1963 BMW 3200 Tires

The 1963 BMW 3200 uses two primary bias-ply tire sizes: 6.50-15 and 670-15. Both sizes are tied to a 15-inch rim, and the covered 3200 S & SC sub-models use these same period-style fitments rather than a separate modern metric size.

That means the real selection step is confirming which of those two original-style sizes is on the car now and whether the wheels remain stock in diameter and width. If the car has been changed over the years, checking the actual wheel dimensions and the current tire-to-fender clearance is more useful than assuming every surviving 3200 still wears the same setup.

The 1963 BMW 3200 uses a 15-inch rim with its primary tire fitments. Both 6.50-15 and 670-15 are 15-inch bias-ply sizes, so the wheel diameter stays the same even though the tire sizing convention differs slightly between the two.

Wheel diameter is only part of the check, especially on an older collector car. A 15-inch wheel can still vary in width, and that affects which individual tire options make sense. Before choosing a replacement, inspect the stampings or measure the wheels directly so the tire’s rim-width requirements line up with the wheels actually mounted on the car.

The covered 1963 BMW 3200 S & SC sub-models share the same primary tire fitment range, using 6.50-15 and 670-15 bias-ply tires on 15-inch rims. There is not a separate listed tire size for one of these covered sub-models versus the other.

That simplifies the search, but it does not eliminate the need to verify what is already on the car. Many collector vehicles have seen wheel changes, suspension work, or prior tire substitutions. Matching the replacement size to the car’s current wheel width and checking sidewall clearance at full steering lock remains the smart way to avoid an expensive mistake.

On the 1963 BMW 3200, 670-15 is a primary bias-ply tire size. It belongs to the older numeric sizing system and is available in traditional bias-ply construction across several period-style brands, series, and sidewall treatments.

That matters because a buyer deciding on 670-15 is really choosing whether to stay with original-style bias-ply construction or compare it with radial equivalents offered in other sizing formats. Construction changes can affect the car’s look and the way the tire sits on the wheel, so wheel width and clearance should be checked before moving away from the original-style setup.

Radial equivalents for 670-15 include 195R15 as an 80-series metric radial, P205/75R15 as a P-metric 75-series radial, P215/70R15 as a P-metric 70-series radial, and 670R15 as a bias-look radial equivalent. These options give the 1963 BMW 3200 owner several different radial-sizing paths to compare.

Each one represents a slightly different sizing convention and presentation, so the decision should not be made by code alone. A recommended rim-width range of 5-7 inches is associated with these equivalents, and the car’s actual wheel width, overall tire dimensions, and body or suspension clearance should be checked before treating any of them as a usable alternative.

A bias-look radial equivalent is available for the 1963 BMW 3200 in the 670-15 fitment range, and that size is 670R15. It offers a radial construction option while preserving a more traditional visual character than a fully modern metric sidewall presentation.

That makes it worth considering for owners who want a period-minded appearance without staying strictly with bias-ply construction. Even so, the choice still needs the same fitment discipline as any other conversion. Confirm wheel width, compare the mounted tire’s proportions to the current setup, and check steering and fender clearance before settling on a bias-look radial alternative.

Start with the basics: correct 670-15 sizing, bias-ply construction, and compatibility with the 15-inch wheel on the car. From there, selection comes down to details such as brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width requirement, and whether the car is being kept in a more formal restoration-oriented presentation or used in a broader touring role.

The available 670-15 range is wide enough that appearance becomes a major part of the decision. Blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions each change the car’s visual tone. It also helps to compare load figures where stated, along with wheel-width suitability, so the tire chosen matches both the car’s look and the wheels actually installed.

For the 1963 BMW 3200 in 670-15, available sidewall styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall. Those choices appear across multiple vintage tire lines, giving the car a noticeably different visual presence depending on whether the goal is understated, lightly accented, or more formal period-style presentation.

Sidewall treatment should be chosen with the car’s overall finish in mind rather than by size alone. A blackwall can keep the look restrained, while narrow and wide whitewalls create a more decorative mid-century appearance. Since whitewall width is an appearance decision rather than a fitment guarantee, it is still important to confirm the wheel and tire specs first.

The 1963 BMW 3200 has 670-15 tire options from Firestone, US Royal, Coker Classic, Universal Vintage Tire, BFGoodrich, Excelsior, Avon, Goodyear, and STA. Those brands appear across several classic tire series, with a mix of blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall styles.

Brand choice is best treated as part of a larger selection process instead of the whole decision. Compare the series style, sidewall presentation, rim-width requirements, and load figures where they are stated. On a collector BMW, the right brand is the one that aligns with the car’s intended look and the wheels under it, not simply the most familiar name.

A period-style 1963 BMW 3200 usually starts with one of its original-style bias-ply sizes, 6.50-15 or 670-15, on the proper 15-inch wheel. Within 670-15 especially, there is room to choose among blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall designs, along with several vintage tire series.

The best visual choice depends on how formal or restrained the finished car is meant to appear. A restoration-minded buyer should use the tire size first, then decide how much whitewall presence suits the car’s trim and overall presentation. When exact originality matters, period photographs, marque-club sources, and vehicle-specific history remain important checks before settling on one sidewall style.

Tire construction changes more than ride and handling; it also changes how a restored 1963 BMW 3200 presents visually. A bias-ply tire keeps the car in its original-era sizing language and usually supports a more traditional collector-car look, while a radial alternative introduces a more modern construction approach.

That visual difference becomes more noticeable when the car is viewed from the side, especially alongside wheel covers, trim, and whitewall choices. Owners aiming for a restoration-oriented result often begin with the original-style bias-ply fitment, then compare radial alternatives only after deciding how much modern deviation is acceptable for the finished appearance and intended road use.

Yes. A 1963 BMW 3200 may share the same listed tire sizes across its covered sub-models, but wheel or suspension changes can still alter what works on the car. Aftermarket 15-inch wheels can differ in width, and even small changes in ride height or steering geometry can affect clearance.

That is why older collector cars should be measured, not assumed. Check the actual wheel width, inspect inner and outer clearance, and look for signs of rubbing at full steering lock and through suspension travel. Even when staying with 6.50-15 or 670-15, the car’s current setup matters more than what it may have worn decades ago.

Before driving a 1963 BMW 3200 on new tires, inspect wheel condition, valve stems, lug hardware, and basic clearance around the fenders and suspension. It also helps to confirm inflation, look for any uneven seating on the rim, and make sure the tires are matched correctly to the wheel diameter and width.

A brief road test should be approached cautiously, especially on a collector car that may have sat for long periods. Recheck pressure after the first drive, listen for rubbing, and inspect for any fresh contact marks near the inner wheelhouse or steering components. Catching those issues early is much easier than correcting damage after longer road use.

670-15 tires on a collector 1963 BMW 3200 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cuts, cracking, bulges, and abnormal tread wear, and protected from long periods of heat, sunlight, and moisture. Cars that see limited mileage still need routine tire checks because age and storage conditions matter as much as distance traveled.

Maintenance also includes watching for slow air loss and keeping an eye on how the tire is wearing across the tread. A vehicle that sits for extended periods benefits from periodic movement and a clean, dry storage environment away from ozone sources. Any sign of sidewall damage or persistent pressure loss deserves attention before the car returns to regular road use.