BMW 5 Series Tire Pressures

• The ideal BMW 5 Series tire pressures range from 27–42 PSI depending on your car's model and tire size.
• To find the ideal tire pressures to match your car's year, model, and chosen tires follow the link to our BMW 5 Series Tire Pressure Guides.

• Our recommended BMW 5 Series E12 tire is the 175 HR 14 Michelin XAS or the 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.
• Our recommended BMW 5 Series E28 tire is the 200/60 VR 390 Michelin TRX or 220/55 WR 390 Michelin TRX.

BMW 5 Series E12 Tires 1972–1981

E12 5 series BMW wheels were either 5.5J wheels or 6J wheels. BMW E12 with 5.5J wheels were fitted with 175 R14 tires. In this size the ideal BMW 5 series E12 tire is the 175 HR 14 Michelin XAS. BMW 5 Series E12 with 6J wheels were fitted with 195/70 R14 tires. In the 195/70 R14 size the ideal BMW 5 series E12 tire is the 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36.

Typically, the standard E12 5 Series BMW models, including the 518, 520, and 520i, were equipped with 175 HR 14 Michelin XAS tires. In contrast, the high-end models such as the 528i (1977–1981), and 535i (1980–1981), and M535i (1980–1981) were fitted with larger 195/70 R14 tires to match their higher specifications.

It is possible to fit a 175 HR 14 Michelin XAS tire onto a 6” wheel, or a 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 onto a 5.5” wheel, however, for optimal performance, we recommend using tires that match the original wheel size.

If you have the smaller 5.5J wheels, the 175HR14 Michelin XAS will work at its best. If you have BMW E12 6” wheels then the 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 will perform at its best, as tires operate best on a wheel that fits them properly.

According to available fitment data, most models were available with either wheel and tire combination, with the exception of the 528 and 528i, which exclusively fitted 195/70 R14 tires.

Our fitment guides suggest that some E12 cars (BMW 520/6 and 525) were available with 7" wheels in some markets. If you have a model with 7" wheels then we recommend the 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36, as the 175 HR 14 Michelin XAS is too small to stretch on the rim.

Fitment guides contradict one another as to the wheel type of the E12. Michelin claims that most E12 models fitted tubeless wheels, excepting the early 520i. Our Dunlop fitment guide lists many as fitting tube-type or tubeless wheels. If you want or require a tube, the correct BMW 5 Series inner tube for 175 R14 and 195/70 R14 tires is the Michelin 14F.

BMW 5 Series E28 Tires 1981–1988

Most early BMW E28 5 Series models with engines smaller than 3.5 litres originally came with 14-inch wheels. These were fitted with either steel wheels and 175 R14 tires or alloy wheels with 195/70 R14 tires. For these vehicles, we recommend using the 175 HR 14 Michelin XAS for the former tire size and the 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 for the latter, depending on the original tire size of your car. These sizes were increasingly phases out throughout the 80s in favour of low-profile, millimetric tires.

Starting in 1982, certain BMW E28 5 Series with 165TR millimetric wheels were offered as an optional upgrade, compatible with modern 200/60 R 390 or 190/65 R 390 tires, depending on the specific model. This millimetric wheel option was first available for the 518 (1981–1984), 518i (1981–1987), 520i (1981–1988), 525i (1981–1987), and 528i (1981–1987) models.

In these sizes the best BMW 5 Series E28 tires are the 190/65 HR 390 Michelin TRX and 200/60 VR 390 Michelin TRX, these were the original tires fitted, and they perform excellently on a E28 5-Series BMW.

If you have the millimetric BMW E28 165TR wheels, it is important that you fit millimetric sized tires, as 175 R14 or 195/70 R14 tires would not fit on a millimetric wheel.

The BMW 5 Series 528iSE and other non-535i cars optioned with metric wheels had 200/60 R390 tires and the 535i 5 Series had 220/55 R 390 rubber. In these sizes we recommend the 200/60 VR 390 Michelin TRX, and the 220/55 WR 390 Michelin TRX.

