
Many popular and often sporty compact cars from the 1980s through the early 2000s, particularly from Honda, Acura, BMW, and Volkswagen, feature the 4x100 lug pattern. This specification, also called the bolt pattern, means the wheel has four lug nuts spaced evenly on a 100-millimeter diameter circle. If you're shopping for wheels for a car like a Honda Civic or a Mazda Miata, this is the crucial measurement you need to know.
While newer models have largely moved to larger patterns for performance and styling reasons, the 4x100 pattern remains incredibly common in the aftermarket wheel scene due to the enduring popularity of these vehicles. Here’s a table listing some of the most well-known models that use this pattern:
| Car Model (Examples) | Model Years (Approximate) | Notable Trims/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic / CRX | 1984 - 2000 | Includes Si models |
| Acura Integra | 1986 - 2001 | Except 1994+ GS-R/Type R |
| BMW 3-Series (E30) | 1984 - 1991 | 318i, 325e, 325i, M3 |
| Mazda Miata (NA, NB) | 1990 - 2005 | All first and second generations |
| Volkswagen Golf, Jetta (MK1-MK3) | 1975 - 1999 | Includes GTI models |
| Toyota Corolla / Geo Prizm | Late 80s - 2000 | Various generations |
| Nissan Sentra | 1982 - 1999 | Various generations |
| Saturn S-Series | 1991 - 2002 | SL, SC, SW models |
| Ford Escort (US) | 1991 - 2003 | And Mercury Tracer |
| Dodge/Plymouth Neon | 1995 - 2005 | First generation |
It's essential to verify the bolt pattern for your specific car's year and trim, as manufacturers sometimes made changes. The best way to confirm is to check your owner's manual, measure the pattern yourself (from the center of one stud to the center of the stud directly across from it), or use a reliable online vehicle database. This pattern's prevalence means you have a vast selection of OEM and aftermarket wheels to choose from for restoration, performance upgrades, or simply changing the look of your car.

Oh, that's easy. You're basically talking about the golden era of tuner cars. Think about the classic Honda Civics and Integras everyone modifies—they're all 4x100. Same with the first Miatas and old Volkswagen GTIs. It was the standard for small, lightweight front-wheel-drive cars and a few rear-wheel-drive ones like the BMW E30. If you have one of those, the wheel options are endless. Just double-check your exact model year before you buy anything.

From a parts perspective, the 4x100 bolt pattern is one of the most requested. It's a legacy pattern now, but it dominated the compact car segment for decades. When a customer comes in asking for wheels for a 90s Japanese coupe or a classic German sedan, this is almost always the specification we look up first. Its longevity means there's a healthy market for both original equipment and new aftermarket designs, making it easy to find something that fits both the car and the owner's budget.

I just went through this myself, looking for winter tires for my '97 Miata. The 4x100 pattern is super common, but you have to be careful. I almost bought wheels from a newer Civic, but the offset was wrong. Besides the bolt pattern, you need to confirm the center bore size and the offset to ensure a proper fit without rubbing. For my car, I found a great set of OEM wheels from a Saturn that bolted right on. Do your research on all the specs, not just the lugs.


