Original tire size

[BimmerSooner]

What was the original tire size for a '72tii? Anyone know?

The brochure I have says 165 HR-13, but I'm curious as to the diameter of the tire. Was it 165 70? 165 80?

Thanks!

[DanOKC]

A search of the forum pulled up this:

From the Coker Classic Tire web site (www.cokertire.com):

165HR13 MICHELIN XAS BLACKWALL #17245

Size: 165HR13

Overall Diameter: 23.20

Cross Section: 5.80

Tread Design: XASFF

Requires tube

Rim Diameter: 13

Details:

Weight 31.00 lbs

Size Full 165HR13

Price: $ 139.00

So if you REALLY wanted to be original, you still can...

-Dave

Colorado '71

Date: 2-16-05 08:38

From: dlhoovler

Subject: Which calculates out to a theoretical 78.5 aspect ratio.(nt)

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

(nt)

[Paul7002]

(nt)

[Harv]

When a tire (tyre) comes in a size like 165/13 it is just understood that it has an aspect ratio of 80%. That would be a 165/80/13. in this case the 165 denotes the tread with, as in 165mm.

If you want to convert to inches devide by 25.4 (I think) you would get 6.49 inches wide.

Now, 80% of that is the height of the side wall. So, 6.49X.80=5.19 That is the height of the side wall.

Now if you double that and add the rim size you will get the diameter of the tire. 5.19+5.19+13=23.4

John

[Napes]

John, you get a gold star in the middle of your forehead.

Bob Napier

[clc]

speaking of stock tii tire sizes, were the 5.5" steel wheels stock on tii's or an option?

I've been under the impression that they were stock on early tii's but not the later ones like my '74.

[SteveJ]

There are other, less costly options for the stock 165/80-13 tires.

Of course, you may end up with a brand like Nankang, like I did, but I have been enjoying the heck out of these skinny tires. Yes, they don't grip like some A032R's, but those tall sidewalls sure do eat up the bumps on rough roads. No need to slow down. :^)

The stock early 02s came with 4 1/2 x 13 wheels, the tii's came with 5 x 13 wheels.

[dlhoovler]

...as far as I know. Early tiis ('72-'73) had wider versions of the early carbed rims (4.5X13) that took the same full wheel covers. There's an Opel rim that is identical to these early tii rims with the exception of the valve stem placement. My dad put a set on our car when it was nearly new; I still have 'em but am running 14" 2000CS rims now.

With the square-taillight change, all '02s got the 5X13 styled steel rims with small center caps standard--carb and tii used the same rims. I think the stainless trim rings were optional.

Stock tire size was 165R13 tires on all 2002s, with "S" rating usually standard on carbed cars but "H" standard on tiis and an option on carbys. Most came with Michelin XASes as far as I know, but I've also heard of Continentals from the factory. Early 1600s came with 6.00X13 bias-ply tires, if you're more interested in originality than driving manners. Due to the vagarities of BMW manufacturing and importing at the time, there may have been any number of exceptions to this.

Now, the factory (optional) alloys are another matter that I know less about. I'm not sure, but I think the early-style were 5X13 and the later bottlecapish style were either 5 or 5.5X13, with a 6X13 variant for the Turbo. Turbos also had different stock tires--I think 185/70HR13.

-Dave

[ingraham]

(nt)