General Hubcentric & Bolt Pattern Question

[rsiwicki]

Just curious as to why some manufacturers use a 5x120 & others use a 5x114 bolt pattern? Also why the different hubcentric sizes? It does not make sense to me why the differences except just to be different and not allow swapping of wheels from one car brand to another easily....thanks inadvance for your input as it will help to ease my wheel shopping frustration when I find a wheel I like but it is in the 5x120 pattern only.

[hannibal]

Well 5x114 is a pretty common bolt pattern, so its not that bad. BMW, Benz, and VW's use some weird bolt patterns.

I guess every manufacturer just thinks they know the best (=cheapest) method to making wheels.