BMW 320i & 320iA Tires

BMW 320i & 320iA models in the 1977, 1978, and 1979 range use 185/70R13 tires. That is the only listed size across the full model group, and all available products for it are built for 13-inch rims. The fitment is entirely radial in construction, with several period-style and performance-oriented options in the same basic size.

That consistency makes selection easier than on many collector cars, but it is still smart to check the wheels actually fitted to the car today. Many older BMWs have seen wheel swaps over time, so the sidewall marking and wheel diameter should be confirmed on the car itself before you choose among the available 185/70R13 options.

The 185/70R13 size used on BMW 320i & 320iA models is a metric radial size. The 185 is the tire’s nominal section width in millimeters, the 70 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 70 percent of the section width, and the R identifies radial construction. The 13 at the end is the wheel diameter in inches.

Knowing how to read the code helps you compare tires that may carry extra speed or load markings without changing the core fitment. A tire marked 185/70R13, 185/70VR13, or 185/70R13 with service descriptions still belongs to the same basic size family, so the key first checks are the 185 width, 70-series profile, and 13-inch rim diameter.

BMW 320i & 320iA models in this year group use 13-inch rims with the listed 185/70R13 tire size. Every available tire option in this fitment is built around a 13-inch rim diameter. Some products also list recommended rim width ranges, including spans such as 4.5 to 6.0 inches and 5.0 to 6.5 inches.

Rim diameter is the non-negotiable measurement, so that should be confirmed before anything else. Rim width matters too because it affects how the tire sits and performs, especially on a sporty chassis like the 320i, so a car wearing non-original wheels should be checked carefully before settling on a specific tire series.

BMW 320i & 320iA tires in 185/70R13 are available in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles. Blackwall choices appear across several radial series, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial is also offered in redline and 2-inch whitewall form. All of these options share the same basic fitment size and 13-inch rim diameter.

Blackwall is the most natural visual fit for a late-1970s German sport sedan, especially if the goal is a factory-like appearance. Redline and wide whitewall versions create a more custom or period-personalized look, so the right choice depends less on fitment and more on whether the car is being presented as stock, personalized, or show-oriented.

Five brands are represented in the available BMW 320i & 320iA tire offerings: BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands cover seven total product options in the 185/70R13 size, with multiple blackwall radials plus redline and wide whitewall variations. The product mix ranges from touring-style collector radials to more sporting classic performance tires.

Brand choice usually comes down to how the car will be used and how closely you want the appearance to match your vision for the car. A driver-focused 320i may lean toward a sporting blackwall radial, while a period-custom presentation may favor the BFGoodrich sidewall options even though the core size remains the same.

BMW 320i & 320iA tires are available in several radial series, including BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial, Avon CR6ZZ, Dunlop SP Sport Aquajet, Dunlop Sport Classic, Michelin XDX-B, and Vredestein Sprint Classic. All share the same 185/70R13 basic fitment, but they differ in styling, service markings, and intended character. Some emphasize a classic appearance, while others carry a more performance-oriented visual and naming profile.

The practical choice comes down to whether the car is a judged restoration, a weekend road car, or a vintage BMW driven for feel. Sidewall appearance, rim width compatibility, and the overall personality you want from the car are often just as important as the brand name when choosing among these series.

A BMW 320i & 320iA should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires kept away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Clean concrete is acceptable, but long-term exposure to moisture, petroleum products, or electric motors and chargers should be avoided. Tires should be kept at appropriate inflation so the sidewalls are not left supporting the car in an underinflated condition.

If the car sits for extended periods, moving it slightly from time to time helps reduce flat-spotting and concentrated sidewall loading. Owners storing the car for a full season often benefit from checking pressure monthly and making sure the car is not parked with excessive weight on one corner from uneven flooring or suspension issues.

Tires on a BMW 320i & 320iA should be inspected before regular road use and again after any long storage period. Look for cracking, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, weathering around the bead and sidewall, and any sign that the tire is losing air. On a collector car, age and storage conditions matter as much as tread depth.

