BMW L6 Tires

BMW L6 uses two tire sizes in 1987: 205/70R14 and 220/55R390. The 205/70R14 size fits cars with 14-inch wheels, while 220/55R390 fits cars with 390mm Michelin TRX metric wheels. Both listed fitments are radial, but they are not interchangeable because the wheel diameters are different.

The practical step is to inspect the actual wheel on the car before choosing a tire. A BMW L6 that has been converted from TRX wheels to conventional inch-based wheels may need 205/70R14, while an original TRX-equipped car needs 220/55R390. Use the wheel size, the sidewall marking on the current tire, and the year listing together before making a final selection.

220/55R390 is a metric radial size used on certain 1987 BMW L6 cars with Michelin TRX wheels. The 220 is the section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 390 is the rim diameter in millimeters rather than inches. That last number is the key difference, because it requires a true 390mm wheel.

Many buyers are familiar with 14-inch or 15-inch wheel sizes, so the TRX metric format can be easy to misread at a glance. On a BMW L6, 220/55R390 should never be treated as a 14-inch substitute. If the car still wears metric TRX wheels, the tire must match that wheel system exactly.

A 1987 BMW L6 has 2 tire sizes listed because the model could be found with two different wheel standards: conventional 14-inch wheels or 390mm Michelin TRX metric wheels. The two sizes are 205/70R14 and 220/55R390, and both belong to the same model year. The split is a wheel-diameter difference, not a front-and-rear staggered setup.

That means year alone is not enough to choose correctly for a BMW L6. The right approach is to verify the wheel diameter on the car, then match the tire size to that wheel. If the car has changed hands over the years, assume nothing and check the existing wheel markings before replacing tires.

BMW L6 uses either a 14-inch rim diameter or a 390mm rim diameter in 1987. The 205/70R14 fitment is for 14-inch wheels, while the 220/55R390 fitment is for 390mm TRX wheels. Those diameters are completely different wheel systems even though both belong to the same model year.

The safest path is to read the wheel and tire markings directly rather than rely on assumptions about trim or appearance. A conventional 14-inch wheel can use the inch-based radial options listed for BMW L6, while a TRX wheel needs the matching 390mm tire. Matching the correct wheel diameter is the first and most important fitment check on this model.

The correct tire size for a 1987 BMW L6 depends first on the wheel diameter fitted to the car. If the car has conventional 14-inch wheels, the listed size is 205/70R14. If the car has Michelin TRX metric wheels, the listed size is 220/55R390.

Start with the wheel and the current tire sidewall, then compare that information to the year listing. A BMW L6 may have been converted from TRX wheels to standard inch-based wheels at some point, so the present hardware matters more than assumption. Once the wheel standard is confirmed, the remaining choice is usually sidewall style and series preference.

BMW L6 tires are available in several sidewall styles depending on size and series. The 205/70R14 options include narrow whitewall, raised white letter, dual redline, redline, and blackwall. The 220/55R390 TRX fitment is listed in blackwall.

That variety gives a BMW L6 owner room to balance factory-style restraint with a more personalized period look. Blackwall is the most understated choice, while narrow whitewall and redline variations create a more distinctive appearance on a conventional 14-inch setup. Sidewall style should be chosen only after the correct wheel diameter and tire size are established.

BMW L6 tires in the listed sizes come from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. The 205/70R14 conventional fitment includes products from all three brands, while the 220/55R390 TRX size is represented by Michelin. That gives the 14-inch fitment broader cosmetic and series variety than the metric TRX size.

Brand choice on a BMW L6 often follows wheel choice first and appearance second. Owners keeping TRX wheels typically remain within the Michelin metric fitment, while 14-inch wheel cars can choose among blackwall, whitewall, redline, and raised white letter radials. Reviewing both the wheel type and the intended look helps narrow the field quickly.

BMW L6 tires are offered in several series, including Classic Whitewall MA-1, Radial TA, Silvertown Radial, Michelin XWX, and Michelin TRX-B. All are radial tires, but they differ in sidewall presentation and in whether they fit a conventional 14-inch wheel or a 390mm TRX wheel. The Michelin TRX-B is specific to the metric TRX system, while the others listed fit 14-inch applications.

For a BMW L6 owner, the most meaningful distinction is whether the car remains on TRX metric wheels or has standard 14-inch wheels. After that, the decision becomes one of visual style and period character, from a restrained blackwall to a whitewall or redline treatment. Choosing by series only makes sense after the wheel standard has been confirmed.

A BMW L6 should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space with the tires protected from sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Keeping the tires clean and inflated to an appropriate service pressure helps prevent flat spotting during longer periods of inactivity. Long-term storage on dirty concrete or near electric motors and battery chargers is best avoided.

