BMW OEM-Style 2-Piece Gunmetal Mesh Riveted Polished Lip Forged Wheels
2-Piece · Gunmetal
2004 BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 Wheels & Rims: Bolt Pattern, Offset & Sizes
Fitting BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 wheels? This page gives the 2004 BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 bolt pattern (5x120), centre bore, factory rim size and the offset range for aftermarket and forged BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 rims: the same spec sheet ANKUSI uses when machining forged wheels for this car.
Quick answer: The 2004 BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 uses a 5x120 bolt pattern with a 72.6 mm centre bore and M12x1.5 lug bolts. Factory wheels: 16x7.0J, front and rear. For aftermarket wheels, 17x8.0J ET35 front / 17x9.0J ET40 rear sits flush and 18x8.5J ET32 front / 18x9.5J ET35 rear is the most aggressive fit.
Forged wheels for the 2004 BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 — drilled 5x120 with a 72.6 mm centre bore, built to the offset you choose. From $220 per wheel, made to order in 20–25 days.
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BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 (2004): 5x120 bolt pattern, 72.6mm center bore. Factory wheels: 16x7.0J F/R. Reference fitment ranges.
Bolt Pattern5x120
Wheel Bolt/NutM12x1.5 Bolt
Center Bore72.6mm
Wheel Load Rating650–750 kg/wheel (Standard Passenger Car segment reference)
Year2004
CategoryConvertible
✓ Data check: the bolt pattern and center bore on this page match an independent fitment reference. Last reviewed September 18, 2026. How we verify
Wheel Size & Offset at a Glance
| Configuration | Wheel Size & Offset |
|---|---|
| Factory (OE) | 16x7.0J F/R |
| Flush Fitment | F 17x8.0J ET35 / R 17x9.0J ET40 |
| Maximum Aggressive | F 18x8.5J ET32 / R 18x9.5J ET35 |
Forged Wheel Designs for the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46
Every design below is forged to order, so it can be machined to the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46's 5x120 bolt pattern and 72.6 mm center bore, with the width and offset calculated for your setup.
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BMW OEM-Style Frozen Gold 763M-Style Y-Spoke Forged Wheels
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APEX-Style Brushed Silver 5 Split-Spoke Forged Wheels
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Black / Gold 2-Piece Directional Machined Face Forged Wheels
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Avant Garde-Style Mirror Polished 5 Y-Spoke Forged Wheels
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BMW OEM-Style Black / Machined 5 Y-Blade Forged Wheels
Monoblock · Gloss Black
How to Read Wheel Offset & Measurements
Use these two references before ordering: the left diagram shows where each spec (PCD, center bore, offset, width and diameter) is measured on the wheel; the right diagram shows how positive, zero and negative offset shift the wheel face relative to the hub centerline.
ANKUSI Engineering Expert Advice
Convertibles lose some of the structural rigidity a fixed roof provides, which means the suspension and wheels end up doing more of the work to keep the chassis composed. A forged wheel keeps unsprung mass down without sacrificing the strength margin the factory built in — useful on a platform that's already managing extra flex.
The BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 runs a 5x120 bolt pattern, 72.6mm center bore, and a 16x7.0J, front and rear, wheel from the factory. Our Flush Fitment reference is F 17x8.0J ET35 / R 17x9.0J ET40, which tucks the tire under the fender lip on a stock-height BMW 318Ci Convertible E46. Our Maximum Aggressive reference is F 18x8.5J ET32 / R 18x9.5J ET35 — beyond that offset, expect rubbing against the inner fender liner under compression without further trimming.
BMW 318Ci Convertible OE Wheel Specs
The 2004 BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 (Convertible) uses a 5x120 bolt pattern with a 72.6mm center bore. Factory wheels are 16x7.0J F/R.
Why the factory spec works for most owners:
- Matches the chassis tuning used to help offset reduced structural rigidity
- Balances ride comfort with the sportier character typical of this body style
- Keeps unsprung weight low for stable handling
- Maintains clearance for the factory brake package and suspension components
ANKUSI builds these wheels — we are the forging factory, not a reseller. For the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 (2004) we drill the 5x120 pattern and cut the centre bore to 72.6mm on our own CNC line, so the wheel hub-centres on the car with no spacer rings, in whatever diameter, width and offset you specify.
Converting these ET figures to backspacing? Use the wheel offset and backspacing calculator.
The figures on this page are part of our open wheel fitment dataset — 10,093 vehicles, free to download, CC BY 4.0.
Offset & Backspacing Reference
Backspacing is calculated as wheel width (in) ÷ 2 + offset (mm) ÷ 25.4 + 0.5 (flange allowance):
- OE: 16x7.0J ET47 → ~5.85″ backspacing
- Flush: F 17x8.0J ET35 → ~5.88″ F backspacing, R 17x9.0J ET40 → ~6.57″ R backspacing
- Max: F 18x8.5J ET32 → ~6.01″ F backspacing, R 18x9.5J ET35 → ~6.63″ R backspacing
Want to check a different width or offset before you order? Use our Offset & Backspacing Calculator to solve the numbers yourself, or looking for your exact BMW spec, or want a wheel built to a custom offset for your BMW 318Ci Convertible E46? Contact ANKUSI with your bolt pattern and offset target and we will confirm the correct forged wheel spec for your build.
