13" tire group buy

[Conserv]

58 minutes ago, Tom P said:

I'd be interested in a new set of 13" tires to fit a recently acquired/reconditioned set of BBS Mahle wheels.  

 

Not sure of the best dimensions needed.   Would want the tires to be more more performance and less stock oriented.  

 

Contact Tom at:  motoring<at>sbcglobal<dot>net

 

Assuming they are BBS Mahle mesh rims, and not simply mesh-style rims, they are 6” wide, ET13.  185/70 should be your starting point, as in, for example, Pirelli Cinturato CN36 185/70 VR 13.  But you should be ready to, possibly, roll your front fender lips to avoid rubbing — I’m assuming, for now, that you don’t have fender flares.  205/60 would be great on a 6” rim but I fear that your rims, if ET13, will make matters worse, particularly in the front (ET 26-ish is often optimal).

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

[MikeD]

On 2/5/2018 at 8:21 PM, Conserv said:

 

There’s been discussion lately that Michelin has re-introduced the tubeless version of the 165HR13 XAS.  But I haven’t yet heard from anyone who has actually obtained a set of the tubeless version.  Anyone?

 

The XAS was introduced in ‘65 as a tube-type tire, but a tubeless version appeared, as best as I can recall, in the mid-‘70’s.  The tubeless version was never factory equipment on 2002’s, even my ‘76 came with tube-type XAS’s.  After the tubeless version appeared, however, I immediately switched to the tubeless version because, even in the late ‘70’s, when tire shops were more accustomed to tube-type tires than today, tube-type tires were a nuisance.

 

Since the late 1980’s, however, when Michelin transferred production of the XAS from their general tire production to their Michelin Passion division (predecessor name of the current Michelin Classic division), only the tube-type 165HR13 has been produced.

 

I am eager to see the tubeless version once again! But I also note that the Michelin Classic website, although it shows tubeless versions of some other XAS sizes, does not yet show a tubeless version of the 165HR13.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

Steve...My 74tii came with tubeless XAS tires.  I still have the original spare tire and it is tubeless.

[Conserv]

2 hours ago, MikeD said:

 

Steve...My 74tii came with tubeless XAS tires.  I still have the original spare tire and it is tubeless.

 

Thank you, Mike,

 

So BMW must have either sporadically used the tubeless version, or perhaps went through a period (periods?) when tubeless were used in lieu of tube type, returning to tube type tires in 1975-76.  Do you have your car’s window sticker, per chance?  Does it have a line item “FEDERAL EXCISE TAX ON TIRES AND TUBES” or does it, more correctly for your car, say “FEDERAL EXCISE TAX ON TIRES”?  I’ve not yet come across a window sticker of any year that omits the “AND TUBES” language, and I partly relied on that language in concluding, now incorrectly, that the tube type was ubiquitous across the model years.

 

Below, a 1974’s window sticker, illustrating the “AND TUBES” language.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited February 20, 2018 by Conserv

[MikeD]

8 hours ago, Conserv said:

 

Thank you, Mike,

 

So BMW must have either sporadically used the tubeless version, or perhaps went through a period (periods?) when tubeless were used in lieu of tube type, returning to tube type tires in 1975-76.  Do you have your car’s window sticker, per chance?  Does it have a line item “FEDERAL EXCISE TAX ON TIRES AND TUBES” or does it, more correctly for your car, say “FEDERAL EXCISE TAX ON TIRES”?  I’ve not yet come across a window sticker of any year that omits the “AND TUBES” language, and I partly relied on that language in concluding, now incorrectly, that the tube type was ubiquitous across the model years.

 

Below, a 1974’s window sticker, illustrating the “AND TUBES” language.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

Steve.....The amount of detailed knowledge you have on our cars in incredible.  I have looked at my windows sticker hundreds of times and never saw that before.  My window sticker does in fact have "Tires and Tubes" listed but I can tell you that my XAS's that came with the car were tubeless.  I am the original owner and my spare tire is original.  Never used.  After reading your post I asked a friend of mine if his 74tii had tube type tires and he told me the same thing.  His had tubeless XAS's also.  He too has the original spare.  Maybe the dealer did something but I am not sure why.

 

Mike

 

[Conserv]

7 hours ago, MikeD said:

 

Steve.....The amount of detailed knowledge you have on our cars in incredible.  I have looked at my windows sticker hundreds of times and never saw that before.  My window sticker does in fact have "Tires and Tubes" listed but I can tell you that my XAS's that came with the car were tubeless.  I am the original owner and my spare tire is original.  Never used.  After reading your post I asked a friend of mine if his 74tii had tube type tires and he told me the same thing.  His had tubeless XAS's also.  He too has the original spare.  Maybe the dealer did something but I am not sure why.

 

Mike

 

 

Thank you, Mike,

 

We may never know the whole story.  If I recall — I suppose I need to pore through some mid-‘70’s Roundels — a tubeless XAS cost slightly more than a tube type XAS plus a tube.   But installing a tube type XAS might have involved slightly more labor.  So why did they generally stick with the tube type, generally enough that the line item “...AND TUBES” was the rule, even though tubeless XAS’s were sometimes installed?  Interrupted supplies of tube type XAS’s?  I have no real idea.

 

Don’t be drivin’ on that 44-year-old XAS...ya hear? ?

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited February 21, 2018 by Conserv

[yeewiz]

13 hours ago, MikeD said:

 

Steve...My 74tii came with tubeless XAS tires.  I still have the original spare tire and it is tubeless.

 

and my 74 non-tii also came with tubeless XAS'.  I also have my original spare.  Here's a shot from a couple of hours ago:

 

[72pdx02]

Pirelli CN36 size 185 or 175/70/13 I didn't know this size was a option. https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/175-70vr13-pirelli-cinturato-cn36.html

Edited March 10, 2018 by 72pdx02
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[grotflo]

Any updates on this group buy?  Seems like there's a wide range of suggestions, is there a size or two that seem likely?

[PaulTWinterton]

Last I heard from Blunt was it is a dead issue.  Suppliers too difficult.  

 

Longstone worked well for me and others.