1962 BMW 2600 Tires

The 1962 BMW 2600 is associated with two primary tire sizes: 185R15 in radial construction and 640-15 in bias-ply construction. Both sizes use a 15-inch rim, so the main fitment question is not diameter alone, but which construction style belongs on the car as it sits today.

That means tire selection should start with the car's actual wheel width, current suspension and wheel setup, and whether the goal is a traditional bias-ply presentation or a radial driving setup. On a collector car, it is also worth checking whether previous owners already changed wheels or tire construction before choosing a replacement.

The tire fitments associated with the 1962 BMW 2600 use a 15-inch rim diameter. Both the 185R15 radial size and the 640-15 bias-ply size are built around that same 15-inch wheel diameter, which keeps the basic wheel-size question fairly simple.

The next step is confirming wheel width, because available tires in these sizes do not all share the same rim-width range. A car that still has its original-style wheels may favor a different tire choice than one fitted with replacement rims, so measuring the actual wheel before ordering is a smart part of the fitment process.

The covered 1962 BMW 2600 Series is associated with the same two primary fitments: 185R15 radial and 640-15 bias-ply. That makes sub-model fitment more consistent than on vehicles where one trim uses a different diameter or a different size altogether.

Even with shared fitment, the decision still depends on the type of tire the car is currently set up to use and the look the owner wants to maintain. A bias-ply restoration-minded setup may lead toward 640-15, while a road-focused radial setup may point toward 185R15 after wheel-width and clearance checks.

640-15 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1962 BMW 2600. It uses the older numeric sizing convention and is offered in classic bias-ply lines with blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall presentations, making it the more traditional construction choice associated with this fitment.

Choosing 640-15 usually makes the most sense when maintaining a period-style look or staying close to the car's earlier tire character matters most. Since bias-ply and radial tires can call for different wheel-width ranges and deliver a different visual stance, the current wheels and the intended use of the car should be reviewed before making the switch.

Radial equivalents for 640-15 include 175R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P175/75R15 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P185/70R15 as a P-metric 70-series radial. A recommended rim-width range of 5-6 inches is associated with these equivalent radial sizes.

Those equivalents give the owner several ways to move from a numeric bias-ply size into radial sizing, but they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic replacements. The wheel width, tire clearance, and overall stance of the car still need to be checked, especially if the BMW has replacement wheels or suspension changes.

A 1962 BMW 2600 can be fitted with either 640-15 bias-ply tires or 185R15 radial tires, depending on the setup you want to preserve. Bias-ply keeps a more traditional construction style, while 185R15 places the car in a classic Euro-metric radial format with several modern vintage-style choices.

The right direction depends on priorities. Restoration-minded owners often focus on maintaining period-style appearance, while drivers planning more regular road use may prefer to evaluate radial options. The decision should also account for wheel-width compatibility, any previous modifications, and whether the car already has a tire construction different from what it wore earlier in life.

Start with the correct primary size and construction for the setup on the car: 185R15 for radial fitment or 640-15 for bias-ply fitment. From there, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall style, tire series, and whether the car is being selected for restoration-minded display, regular road use, or a mix of both.

It also helps to look at how the available products differ in presentation. The 185R15 group includes blackwall, narrow whitewall, and redline radial choices, while 640-15 adds blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall bias-ply options. Matching construction and appearance to the car's purpose usually narrows the choice quickly.

Available sidewall styles for the 1962 BMW 2600 include blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, and wide whitewall, depending on which tire size and construction you choose. The 185R15 radial offerings include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and redline, while 640-15 bias-ply products include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall.

Sidewall choice changes the car's visual character more than many buyers expect, especially on a formal early-1960s sedan. A blackwall usually gives a restrained presentation, whitewall options add a more traditional luxury look, and redline creates a sportier period-style accent. The best match depends on the appearance you want and the tire construction you plan to run.

Tires for the 1962 BMW 2600 are available from several brands, including Michelin, Avon, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Firestone, and Excelsior. Brand selection depends partly on whether you are shopping in the 185R15 radial category or the 640-15 bias-ply category.

The practical difference is that each brand contributes a different mix of tire series, sidewall treatments, and rim-width compatibility. Instead of choosing by brand name alone, compare the actual construction, size, sidewall style, and intended use of the tire. That approach is usually more helpful on a collector vehicle than focusing on a single manufacturer.

For a period-style 1962 BMW 2600, 640-15 bias-ply is the natural starting point because it preserves the older numeric sizing format and a traditional tire construction. Within that size, blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions create noticeably different presentations without changing the basic vintage bias-ply character.

A restoration-minded choice should balance size, construction, and visual style rather than focusing on one detail alone. If exact historical originality matters, marque references and model-specific historical documentation are worth consulting before settling on a sidewall treatment. For many owners, a period-style result simply means keeping the car visually appropriate to its era.

Tire construction changes the appearance of a restored 1962 BMW 2600 because bias-ply and radial tires usually present the car differently even when both use a 15-inch rim. A 640-15 bias-ply keeps the more traditional construction style, while a 185R15 radial gives the car a more modernized vintage-touring look.

That visual difference becomes more noticeable once sidewall treatment enters the picture. A wide whitewall bias-ply can emphasize early-1960s formality, while a blackwall or redline radial can shift the car toward a sportier or more understated presentation. Choosing construction first often makes the sidewall decision easier and keeps the finished look more coherent.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1962 BMW 2600 even when the nominal tire size stays the same. Aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension changes, or body and fender work can all change how a 185R15 or 640-15 tire sits in the wheel opening and how much clearance remains.

That is why a modified car should be measured rather than assumed to match stock dimensions. Wheel diameter may still be 15 inches, but width and offset changes can alter the fit substantially. A quick inspection of steering clearance, suspension travel, and fender room can prevent choosing a tire that is correct in size code but wrong for the actual setup.

Before driving a 1962 BMW 2600 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, verify the wheel diameter and width, and make sure the selected tire size matches the car's intended setup. It is also wise to confirm that the tires clear the suspension, steering components, and fender edges throughout the steering range.

Beyond fitment, check inflation pressure, lug hardware condition, and the overall health of the suspension and steering system. A collector car that has spent long periods parked can have issues unrelated to the tires themselves, including worn bushings or sticking components. Taking a careful look before the first road test helps the car and tires work together properly.

Collector-car tires in 185R15 or 640-15 should be maintained with regular pressure checks, visual inspections, and sensible storage habits. Even when tread wear is minimal, older tires can develop sidewall cracking, bulges, flat-spotting, or air loss simply from age, inactivity, and exposure to heat, sunlight, and ozone.

A low-mileage 1962 BMW 2600 deserves tire inspections based on condition, not mileage alone. Looking over the sidewalls and tread before each drive is a smart habit, especially if the car has been parked for weeks or months. Keeping the car clean, dry, and away from direct sunlight also helps preserve both bias-ply and radial tires.