Vehicles With the Same Hub as the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 (5x120, 72.6 mm Bore)
In our database, 338 other vehicle entries from 10 makes use exactly the same 5x120 bolt pattern and 72.6 mm center bore. Factory wheels from these cars bolt on and center on the hub without rings; offset and width still have to be checked.
5x120 is used by 10.3% of the vehicle pages in our English fitment guide (670 of 6,503); 50.6% of those also use a 72.6 mm center bore.
Hub-Centric Rings for a 72.6 mm Center Bore
A wheel with a center bore larger than 72.6 mm needs a hub-centric ring. The most common combinations:
| Wheel bore | Ring size |
|---|---|
| 73.1 mm | 73.1 → 72.6 mm |
| 74.1 mm | 74.1 → 72.6 mm |
| 76.1 mm | 76.1 → 72.6 mm |
| 78.1 mm | 78.1 → 72.6 mm |
ANKUSI forged wheels are bored to exactly 72.6 mm for this vehicle, so no ring is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bolt pattern (PCD) does the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 use?
The 2004 BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 uses a 5x120 bolt pattern.
How many lug bolts does the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 use?
The BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 uses a 5-lug bolt pattern (5x120), so you need a 5-lug forged wheel to bolt straight on.
What is the center bore size on the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46?
The BMW 318Ci Convertible E46's center bore is 72.6mm. If an aftermarket wheel has a larger center bore than this, hub-centric rings are recommended so the wheel centers on the hub itself rather than relying on the lug bolts alone.
What size are the factory (stock) wheels on the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46?
Factory wheels on the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 are 16x7.0J F/R.
What is the biggest wheel size I can fit on my BMW 318Ci Convertible E46 without rubbing?
The most aggressive fitment we recommend without fender work is F 18x8.5J ET32 / R 18x9.5J ET35. Going beyond this typically causes rubbing under compression unless you roll the fenders or add camber correction.
What does a flush wheel fitment look like on the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46?
For a flush look with minimal to no rubbing, we recommend F 17x8.0J ET35 / R 17x9.0J ET40 as a starting point on a stock or mildly lowered BMW 318Ci Convertible E46.
Do I need wheel spacers for my BMW 318Ci Convertible E46?
No. ANKUSI forges each wheel to your exact target offset, including the flush or max specs above, so you get the correct fitment without stacking spacers. Spacers are typically only used to push out an existing OE-offset wheel without replacing it, which isn't necessary when you're ordering a custom-offset forged wheel.
How do I calculate wheel backspacing for my BMW 318Ci Convertible E46?
Backspacing (in inches) = wheel width (in) ÷ 2 + offset (mm) ÷ 25.4 + 0.5 (flange allowance). For example, the flush spec above works out to roughly 5.88" backspacing up front and 6.57" in the rear.
What's the difference between wheel offset and backspacing?
Offset is the distance in millimeters from the wheel's true centerline to its mounting face (positive offset pulls the wheel in, negative pushes it out). Backspacing is the distance in inches from the mounting face to the back edge of the wheel barrel. They describe the same fitment from two different reference points, which is why ANKUSI lists both above — some shops and tuning guides quote offset, others quote backspacing.
Can I run staggered wheels (different sizes front and rear) on my BMW 318Ci Convertible E46?
Yes — the BMW 318Ci Convertible E46's factory and our recommended flush/max fitments already use staggered sizing (different width front and rear), and ANKUSI can forge matching staggered sets to your target offsets.
Wheel Installation Reference: Torque, Thread & TPMS
Thread & Fastener: M14x1.25, 60-degree conical-seat lug bolt.
Factory Torque Spec: 140 Nm (103 ft-lb). Consistent across modern BMW passenger and X-series models using factory conical-seat bolts.
TPMS: Vehicles built before the 2008 model year were not federally required to carry factory TPMS in the US, though many manufacturers adopted it earlier; verify whether your specific build has TPMS before ordering sensor-compatible wheels.
Tire Pressure: Always set tire pressure to the value on your vehicle's tire placard (driver's doorjamb or glovebox), not the max PSI printed on the tire sidewall — this is trim- and tire-size-specific and stays the same reference point when you switch to a different wheel and tire combination.
Reference data compiled from published OEM service specifications and cross-checked against independent repair sources; always confirm against your owner's manual or door-jamb placard before installation.
Sources and Last Update
Data checked against: avtoreference.com.
This record is part of the open ANKUSI Wheel Fitment Dataset (DOI 10.5281/zenodo.23241521, CC BY 4.0).
Other cars on the same factory size: 16x7 wheels · 16 inch wheels.
Compiled by the ANKUSI Wheels engineering team, an IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 certified forged wheel factory in Guangzhou.