What size tires were OE in 1973

[ssp2019]

In 1973, what size tires were OE on a base 2002 with optional Tii 13” alloy wheels?

175x60x13?

185?

165?

Right now, mine has the steel/hubcap with 165 and thinking of upgrading.

thanks in advance 

 

[Conserv]

This sort of information is available in any Owner’s handbook, or service manual (BMW or aftermarket), or through the search function.

 

165/80/13, whether 2002 or 2002tii.  And, more specifically, most U.S.-spec ‘02’s were delivered with 165HR-13 Michelin XAS tires.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

P.S. There was no such thing as a “tii alloy”. The early OEM alloy rims (all by FPS) were introduced in early 1971 as part of the Sport Paket for the new Touring model, the Touring models never being imported to the U.S. by BMW (photos attached). The early OEM alloys quickly became a factory option on all models, but it’s unlikely any U.S.-spec models were delivered Stateside with them: Hoffman Motors Corp. simply didn’t order them. So, in the U.S., the early OEM alloy rims became a dealer accessory or option. I would guess, however, that, percentage-wise, more tii owners bought them than non-tii owners. But the link to being a “tii alloy” is thus more in practice than in theory of intent.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 31, 2018 by Conserv

[Jim_75Sahara]

You beat Mike Self that time! Quick reply!

[ssp2019]

Ok thanks, great info. So, if you were to order a touring in EU back then with those wheels, or had a dealer install in USA at the time, they came with same size as you wrote? 165x80x13?

[Gordon]

7 hours ago, chago997 said:

Right now, mine has the steel/hubcap with 165 and thinking of upgrading.

thanks in advance 

 

Before you upgrade your wheels and tires, recommend you spend some time studying this thread before you open up your wallet.

 

[Conserv]

14 hours ago, chago997 said:

Ok thanks, great info. So, if you were to order a touring in EU back then with those wheels, or had a dealer install in USA at the time, they came with same size as you wrote? 165x80x13?

 

Yes, all 1600-2 through 2002tii models came with 165/80/13 tires, when they were equipped with radials.  Radial tires were an option on the earlier cars; they had bias-ply tires as standard equipment (6.00 S 13).  But from 1968 on (Mike S. probably has a more refined cut-off), it would be quite rare for an ‘02, and especially a U.S.-spec ‘02, to be fitted with bias-ply tires.

 

Attached below is a window sticker for a 1600-2, VIN 1562173, manufactured in January 1968.  You’ll notice that it has the radial tire option (“XAS tires $59.00”), which, in this, as in most cases of U.S.-spec cars ordered by Hoffman Motors Corp, includes Michelin XAS tires (in their 165HR-13 size).

 

The only ‘02 that received, from the factory, radial tires larger than 165/80/13 was the factory turbo, which received 185/70/13 tires from the factory.  The factory turbo was also the only ‘02 sub-model equipped with 5 1/2”-wide steel rims from the factory.  You could purchase the factory-option alloy rim upgrade for your turbo and receive 6”x 13” alloys, but you still got 185/70/13 tires!

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited April 1, 2018 by Conserv

[jgerock]

Steve- even though you posted the window sticker that clearly has the Auto Kennel logo on it, you should have given them credit as the source of the document.

[Conserv]

12 hours ago, jgerock said:

Steve- even though you posted the window sticker that clearly has the Auto Kennel logo on it, you should have given them credit as the source of the document.

 

Fixed, Jim, in my post!

 

I, wrongly, thought the large “AutoKennel” brand was sufficient.  Happy to emphasize the source.

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited April 1, 2018 by Conserv

[Mike Self]

7 hours ago, Conserv said:

Radial tires were an option on the earlier cars; they had bias-ply tires as standard equipment (6.00 S 13).  But from 1968 on (Mike S. probably has a more refined cut-off), it would be quite rare for an ‘02, and especially a U.S.-spec ‘02, to be fitted with bias-ply tires.

