13" Tires

[LHCTii]

With limited availability of 13" tires these days, is there a consensus on the best tire brand and series 165 R70-13.?

[adawil2002]

I run Vredestein Quatrac 5s on my 1600.  

[PaulTWinterton]

Ha!  Don't get me started!  

 

https://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/classic-car-tyres/bmw/2002.html  Might or might not still have free worldwide delivery.

 

A few FAQ threads on the subject.  

[Conserv]

A wide range of 13” tires remains available, from cheap to expensive ($38 to nearly $400 per tire), from (a.) makes-the-car-roll to (b.) high performance.
 

They’re not at the local Firestone store. In an internet age, I’m astonished at the persistence of the “no more 13” tires” myth, founded, I’m guessing, on a dearth of 13” choices at the local garage or Autozone. If you own a 48-year-old-car, you need to re-think where you buy your parts and supplies.

 

The standard ‘02 tire was 165/80R13, most U.S. ‘02’s arriving with the 165HR13 Michelin XAS (yes, a few U.S.-bound 1600-2’s snuck in before 1968 with bias-ply 6.00-13 tires). The XAS has been continuously available since 1968. I run them on my ‘73 tii and my ‘76.

 

Many owners, then and now, upgrade to a 185/70R13 size, which causes occasional conflicts (particularly with rims having a sub-optimal offset), but few owners today appear to care much about rubbing...

 

Other owners have moved to a 175/70R13, which is slightly undersized, but adequate, and generally creates no rubbing issues (but still might not fit in the spare tire well!).

 

Sizes such as 205/60R13, once common, have, indeed, become scarce. If you search on something like “13” tire”, you’ll find lengthy discussions, such as:

 

 

 

 

But, please, please, don’t ask Paul “How are those Pirelli CN36’s?” as he’ll probably start PM’ing you photos of his tires! ???

 

And, yes, there are at least 211 replies to the CN36 thread — not all of them by Paul... ?
 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

Edited May 11, 2020 by Conserv

[Gordon]

If you don't want to resort from ordering 13" Pirelli CN36 tyres from across the pond, the alternative is to upgrade to 14" or 15" tires for much better selection.  https://www.bmw2002faq.com/forums/topic/142446-tires-and-wheelrims-fitment-guide/

Now the purists hate me but I left 13" tires behind in the early 80's on my 02 and haven't looked back since.

[tech71]

Oh God no.... not again.?

[tech71]

1 hour ago, LHCTii said:

 is there a consensus on the best tire brand and series 165 R70-13.?

No consensus, just opinions, lots of opinions.

[Conserv]

On 5/5/2020 at 11:51 AM, Gordon said:

... Now the purists hate me but I left 13" tires behind in the early 80's on my 02 and haven't looked back since.

 

We don’t hate you, Gordon: we just love you a little bit less... ?

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

Edited June 15, 2020 by Conserv

[Buckeye]

Another option

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Vredestein&tireModel=Sprint+Classic&partnum=87VR3SC&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=BMW&autoYear=1976&autoModel=2002&autoModClar=

[Conserv]

8 minutes ago, Buckeye said:

Another option

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Vredestein&tireModel=Sprint+Classic&partnum=87VR3SC&vehicleSearch=true&fromCompare1=yes&autoMake=BMW&autoYear=1976&autoModel=2002&autoModClar=

As with most choices in the long list of 13” tires — excepting, of course, the CN36’s ? — the Vredestein Sprint Classics have received widely divergent reviews, from “love them” to “I’d never buy another set”. No tire is without some shortcomings, even if that shortcoming is simply excessive cost.

 

It really depends on how you drive, where you drive, how much you drive, your car’s nuances and modifications, and... how much you want to spend! Even the Michelin XDX 185/70VR13, currently $321 each from Longstone, gets dinged for its 10,000-mile life, despite its fabulous performance and its period-appropriate appearance.

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[Mike Self]

2 hours ago, Gordon said:

Now the purists hate me but I left 13" tires behind in the early 80's on my 02 and haven't looked back since.

It took me 20+ years to put together a set of factory alloys (this was long before the internet or availabliity from BMW Classic) so I'll be darned if they're gonna sit up in my garage attic gathering dust.  Same with those painstakingly masked and repainted "frosted sliver" wheel covers on my '69...

 

mike

[BarneyT]

I’m very happy with these vredestein sprint classic tires...

[tech71]

There is only one possible consensus here that I hope all can agree upon.. Your car, your choice!  Right?

[David Layton]

Thirteen, Shmirteen.... Look at the availability of 15"x 165 for my Triumph TR4a.  On that car I have the Vredestein Classics.  Very well suited for the old girl and her lever dampers.  On my tii, I have Koni sports, HR street, S&S, Factory alloys (from BMW Classic) and CN36's.  While the tii has a firm ride with little roll, the 70's era rubber is entertaining.  Interesting note, I have a late 'cross hair' speedometer (W=3.91) for the LSD and it is spot on per the local radar signs my community likes to post.  Hope to get an all black Modell 71 speedo set up with the W = 3.91 final drive.

[TobyB]

Quote

The XAS has been continuously crappy since 1968.

 

t

see?  we all have opinions.

 

Toyo still makes 13" RA1s and RSs....