1958 BMW 501 Tires

The 1958 BMW 501 uses two primary tire sizes: 640-15 in bias-ply construction and 185R15 in radial construction. Both sizes fit a 15-inch rim, so the tire decision is not about changing wheel diameter first, but about selecting the construction and look that suit the car’s intended use.

That distinction matters because a bias-ply 640-15 and a radial 185R15 create different selection paths for sidewall style, wheel-width compatibility, and overall presentation. Before choosing either size, confirm the actual wheel setup on the car, especially if it has been restored, modified, or fitted with replacement wheels over the years.

The 1958 BMW 501 uses a 15-inch rim diameter with both of its primary tire sizes. That shared rim diameter applies whether the car is fitted with the 640-15 bias-ply size or the 185R15 radial size, which keeps wheel diameter consistent while allowing a change in tire construction.

Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still important to check wheel width before selecting a specific tire. Product fitments within these sizes cover different rim-width ranges, and that can affect which tire series or construction type is the better match for the wheels currently on the car.

Yes. The 1958 BMW 501 Base shares the same primary fitment choices as the core model, using either a 185R15 radial or a 640-15 bias-ply tire. There is no separate sub-model-only size to sort through here, which makes the fitment path more straightforward than on vehicles with trim-specific wheel and tire packages.

Even with shared sizing, the right tire still depends on how the car is being used and presented. A restoration-oriented setup may point toward the traditional bias-ply size, while a driver-focused setup may lead toward the radial option, provided the wheel width and overall vehicle clearance are checked carefully.

640-15 is the bias-ply tire size used on the 1958 BMW 501. It follows the older numeric sizing system, where the first number reflects nominal section width and the final number indicates the 15-inch rim diameter, making it distinct from the radial-style 185R15 size also used on this model.

Choosing 640-15 keeps the car in a traditional construction type and opens up blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options. If the car has replacement wheels or has been changed from its earlier setup, confirm wheel width and physical clearance before committing to a specific bias-ply tire within that size.

Radial equivalents for 640-15 include 175R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P175/75R15 as a 75-series P-metric radial, and P185/70R15 as a 70-series P-metric radial. Each keeps the 15-inch rim diameter but uses a different radial sizing format and profile family than the original numeric bias-ply tire.

Those options should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic swaps. A recommended rim-width range of 5 to 6 inches is associated with the equivalent sizes, so wheel width should be confirmed along with section fit, suspension clearance, and the overall setup of the car before changing away from 640-15.

Start by confirming the actual wheel diameter and wheel width on the car, then compare the intended radial size against the current 640-15 setup. For a 1958 BMW 501, that often means evaluating 175R15, P175/75R15, P185/70R15, or the primary 185R15 radial fitment while keeping the 15-inch wheel diameter in mind.

Clearance at the fender, steering, and suspension should be checked before making the switch, especially on a restored car with unknown wheel history. It also helps to decide whether the priority is a more traditional appearance or a more modern radial setup, since that affects both tire style and final fitment choices.

The first decision is construction. The 1958 BMW 501 can use a 640-15 bias-ply tire or a 185R15 radial, both on 15-inch rims, so the right choice depends on whether the goal is a more period-style setup, a radial driving setup, or a balance between vintage appearance and modern road use.

After that, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, and the character of the available tire series. A car kept for shows may lean toward traditional bias-ply presentation, while a regularly driven example may lead toward radial options, provided the actual wheels, suspension condition, and available space are verified first.

Sidewall choices for the 1958 BMW 501 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and redline, depending on the tire size and series selected. The 640-15 bias-ply options cover blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall treatments, while the 185R15 radial options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and redline styles.

That range gives the car noticeably different visual personalities without changing the basic 15-inch fitment. Buyers focused on a restrained European look may prefer blackwall or a narrow whitewall, while whitewall and redline choices can push the car toward a more distinct restoration-oriented or custom-style presentation.

Tires for the 1958 BMW 501 are available from Michelin, Avon, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Excelsior. Brand availability depends on the size and construction being considered, with radial choices centered on 185R15 and bias-ply choices centered on 640-15.

The practical comparison is less about brand ranking and more about which construction, tire series, and sidewall treatment match the car and its wheels. Some buyers will narrow the field by appearance first, while others will start with radial versus bias-ply, then compare rim-width compatibility and specification details within that group.

A period-style 1958 BMW 501 usually starts with the 640-15 bias-ply size, since that construction and numeric sizing format align naturally with the car’s late-1950s character. Within that size, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall options create different visual results while keeping the traditional bias-ply presentation.

The final choice depends on how closely the car is being restored and what look suits its finish and trim. When exact historical accuracy matters, marque-club guidance, period photography, and vehicle-specific restoration references are worth checking before settling on a particular sidewall treatment or brand.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1958 BMW 501 as much as it changes the driving setup. A 640-15 bias-ply tire gives the car a more traditional late-1950s presentation, while a 185R15 radial introduces a more modern tire profile and opens the door to radial-specific series and sidewall choices.

That does not mean one approach is automatically right for every restoration. A bias-ply setup often supports a more authentic period-style impression, while a radial setup may better suit a car intended for regular road use, so the decision should reflect both the build goal and the actual wheel specifications.

Yes. A 1958 BMW 501 may have had wheel, suspension, or brake changes over the years, and any of those can affect whether a 640-15 bias-ply or 185R15 radial remains the right fit. Even though both primary sizes use a 15-inch rim, width and clearance can change with non-original components.

Cars with aftermarket wheels should have wheel width confirmed before a tire is selected, and lowered or altered suspension should be checked for steering and fender clearance. A restored car can look stock yet still differ underneath, so a quick physical inspection is worthwhile before new tires are mounted.

Before driving a 1958 BMW 501 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm that each tire is seated properly, and set inflation to the tire maker’s specification. It is also smart to look over suspension and steering components so a new tire is not masking looseness elsewhere in the chassis.

A short, careful test drive should follow, with attention paid to clearance during turns and over bumps. After the first miles, recheck air pressure and look for any signs of rubbing or uneven contact, especially if the car has not been on the road regularly or has recently changed from bias-ply to radial construction.

Tires on a collector 1958 BMW 501 should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, tread wear, and gradual air loss, even if the car is driven only occasionally. Low-use vintage cars can age tires out long before they wear them out, so condition matters just as much as remaining tread depth.

Proper storage helps preserve both bias-ply and radial tires, especially when the car spends long periods parked. Keeping the BMW away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources, maintaining pressure, and moving the car periodically can all help reduce flat spotting and slow the aging that affects collector vehicles.