The 1968 BMW 1600 sits at an important point in BMW’s sports-sedan development, combining compact dimensions, lively road manners, and the clean, upright styling that helped define the Neue Klasse era. That makes tire choice especially important, because the car’s character depends heavily on wheel diameter, construction, and overall stance. This model uses both bias-ply and radial fitments, with 13-inch and 14-inch applications depending on sub-model. Buyers can sort through period-style whitewall bias-ply options or blackwall radial choices from established European brands. The right selection starts with the exact sub-model and wheel size, then moves to appearance, driving intent, and construction preference.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1968 BMW 1600
The 1968 BMW 1600 uses four primary tire sizes, and the correct one depends first on identifying the exact sub-model and confirming whether the car has 13-inch or 14-inch wheels. Fitment also spans both bias-ply and radial construction, so the real decision is not only size, but whether the car is staying with a period-style bias-ply setup or using the radial fitment tied to that wheel diameter.
165R13 is a Euro-metric radial size in which 165 represents the nominal section width in millimeters, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1968 BMW 1600, this size gives the car a radial fitment on a 13-inch rim and is relevant to the /2 sub-model. Available choices are blackwall radials from Michelin and Dunlop, including classic European tire series such as XAS, XAS-FF, and SP Sport Aquajet. This size makes sense when the car already uses the correct 13-inch wheel setup and the goal is a traditional radial presentation.
600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size, with the leading number indicating an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width and the final number identifying a 13-inch rim. For the 1968 BMW 1600, it is the bias-ply fitment associated with the /2 sub-model and suits buyers seeking a more vintage construction style. BFGoodrich offers this size in the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series with narrow whitewall and wide whitewall treatments. It is the size to evaluate when preserving a period-style look on a 13-inch wheel car matters as much as the basic fitment itself.
165R14 follows the same Euro-metric radial format, with a 165-millimeter nominal width, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. On the 1968 BMW 1600, this radial size belongs with the /4 sub-model and should be matched to the correct 14-inch wheel. Blackwall choices include European touring and performance-oriented classic series from Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein, including Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, and Sprint Classic. This size is the practical starting point for a /4 owner who wants a radial tire that matches the car’s wheel diameter and classic European character.
6.00-14 is a numeric bias-ply size that indicates an approximate 6.00-inch nominal section width mounted on a 14-inch wheel. For the 1968 BMW 1600, this is the bias-ply fitment tied to the /4 sub-model, so it should not be confused with the 13-inch bias-ply option used elsewhere in the range. The main value of this size is maintaining a traditional bias-ply configuration on a 14-inch wheel car rather than moving immediately to a radial conversion. Buyers considering it should confirm the wheel diameter first, then decide whether appearance, construction, and driving intent point toward bias-ply or radial.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1968 BMW 1600 because the covered versions do not share the same wheel diameter or primary tire sizes. The first step is confirming whether the car is a /2 or a /4, since that determines whether the tire search should stay in 13-inch or 14-inch fitment.
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1968 BMW 1600 /2
The 1968 BMW 1600 /2 uses 13-inch fitments, with 165R13 in radial form and 600-13 in bias-ply form. That means tire selection centers on confirming the existing wheel setup, then choosing between a blackwall radial presentation or a more period-style bias-ply look.
The 1968 BMW 1600 /4 uses 14-inch fitments, pairing 165R14 radial and 6.00-14 bias-ply sizing with that larger wheel diameter. Tire choice here begins with the 14-inch wheel itself, then shifts to whether the car is being kept in a traditional bias-ply style or a classic radial configuration.
Bias-Ply to Radial Tire Conversion for the 1968 BMW 1600
The original 600-13 size has three radial-equivalent options available. Those alternatives are 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P175/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. No bias-look radial equivalent appears for this size. Together, these choices move from a classic Euro-metric radial format to two lower-profile P-metric conventions. A 4- to 5-inch rim-width range is associated with the equivalent fitment, and wheel dimensions plus vehicle clearance should still be checked before converting.
Modern Radial Equivalents
165R13
Equivalent 80-series Metric Radial (600-13)
P165/75R13
Equivalent P-metric 75-series Radial (600-13)
P175/70R13
Equivalent P-metric 70-series Radial (600-13)
Important Considerations When Replacing Bias Ply With Radial
Compare overall diameter and section width carefully to ensure proper fit.
Verify recommended rim range (4-5 in) and load needs match your vehicle specifications.