AFAIK all US spec 2002s came with radial tires--Semperit or Continental, unless you opted for the optional Michelin XAS's--a $59 option IIRC--and most of the cars Hoffman ordered had XAS tires--I think it was one of his "non-optional options like bumper guards, a tach, and the $2 chrome tailpipe trim.  

 

I belive that radial tires were standard equipment on all 2002s--someone from Europe probably knows more about this than I--but they were optional on at least the early (66, 67) 1600s, and possibly the early US spec 1600s that were introduced in 1968 (156xxxx VINs.)  And all the 2002s--except Turbos--came from the factory with 165/80 x 13 tires (SAE = 6.00 x 13).  

 

mike

[Conserv]

On 4/1/2018 at 3:27 PM, mike said:

 

....I belive that radial tires were standard equipment on all 2002s--someone from Europe probably knows more about this than I--but they were optional on at least the early (66, 67) 1600s, and possibly the early US spec 1600s that were introduced in 1968 (156xxxx VINs.)  And all the 2002s--except Turbos--came from the factory with 165/80 x 13 tires (SAE = 6.00 x 13).  

 

mike

 

Thanks, Mike,

 

The period literature supports this.  The first spec page illustrated below is from an April 1968 (“IV/68”) 2002-only brochure.  It specifies, for the 2002, which commenced production in January-ish 1968, “Tyres: 165 SR 13 radial ply (tubed)”.

 

The second spec page illustrated below is from a May 1968 (“V/68”) 1600/2002 brochure.  It specifies, for the 1600-2, “Tire size 6.000 — 13 (tubeless).  165 SR — 13 radialply tires (tubed) on special order.”  It specifies, however, for the 2002, “165 SR-13 radial-ply tires (tubed)”.

 

So, as you say, it is highly likely all 2002’s were factory equipped with radial tires, 165/80/13 being the size and “SR” being the standard speed rating (112 mph).  The optional XAS tires had an “HR” speed rating (130-mph).

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited April 6, 2018 by Conserv

[David Layton]

Semperit, that is a name I have not heard in a long, long time.  In the late 70's in college, I had a '68 with these.  After graduation in '81, I had a '72.  On it, I put on the late steel wheels (poor man's alloy') and eventually had Kleber 185/70's.  very good tire.

 

The project I picked last month is a 73 with e30 Bottlecaps with 195/65r14's.  Per the local BMW specialist, I should change the tires for 195/6014's and the '65's are .8" taller over all and likely to rub in the inner fenders when I lower the car to Euro-height.  The 195/60r14's are only 4/10 mm taller (razor thin)  than the old Klebers and 18.7mm (.73 inch) increased backset.  Bottle Caps have an offset of 35.

 

The 'Online Wheel and Tyre Fitment Calculator' referred to is definitely worth book marking on your browser.

[David Layton]

I should add that there are very few tires in 195/60r14.  I will be looking into using the same type on there, the General Tire AltiMax.  So, looking at a bit of mission creep.  Roughly $70 a corner at Tire Rack.

[golf73]

@Conserv It would've been nice if you had given document source credit for the period literature to Rinner-Klodt BMW Corporation!

[golf73]

chago977 wrote:

In 1973, what size tires were OE on a base 2002 with optional Tii 13” alloy wheels?

175x60x13?

185?

165?

Right now, mine has the steel/hubcap with 165 and thinking of upgrading.

thanks in advance

 

 

One thing that strikes me about this post is that why one would think moving to a larger tire than originally supplied is an "upgrade"?

 

[ssp2019]

3 hours ago, golf73 said:

chago977 wrote:

In 1973, what size tires were OE on a base 2002 with optional Tii 13” alloy wheels?

175x60x13?

185?

165?

Right now, mine has the steel/hubcap with 165 and thinking of upgrading.

thanks in advance

 

 

One thing that strikes me about this post is that why one would think moving to a larger tire than originally supplied is an "upgrade"?

 

Upgrading from steel wheels to alloy wheels. Read the post!