If a BMW L6 will sit for extended periods, move the car occasionally or support it in a way that reduces constant load on one section of the tire. That matters on both conventional 14-inch radials and TRX metric tires because collector cars often spend more time parked than driven. Good storage habits preserve ride quality as much as tread life.

Tires on a BMW L6 should be visually checked before each drive and inspected more thoroughly at regular intervals even if the car sees limited mileage. Look for cracking, bulges, impact damage, irregular wear, pressure loss, and signs that the tire is not seated or wearing correctly on the wheel. Collector cars can age tires out long before they wear them out.

A BMW L6 that is driven only occasionally still benefits from a scheduled inspection routine because storage conditions and age affect the rubber over time. It is also wise to inspect the spare and verify that all four road tires match the intended wheel standard. Catching problems early is especially important on higher-speed touring cars from the 1980s.

BMW L6 tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, vibration, impact damage, or structural concerns appear, even if the tread still looks usable. Tread depth alone is not a complete measure of tire condition on a collector car. A tire that appears presentable can still be past its safe service life.

That is particularly important on a BMW L6 because many cars are driven seasonally and can retain old tires for long periods. Replacement decisions should consider age and condition together with the intended use of the car, whether local cruising or longer highway driving. Any tire showing significant age-related deterioration deserves prompt evaluation and likely replacement.

BMW L6 is listed with two 1987 fitments: 205/70R14 and 220/55R390. The presence of both sizes indicates that BMW L6 could be found with either conventional 14-inch radial fitment or Michelin TRX metric radial fitment depending on wheel equipment. Multiple series are available in the listed sizes, including Michelin XWX and Michelin TRX-B among the radial choices.

For a restoration-minded BMW L6 owner, originality comes down to matching the tire to the wheel setup the individual car carried. A car still wearing TRX metric wheels should retain the proper 390mm size, while a car on conventional 14-inch wheels belongs with the inch-based fitment. Original paperwork, period photos, and marque references remain the best guides for a particular car.

Correct tire fitment can affect both the appearance and the credibility of a BMW L6 restoration. Judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts tend to notice whether the car wears the proper wheel standard and an appropriate sidewall style for its presentation. On a model with both 14-inch and TRX metric possibilities, the wheel-and-tire pairing matters as much as the tire itself.

For value and show purposes, a BMW L6 should look consistent with the way the car is being represented. A preserved original, a factory-style restoration, and a sympathetic driver restoration may each justify a different tire choice, but the fitment still needs to be coherent. Marque clubs and period literature are useful references when authenticity is important.

Michelin XWX and Michelin TRX-B serve different BMW L6 wheel systems. The Michelin XWX is listed in 205/70VR14 for conventional 14-inch wheels, while the Michelin TRX-B is listed in 220/55VR390 for 390mm TRX metric wheels. Both are radial tires, but they are built for entirely different rim diameters.

That means the series choice is driven first by the wheel on the car, not by tread preference alone. A BMW L6 on standard 14-inch wheels can use the XWX fitment, while a BMW L6 retaining metric TRX wheels needs the TRX-B size. For an authentic restoration, selecting the series that matches the wheel system is the key step.

A properly sized, properly mounted radial tire in good condition can be suitable for driving a BMW L6 on public roads. The key safety factors are matching the tire to the correct wheel diameter, maintaining proper condition, and avoiding aged or damaged tires. On this model, that begins with confirming whether the car uses 14-inch wheels or 390mm TRX wheels.

Public-road use also depends on the overall mechanical condition of the BMW L6, including brakes, suspension, alignment, and wheel condition. Even a correct tire cannot compensate for neglected chassis components. A careful pre-drive inspection and a conservative first road test are wise whenever tires are newly installed or the car has been stored for a long time.

Before driving a BMW L6, check tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread condition, valve stems, and whether all four road tires match the wheel system on the car. Also look for bulges, weather checking, punctures, or signs of uneven wear. Because BMW L6 may use either 14-inch or TRX metric wheels, confirming that the installed tire size matches the wheel is essential.

It is equally smart to examine the spare, lug hardware, and general chassis condition before heading onto the road. A BMW L6 that has sat for months can reveal problems only once it begins moving and warming up. Short initial drives at moderate speeds give you time to evaluate ride quality, vibration, and steering response safely.

Appropriate speed for a BMW L6 depends on the exact tire fitted, its condition, and whether the wheel-and-tire combination is correct for the car. Even when the size is right, an older collector car tire should be treated with more caution than a modern daily-driver application. Age, storage history, and overall condition matter at least as much as the name on the sidewall.

The sensible approach is to begin with moderate speeds and increase only after confirming that the BMW L6 is mechanically sound and free from vibration or heat-related issues. Sustained high-speed driving is never a decision to make on appearance alone. If there is any doubt about tire age or condition, specialist inspection should come before extended road use.