18-inch square road and track
- Front and rear
- 18 × 9.5 inch, ET22 · 265/35 R18
Use the E39-specific 74.1 mm version. Apex notes that wide-running tyres may need 3 mm front spacers; some aftermarket suspension reduces inner clearance.
1995–2003 · saloon and estate
BMW 5 Series / M5 E39 wheel fitment
The E39 needs wheels with its unusually large 74.1 mm centre bore. Road builds often retain BMW staggered wheels, while square 18-inch setups are used to increase front tyre width.
5x120 bolt pattern · 74.1 mm centre bore · Stock wheels: 16 × 7, 17 × 8, 18 × 8, 18 × 9.5 inch · Stock tyres: 225/55 R16, 235/45 R17, 245/40 R18, 275/35 R18
Updated 2026-10-04 · High source confidence. Check your exact trim and market. How we check specs
Quick specs
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Bolt pattern | |
| Stock tyre sizes | |
| Centre bore | 74.1 mm |
| Fastener and thread | Wheel bolt, M12x1.5 |
| Tightening torque | 120 Nm (confirm in your handbook) |
Stock wheels and tyres
Factory options vary by trim and market. Match your car to the row below and check its tyre placard before using it as a baseline.
| Trim | Axle | Wheel | Tyre |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Series, 16-inch alloy package, excluding M5 | Front and rear | 16 × 7 inch, ET20 | 225/55 R16 |
| 5 Series, 17-inch alloy package | Front and rear | 17 × 8 inch, ET20 | 235/45 R17 |
| M5, Style 65 | Front | 18 × 8 inch, ET20 | 245/40 R18 |
| M5, Style 65 | Rear | 18 × 9.5 inch, ET22 | 275/35 R18 |
Explained in our guides
Read these before choosing wheels for the 5 Series / M5: they explain the offset, fitment and hub numbers in this guide.
- Wheel offset explained: choosing ET without guessingUnderstand positive and negative wheel offset, calculate inner clearance and outer position, and choose an ET using measurements from your own car.
- Flush, poke and tucked fitment: measure the whole tyreUnderstand flush, poked and tucked wheels, calculate how width and offset change the look, and check clearance beyond a parked side-on photograph.
- Staggered vs square wheels: tyres, rotation and AWDCompare square and staggered wheel setups, calculate front-to-rear tyre diameter, and understand rotation limits and all-wheel-drive requirements.
Popular community setups
Starting points for a build. Read the notes with each setup, especially if your car is lowered or has different brakes.
18-inch wider square track
- Front and rear
- 18 × 9.5 inch, ET22 · 275/35 R18
Requires at least 3 mm front spacers, increasing to 5 mm for wider tyre models. Lowered cars may need more negative front camber. Check for rubbing at full steering lock.
Width and offset guidance
Offset range
Check the exact setup
There is no confirmed range for this car yet. Compare a known wheel with your proposed size and measure both sides.
Common width limit
Measure before ordering
A maximum width has not been confirmed. Tyre shape, ride height and alignment all change the available space.
These figures belong to the setups described here. Combining the widest wheel with either end of the offset range does not guarantee a safe fit. For how ET moves the wheel in and out, read wheel offset explained; for how far the tyre can sit out, see flush, poke and tucked fitment.
Clearance notes
- Most other 5x120 BMW wheels have a smaller 72.6 mm bore and will not seat on E39 hubs. A centring ring cannot enlarge a wheel bore.
- The 275 square setup is more demanding than the 265 setup and is not an unconditional bolt-on recommendation.
- Stock examples are representative packages; estate, engine and brake variants must be checked against the car specification.
- Check full steering lock and suspension travel with the car loaded. Match wheel load rating, tyre load and speed ratings, fastener seats and brake clearance.
See it on your car.
Upload a photo and start with a look that suits the 5 Series / M5. Try the wheels, colour and stance before you spend on parts.
An AI preview shows the look. It cannot verify physical fitment.
Run the numbers
These tools start with the 5 Series, 16-inch alloy package, excluding M5 front size. Choose your own trim or axle in the calculator if it differs.
Questions
What is different about the E39 centre bore?
It is 74.1 mm, larger than the nominal 72.6 mm bore of most contemporary BMW passenger cars.
What wheels did the E39 M5 use?
Style 65 wheels measure 18x8 ET20 front and 18x9.5 ET22 rear, with 245/40 R18 and 275/35 R18 tyres.
Can an E39 use a square track setup?
Yes. Apex documents 18x9.5 ET22 with 265/35 R18 tyres all round. Front spacers may be needed for wider-running tyres or certain suspension kits.
What is the BMW 5 Series / M5 E39 bolt pattern?
5x120, with a 74.1 mm centre bore and M12x1.5 wheel bolts. Check the exact model year and market in the guide.
What size tyres does the BMW 5 Series / M5 E39 have?
Factory tyre (tire) sizes for the 1995–2003 BMW 5 Series / M5 E39 are 225/55 R16, 235/45 R17, 245/40 R18 and 275/35 R18, depending on trim, with wider rears on staggered setups. Your tyre placard shows the size for your car.
What wheel size does the BMW 5 Series / M5 E39 use?
Factory wheels are 16 × 7 inch, 17 × 8 inch, 18 × 8 inch and 18 × 9.5 inch, depending on trim. The stock table lists the offset for each.
What is the BMW 5 Series / M5 E39 wheel bolt torque?
120 Nm (about 89 lb-ft) for the original bolts. Confirm in your handbook, especially with aftermarket wheels or bolts.
Specs checked against
- Apex E39 fitment guide
- Apex E39 M5 fitment guide
- BMW hub, bolt pattern and thread table
- BMW E39 factory 17-inch wheel table
- E39 M5 original wheel specifications
- BMW E39 repair specification
- E39 hardware cross-check
- BMW E39 factory 16-inch wheel table
This guide is a starting point, not a fitment guarantee. Specs can differ by market, trim and previous modifications. Confirm all sizes, clearances and fastener requirements with a qualified wheel and tyre professional before buying or fitting parts.
Related cars
More guides from BMW or cars with the same bolt pattern. A matching pattern alone does not make a wheel interchangeable.