Our fitment guides indicate that as the 1980s progressed, more E28 models were equipped with modern millimetric wheels and tires. Most 528i (1981–1987), 535i (1985–1988), and M535i (1985–1988) models had millimetric wheels and 220/55 WR 390 Michelin TRX tires by the latter half of their production.

Today we are happy to have productions of the 190/65 HR 390 Michelin TRX, 200/60 VR 390 Michelin TRX, and 220/55 WR 390 Michelin TRX available. The Michelin TRX remains the top tire choice for the E28 BMW 5-Series, provided your vehicle is equipped with millimetric wheels.

BMW 5 Series E28 Wheels

While the millimetric BMW 5 Series wheels look and perform brilliantly, the tires were expensive in period. As a result many have had these wheels replaced by 15- or 16-inch alternatives with imperial tires.

If you do fit 15" tires, we can offer the 195/65 R 15 PIRELLI P6000 N. However, if BMW found 15" or 16" wheels and tires to be the best for the 5 series they would have fitted them as standard. We recommend switching back to the original 14" or 165TR wheels, and fitting an original and recommended tire.

A few BMW 5 Series fitted 230/55 R390 tires when 220/55 R390 tires where hard to find. This size is not currently made, if you have these tires we recommend switching back to 220/55 WR 390 Michelin TRX tires.

BMW 5 Series Alpina Tires

The E28 Alpina 5 series models were fitted with 7" front wheels and 205/55R16 tires, and 8" rear wheels with 225/50R16 tires. In these sizes the ideal BMW Alpina 5 Series tire is the 205/55YR16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 for the front and 225/50 YR 16 PIRELLI CINTURATO P7 for the rear.

BMW 5 series Alpina spec cars included the BMW Alpina B7 Turbo / 1, based on the BMW: 528i and 535i, produced between 1984 and 1987, the BMW Alpina B10 3,5, based on the BMW 535i, (1985–1987), and the BMW Alpina B7 Turbo / 1, based on the BMW 535i (1986–1987).

Alpina is closely associated with BMW, specialising in creating high-performance models of BMW vehicles, such as the E28 5 Series. Alpina's production is incorporated into BMW's assembly lines, but cars made by Alpina are marketed and registered under the Alpina brand, rather than BMW. However, an Alpina E28 is still effectively a BMW, as they can be serviced at any BMW dealership, where they are also fully warranted.

BMW 5 Series E12 518 Tires: The 518 was the most accessible model in the E12 5 Series lineup, equipped with a modest four-cylinder engine and a carburettor. It was designed to offer BMW's engineering and comfort at a more affordable price point, prioritizing fuel economy and reliability. – 175 HR 14 Michelin XAS (30/34)

BMW 5 Series E12 518i Tires: Introduced as an evolution of the 518, the 518i featured a fuel-injected four-cylinder engine. This upgrade aimed to enhance efficiency and performance, marking a step up from the base model while maintaining the series' commitment to accessibility. – 175 HR 14 Michelin XAS (30/34)

BMW 5 Series E12 520 Tires: The entry-level model at launch, the 520 used a four-cylinder engine with a carburettor, offering a balance between performance and economy. – 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 (30/33)

BMW 5 Series E28 518 Tires: The most basic model offered in select European markets, the 518 featured a four-cylinder engine with a carburettor, designed for efficiency and tax advantages. Sold in specific European markets to align with local tax categories. Utilized a four-cylinder engine with a carburettor for basic performance and efficiency. – 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 (28/34) or 190/65 VR 390 Michelin TRX or 200/60 VR 390 Michelin TRX (29/35)

BMW 5 Series E28 520i Tires: A mid-tier offering, the 520i was equipped with the smallest six-cylinder engine available, blending performance with economy. – 175 HR 14 Michelin XAS (29/30) or 195/70 VR 14 PIRELLI CINTURATO CN36 (30/33) or 200/60 VR 390 Michelin TRX (29/35) or 190/65 HR 390 Michelin TRX (29/35)