 | 7.5" × 19" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 316 i | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 i | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 is | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 tds | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 320 i | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 323 i 2.5 | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 td | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 tds | 1997 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 328 i | 1997 | 205/60R15 | 7" × 16" |
| BMW 3 (E36) M3 3.2 | 1997 | 225/35R19 | 7.5" × 19" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 316 i | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 i | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 is | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 tds | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 320 i | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 323 i 2.5 | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 td | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 tds | 1996 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 328 i | 1996 | 205/60R15 | 7" × 16" |
| BMW 3 (E36) M3 3.2 | 1996 | 225/35R19 | 7.5" × 19" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 316 i | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 i | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 is | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 tds | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 320 i | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 323 i 2.5 | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 i | 1995 | 205/60R15 | 7" × 16" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 td | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 tds | 1995 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 328 i | 1995 | 205/60R15 | 7" × 16" |
| BMW 3 (E36) M3 3.0 | 1995 | 225/35R19 | 7.5" × 19" |
| BMW 3 (E36) M3 3.2 | 1995 | 225/35R19 | 7.5" × 19" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 316 i | 1994 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 i | 1994 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 is | 1994 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 320 i | 1994 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 i | 1994 | 205/60R15 | 7" × 16" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 td | 1994 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 tds | 1994 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) M3 3.0 | 1994 | 225/35R19 | 7.5" × 19" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 316 i | 1993 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 i | 1993 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 is | 1993 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 320 i | 1993 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 i | 1993 | 205/60R15 | 7" × 16" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 td | 1993 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 tds | 1993 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 316 i | 1992 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 i | 1992 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 320 i | 1992 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 i | 1992 | 205/60R15 | 7" × 16" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 td | 1992 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 316 i | 1991 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 i | 1991 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 320 i | 1991 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 i | 1991 | 205/60R15 | 7" × 16" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 td | 1991 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 316 i | 1990 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 318 i | 1990 | 195/65R15 | 7" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 320 i | 1990 | 195/65R15 | 6.5" × 15" |
| BMW 3 (E36) 325 i | 1990 | 205/60R15 | 7" × 16" |
For bolt pattern (PCD), offset ET, center bore, and mounting details, open the bolt pattern page for BMW 3 (E36).
FAQ
- What tire size is common for the BMW 3 (E36) base models?
- Base models usually come with 195/60R15 or 205/55R15 tires on 6.5J×15 or 7J×15 rims.
- Can I use 17-inch rims on any E36 trim?
- 17-inch rims are typically found on sportier trims and later model years; verify fitment before upgrading rims.
- How do rim width and diameter affect tire selection on the E36?
- Rim width and diameter determine the tire sizes compatible with your vehicle, influencing handling and safety.
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 |