A practical routine is a visual check before each drive, a pressure check at least monthly, and a more thorough inspection at the start of each driving season. Because these BMWs are light, responsive cars, even small tire issues can affect steering feel and braking balance, so early detection is worth the effort.

Tires on a BMW 320i & 320iA should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, or structural deterioration appears, even if the tread still looks usable. Collector-car tires often age out before they wear out, especially on vehicles that see occasional fair-weather driving. Visible weather checking, vibration that cannot be balanced out, or repeated air loss are all strong replacement signals.

The key point is that tread depth alone does not tell the full story on an older specialty tire. Checking the tire’s age and overall condition as part of annual service is a smart habit, particularly on a BMW that is expected to deliver precise road manners rather than simply hold air and roll.

BMW 320i & 320iA models in this range are covered here by the 185/70R13 size, and the available offerings are all radial tires. Several radial series are represented, including blackwall sporting styles as well as redline and wide whitewall variations. That gives a clear size direction, but not a single universal appearance choice for every restoration goal.

Owners aiming for strict authenticity should compare the car’s current wheels and any surviving reference material against the 185/70R13 fitment, then choose the sidewall style that best matches the intended presentation. Marque clubs, period photos, and original paperwork remain the best references when deciding how a specific car should look in judged settings.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely influence how a BMW 320i & 320iA is judged or valued, especially when the car is presented as an original-style restoration. Size, sidewall treatment, and overall stance all affect whether the car looks right for its era. A late-1970s BMW on the correct 185/70R13 size will present far more convincingly than one wearing an obviously mismatched modern fitment.

Judging standards vary, so the importance of sidewall style may differ between concours, marque events, and enthusiast gatherings. Even when formal judging is not the goal, getting the size and visual profile right helps preserve the balanced look and road character that make the 320i attractive to collectors.

BMW 320i & 320iA tires in this fitment are available in blackwall, redline, and wide whitewall styles. For a restoration that aims to reflect the late-1970s sporting character of the model, blackwall is usually the most era-appropriate visual choice. Redline and wide whitewall options are available, but they represent a more personalized look than a typical stock presentation.

The right answer depends on what kind of restoration you are building. A factory-style car generally calls for restraint in sidewall appearance, while a period-custom build may intentionally use redlines or whitewalls to capture a specific owner-driven style from the era rather than strict showroom authenticity.

The listed BMW 320i & 320iA tires are modern radial products built in the correct 185/70R13 fitment, so they are intended for road use when they are properly mounted, inflated, and matched to sound wheels. Safety still depends on the overall condition of the tires, the age of the individual tire, and the mechanical condition of the car. A correct-size tire cannot compensate for bent wheels, worn suspension parts, or poor alignment.

Before regular road driving, make sure the tires are free of age-related cracking, hold pressure correctly, and are installed on wheels that match the required 13-inch diameter. A freshly recommissioned 320i should also have its brakes, steering, and alignment checked so the tires can perform as intended.

Before driving a BMW 320i & 320iA, check inflation pressure, visible sidewall and tread condition, wheel security, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. Because the fitment is a low-profile-for-the-era 185/70R13 radial, even small deviations in pressure or alignment can affect how the car tracks and responds. Any vibration, pulling, or sudden change in steering feel deserves attention before a longer drive.

A quick pre-drive routine helps preserve both safety and the driving character these BMWs are known for. If the car has been parked for weeks or months, inspect more carefully for flat spots, dry cracking, and air loss, then ease back into use rather than heading straight onto the highway.

A BMW 320i & 320iA should be driven at speeds appropriate to the condition and service rating of the specific tire fitted, not simply to the car’s capability. Several available 185/70R13 tires carry performance-oriented markings, but safe speed always depends on proper inflation, tire age, wheel condition, and the overall state of the suspension and brakes. An old but unworn tire should never be treated like a fresh one.

For collector-car use, the smart approach is to build speed gradually and judge the car by how stable and composed it feels. If there is any vibration, wandering, or heat buildup, back off and inspect the car rather than assuming the issue will clear up with more driving.