How reliable is this fitment answer?

Confidence: Confirmed (3 of 3). Backed by a manufacturer document, or two or more independent sources agree on a specific checkable fact. Based on 2 cited source(s), last verified 2026-10-26.

What is the factory spec for the OEM E36 318/323/328 15-inch wheel (7Jx15 alloy or 6.5Jx15 steel, ET47) on a BMW 3 Series (E36, 1992-1999)?

Q: What is the factory spec for the OEM E36 318/323/328 15-inch wheel (7Jx15 alloy or 6.5Jx15 steel, ET47) on a BMW 3 Series (E36, 1992-1999)?

Factory specification. The 1998 US owner's manual lists 205/60R15 91H and 225/55R15 92V tires on 6.5Jx15 steel or 7Jx15 alloy wheels at ET47. On the 328 models the 6.5J steel wheel is listed only with M+S (winter) tires. The manual says modifications are needed before the larger sizes can be retrofitted to a car that did not have them. An enthusiast style list agrees on 15x7 ET47 with 205/60R15 for several E36 styles, but covers all markets. Tier 3 for 1998 only.

Added 2026-10-26 · Updated 2026-10-26

Short answer: Factory specification Confirmed

Verdict:Factory spec Confirmed confidence (3 of 3) · 2 sources

Factory specification: The 1998 US owner's manual lists 205/60R15 91H and 225/55R15 92V tires on 6.5Jx15 steel or 7Jx15 alloy wheels at ET47.

Years: 1998 · Applies to: 318i/is/ic, 323is/ic, 328i/is/ic (1998 owner's manual) · 2 sources · Last verified 2026-10-26

Safety-critical part. This spec is confirmed from manufacturer documentation (listed under Sources). Still check it against the factory service manual for your exact car, or have a qualified shop do or check the work.

Part	OEM E36 318/323/328 15-inch wheel (7Jx15 alloy or 6.5Jx15 steel, ET47)
Vehicle	BMW 3 Series (E36, 1992-1999)
Years	1998
Trim / condition	318i/is/ic, 323is/ic, 328i/is/ic (1998 owner's manual)
Verdict	Factory spec Specification
Confidence	Confirmed 3 of 3 — Backed by a manufacturer document, or two or more independent sources agree on a specific checkable fact.
Last verified	2026-10-26 (date the cited sources were last read)

Details

The 1998 US owner's manual lists 205/60R15 91H and 225/55R15 92V tires on 6.5Jx15 steel or 7Jx15 alloy wheels at ET47. On the 328 models the 6.5J steel wheel is listed only with M+S (winter) tires. The manual says modifications are needed before the larger sizes can be retrofitted to a car that did not have them. An enthusiast style list agrees on 15x7 ET47 with 205/60R15 for several E36 styles, but covers all markets. Tier 3 for 1998 only.

Specs

bolt pattern: 5x120
centerbore mm: 72.6
size: 15x7 alloy / 15x6.5 steel
offset mm: 47
tire: 205/60R15 91H or 225/55R15 92V

Other wheels fitment for the E36

OEM E36 318i sedan steel wheel (6Jx15 ET42, 185/65R15) — Specification Factory spec
OEM E36 318/323/328 sport wheel (7Jx16 alloy ET45/46, 225/50ZR16) — Specification Factory spec
Factory E36 318ti wheel (15x6 ET42, 185/65R15) — Specification Factory spec
OEM E36 M3 Style 22 wheels (17x7.5 ET41, square, 1995) — Specification Factory spec
OEM E36 M3 Style 39M wheels (17x7.5 / 17x8.5 ET41, staggered, 1996-99) — Specification Factory spec
OEM E36 M3 sedan Style 23 wheels (17x7.5 / 17x8.5 ET41) — Specification Factory spec

More for this car

All BMW 3 Series (E36, 1992-1999) fitment answers · E36 common problems
Newsletter archive: past issues with every new and corrected entry

Sources

1998 BMW 318i/318is, 323is/323ic, 328i/328is/328ic Owner's Manual (US) — BMW AG (complete manual PDF hosted by bmwsections.com) (mfr spec; read 2026-10-26; full page read)
BMW E36 wheel style numbers and specs — BIMMERtips (enthusiast site) (editorial; read 2026-10-26; full page read)
Styles 6/10/13/14/28: 15x7 ET47, 205/60R15 (worldwide).

Summaries are in our own words. Fitment is not guaranteed — disclaimer.

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