13" Tyres

[Curly]

I looked in FAQ and specs but only came up with 185/70/13.

I have had e21 323i in the past lowered 25-30mm on H and R springs and thought I used to run 205s ? maybe I am getting confused with other Bmws I have had .

In short is 185/70/13 the widest tyre I can run on 13" wheels ..........or please point me to the link if I have missed it .
Thanks Paul

[Curly]

Maybe answered my own question seems 13" tyres only readily avaliable up to 185 .

[AndyBaur]

Maybe 185/70 is the widest you can get now but I used to run 205/60 on my Opel Manta.

It's the width of the wheel that's important. A 185/70 will fit a 5.5" to 6" rim, 195/65 would do 6" - 6.5" & a 205/60 would do 6.5" - 7". However, as you say some of these sizes are no longer available.

Unless there is a specific reason for staying with 13" wheels I would suggest going to 14" or better still 15" which will give you a much wider choice.
My wife's 2008 Fiesta is running 195/50 tyres - the same size as fitted to the VW Corrado! How things move on

[Peter V.]

The reason that 185/70 is mentioned because it was the original tyresetup for the BMW E21 6 cylinder. It is that 13 inch tyres are difficult to buy nowadays, at least here in Holland. If you want a good brand of tyres then.

[AndyBaur]

Yes, 185/70 was standard on the 6 pots - an upgrade to the 165/80's fitted to lesser models with narrower (steel) wheels (same rolling circumference).

You can get wider 13" tyres - the Escort boys run much wider rubber on their MK1's & MK2's but they're typically semi-sport soft compound jobs.

Since he is wanting to stay on 13" (presumably for OEM reasons) then he is on 5.5" or 6" rims in which case wider rubber gives no advantage. If he is after more grip then it's a case of getting wider 13" rims (I always think Minilites with a deep dish look good) to make use of wider tyres.

If this is the case (no longer OE), why not just go to 14 or 15"?

[Curly]

Thanks fellas was staying on stock for now simply because I have a good set of bbs/mahle that I like . I will look for a 15" set . Thanks for the advice .
Paul

[Jeroen]

There are a few 206/60-13's still available, but most are for track use like Toyo R888(R) and Advan 048. Vredestein Classics more or less serve the same purpose, make the car eligible for classic racing regulations but just like Michelin Classics they are bl**dy expensive.

[Curly]

Will probably make do with the best branded 185s until I buy a set of 15" wheels .
Cheers Paul

[AndyBaur]

IIRC the BBS cross spokes ar 6" wide. 195 or 205 tyres won't make any noticeable difference to grip so don't worry about 185's. I got Toyo's from Camskill. They seem ok.

[Curly]

cheers Andy