BMW 700 Tires

BMW 700 uses three tire sizes across the 1960 to 1966 production run: 5.60-12, 520-12, and 5.50-12. Both 5.60-12 and 520-12 appear from 1960 through 1966, while 5.50-12 appears from 1961 through 1966. All three are 12-inch tire sizes, so the wheel diameter stays the same even though the nominal section widths differ.

That overlap means year alone does not always identify the correct tire for a BMW 700. The most reliable approach is to compare the car’s existing tire markings, wheel size, and original fitment references before choosing among the three listed sizes. If the car has been restored, confirm that the current wheels match the intended configuration rather than assuming the fitted tires are original.

On a BMW 700, 520-12 is a period numeric bias-ply size. The 520 indicates a nominal section width of 5.20 inches, and the 12 identifies a 12-inch rim diameter. The available products in this size are bias-ply tires, including blackwall and 2.00-inch whitewall versions, and one listed option specifies a 4-inch rim width.

Modern buyers sometimes expect a code like this to behave like a metric radial size, but it is an older bias-ply designation and should be treated accordingly. If your BMW 700 is meant to use 520-12, match the tire to the wheel and use the period-style fitment hardware the tire requires. That is especially important on compact early-1960s cars where a small size difference can affect clearance and appearance.

A 1961 BMW 700 can show 5.60-12, 520-12, and 5.50-12 because more than one size was used within that model year. All three share the same 12-inch rim diameter and all are bias-ply type sizes, so the split is not a wheel-diameter change or a bias-versus-radial divide. It points instead to differences in configuration within the BMW 700 range.

That means a 1961 BMW 700 owner should identify the specific body style or trim level before selecting a tire. Existing tire markings can help, but they are not always conclusive on a restored car. Original owner literature, period photos, or marque-club guidance are the better tie-breakers when more than one same-diameter size appears for the same year.

BMW 700 sizes in this fitment range are period numeric bias-ply sizes, and the listed products are bias-ply construction. For these bias-ply applications, a tube is required. That applies especially to the currently available 520-12 products, which are offered as classic bias-ply tires rather than modern tubeless radials.

Tube use matters because the tire, tube, and wheel need to work as a matched assembly on a collector car. If your BMW 700 still wears original-style wheels, make sure the wheel condition and the tube setup are suitable before the new tire is mounted. It is also good practice to inspect the inside of the wheel for rust, burrs, or damage that could shorten tube life.

A 1960 BMW 700 is associated with two sizes: 5.60-12 and 520-12. Both fit 12-inch wheels, so the deciding factor is not rim diameter but the specific configuration of the car and the intended period-correct setup. Reading the existing sidewall may help if the car has long retained the same wheels and tire specification.

For a 1960 BMW 700, the safest approach is to compare the current fitment with factory literature, restoration records, or marque-specialist guidance before making a choice. Do not assume that one 12-inch size is interchangeable with another just because the wheel diameter matches. On a small car like BMW 700, section width differences can affect stance, steering feel, and overall visual correctness.

BMW 700 tire listings currently show two sidewall styles in 520-12: blackwall and wide whitewall. The blackwall version is a BFGoodrich bias-ply, and the whitewall version is also a BFGoodrich bias-ply with a 2.00-inch white stripe. Both are built in the same basic size and construction family.

Choosing between them comes down to the look you want for the specific BMW 700. A blackwall generally suits a restrained, factory-like small-car appearance, while a wide whitewall creates a stronger period custom or dress-up effect. If originality matters, compare your car’s trim, market presentation, and restoration goal rather than selecting a sidewall style purely by preference.

Current BMW 700 product coverage in the listed fitment range shows BFGoodrich as the available brand. The two available tires are both 520-12 bias-ply models within the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply family, offered in blackwall and wide whitewall styles. No additional brands appear in the present product set for this model page.

That makes size confirmation even more important, because product availability is narrower than the full spread of BMW 700 fitment sizes. If your car uses 520-12, you have a clear period-style brand and sidewall choice. If your car is meant to use 5.50-12 or 5.60-12, verify the intended fitment first so you do not judge availability by the wrong size family.

A BMW 700 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, electric motors, ozone sources, and petroleum contamination. Keep the tires properly inflated for storage, and if the car will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally or use methods that reduce prolonged flat-spotting. Clean, stable floors are better than damp ground or bare soil.

Because BMW 700 uses small period-style bias-ply sizes, storage habits have a noticeable effect on ride quality and service life. Long stationary periods can leave temporary or lasting flat spots, especially if inflation is neglected. Owners who rotate the car’s position, maintain inflation, and keep the tires out of harsh environmental exposure usually preserve both the appearance and the drivability of the fitted tires better.

Tires on a BMW 700 should be inspected before each drive and more thoroughly several times a year, even if the car sees only occasional use. Check inflation, tread condition, sidewall cracking, irregular wear, valve condition, and any signs of tube or mounting issues. Collector cars often age tires by time and storage conditions rather than by mileage alone.

Regular inspection matters on a BMW 700 because small bias-ply tires communicate changes in pressure and condition quickly through steering feel and road behavior. A quick visual check before driving can catch problems early, while periodic close inspection can reveal age-related deterioration that is easy to miss at a glance. If the car has been parked for a season, inspect the tires before returning it to the road.

BMW 700 tires should be replaced when age, cracking, casing condition, impact damage, or long-term deterioration make continued use questionable, even if the tread still appears deep. Collector-car tires often accumulate very few miles, so tread depth alone is a poor guide to serviceability. Sidewall condition, bead condition, and overall structural soundness matter more than appearance by itself.

That rule is especially important for a lightly used BMW 700 that spends much of its life in storage or at shows. A tire can look acceptable from a few feet away and still be too old or too compromised for road use. If there is any doubt, have the tires evaluated during removal and mounting so the condition of the full assembly can be judged rather than relying on tread alone.

BMW 700 is associated here with three period-style sizes: 5.60-12, 520-12, and 5.50-12, all on 12-inch rims and all in bias-ply format. Because multiple sizes appear across the production run and several years carry more than one size, there is not a single one-size-fits-all answer for every BMW 700. The current product coverage also shows a classic bias-ply series for 520-12 rather than one universal original-equipment specification for all cars.

For restoration work, the right question is which tire was originally fitted to your specific BMW 700 configuration. Factory literature, period photographs, and marque-club references are the strongest sources for that decision. Matching the correct size and sidewall style usually matters more to an authentic presentation than simply choosing any 12-inch tire that appears close.

Correct tire fitment can absolutely affect the presentation, judging outcome, and perceived authenticity of a BMW 700. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice whether the tire size, overall stance, and sidewall treatment look appropriate for the year and configuration. On a compact early BMW, the wrong width or sidewall style can change the visual character of the whole car.

That does not mean every BMW 700 needs the same tire for every purpose. A touring driver may prioritize practical availability, while a concours restoration may need a closer period look. If value and judging matter, select the tire with the specific goal in mind and compare it with period references so the finished car reflects the standard you are trying to meet.

BMW 700 tire options in the listed product range currently include blackwall and wide whitewall styles in 520-12. Blackwall is generally the more restrained and factory-like presentation for a compact 1960s European car, while wide whitewall creates a more stylized period appearance. Both are period-flavored looks, but they do not communicate the same restoration intent.

For a BMW 700 restoration, the correct sidewall style depends on whether you are aiming for factory-authentic presentation, a period-accessorized look, or a regional custom style. Period photos and original sales material are useful references because a small car can look dramatically different with a whitewall. If originality is the priority, choose the sidewall style that best matches the way your specific BMW 700 would have been presented.

A correctly fitted, properly mounted, and sound-condition tire can be suitable for driving a BMW 700 on public roads, but safety depends on much more than tread depth alone. BMW 700 uses small period-style bias-ply sizes in this fitment range, so tire age, condition, inflation, tube condition, and wheel integrity all matter. The car’s suspension, brakes, and steering also need to be in equally good order.

Public-road use is most sensible when the BMW 700 has been prepared as a complete running vehicle rather than simply fitted with attractive tires. Before regular use, confirm that the tires match the intended size, that the wheels are sound, and that the car tracks and brakes correctly. A well-sorted collector car is far safer than one that only looks finished from the outside.

Before driving a BMW 700, check tire inflation, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and the general seating of the tire on the wheel. Since the listed BMW 700 applications are bias-ply types, the condition of the tube and wheel matters as well as the outer casing. Also inspect for uneven wear that could point to alignment, suspension, or brake issues.

Those checks are especially worthwhile after the car has been parked for weeks or months, which is common with collector ownership. Early signs of trouble often appear first at the tire: a low corner, fresh cracking, or a new vibration on the move. Spending a few minutes on a walkaround before each drive helps keep a BMW 700 enjoyable and reduces the chance of discovering a preventable problem on the road.

A BMW 700 on original-style bias-ply tires is best driven at moderate speeds that respect the age, construction, and overall condition of the car and its tires. Even when the fitment is correct, a period-style bias-ply tire does not deliver the same feel or reserve as a modern radial. Road speed should reflect the condition of the full vehicle, not simply what traffic around it is doing.

For most collector use, that means treating a BMW 700 as a vintage road car rather than a modern commuter. Keep speeds conservative until the car has proven stable, smooth, and properly sorted, and remain mindful that braking and cornering responses may differ from modern expectations. If the tires, tubes, wheels, or chassis are of uncertain age or condition, lower speeds are the prudent choice.