Check fender clearance, steering clearance, and stance before installation.
Consider suspension condition and intended road use when choosing equivalents.
Important Fitment Notes
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1968 BMW 1600 Tires for Sale
Available 1968 BMW 1600 tire choices span radial and bias-ply construction across 13-inch and 14-inch sizes. Buyers can compare Michelin, Dunlop, Pirelli, Vredestein, and BFGoodrich options by tire series, blackwall or whitewall appearance, and rim-width suitability where it is stated.
Common 1968 BMW 1600 tire questions usually come down to sub-model fitment, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheels, bias-ply versus radial construction, and how to choose the right appearance and road-use setup for the car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1968 BMW 1600?
The 1968 BMW 1600 uses more than one primary tire size. The /2 sub-model uses 165R13 in radial form or 600-13 in bias-ply form, while the /4 sub-model uses 165R14 in radial form or 6.00-14 in bias-ply form.
That means tire selection starts with the exact sub-model and the wheel diameter currently on the car. A 13-inch BMW 1600 /2 and a 14-inch BMW 1600 /4 should not be treated as the same fitment just because both are 1968 BMW 1600 models.
What size rim does a 1968 BMW 1600 use?
The 1968 BMW 1600 uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The /2 uses 13-inch fitments with 165R13 or 600-13, while the /4 uses 14-inch fitments with 165R14 or 6.00-14.
Wheel diameter is the first thing to confirm before comparing tires. Once that is settled, the next steps are matching the construction type to the car’s setup and checking wheel width against the tire being considered, especially if the wheels may have been changed over the years.
Why does the 1968 BMW 1600 have more than one tire size?
The 1968 BMW 1600 has more than one tire size because the covered sub-models do not share the same wheel diameter. The /2 uses 13-inch fitments and the /4 uses 14-inch fitments, and each sub-model can also be found with either radial or bias-ply sizing tied to that wheel diameter.
This is why the correct choice is not just a matter of picking a familiar-looking size. Identifying the car as a /2 or /4, then confirming the wheel diameter already on the vehicle, will narrow the search to the tire sizes that actually belong with that configuration.
Bias-Ply & Radial Options
Should I use bias-ply or radial tires on a 1968 BMW 1600?
A 1968 BMW 1600 can be fitted in either bias-ply or radial form, depending on sub-model and wheel diameter. The /2 uses 600-13 bias-ply or 165R13 radial, while the /4 uses 6.00-14 bias-ply or 165R14 radial.
The choice usually comes down to how the car is being presented and driven. A period-style restoration may favor the bias-ply route, while a classic road-use setup may lean toward radial tires, but wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance still need to be checked before changing construction.
What radial tire sizes are equivalent to 600-13?
Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as an 80-series metric radial, P165/75R13 as a P-metric 75-series radial, and P175/70R13 as a P-metric 70-series radial. No bias-look radial equivalent is associated with 600-13 here.
Those options give a 600-13 owner several ways to evaluate a radial alternative while staying within 13-inch fitment. A 4- to 5-inch rim-width range is associated with the equivalent fitment, and the final choice should still be checked against the car’s wheel dimensions and available clearance.
What should I check before converting my 1968 BMW 1600 from bias-ply to radial tires?
Start by confirming the car’s sub-model, wheel diameter, and the specific bias-ply size currently in use. On a 1968 BMW 1600, the relevant bias-ply sizes are 600-13 for the /2 and 6.00-14 for the /4, and only 600-13 has explicit radial equivalents noted here.
After that, compare the intended radial size to the wheel width and inspect steering, fender, and suspension clearance on the car as it sits now. Older BMWs are often decades removed from their original setup, so wheel changes, ride-height changes, and general condition can all affect the conversion outcome.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1968 BMW 1600 tire?
The most important factors are the exact sub-model, the wheel diameter on the car, and whether the intended tire should be bias-ply or radial. A 1968 BMW 1600 /2 belongs in 13-inch fitment, while a /4 belongs in 14-inch fitment, and each has its own matching sizes.
Once the basic fitment is confirmed, compare the tires by appearance, construction, and wheel-width suitability where that information is available. For many owners, the real decision is whether the car should keep a period-style look with bias-ply tires or use a classic blackwall radial setup.
What sidewall styles are available for 1968 BMW 1600 tires?
Available sidewall styles for the 1968 BMW 1600 include blackwall, wide whitewall, and narrow whitewall. The radial choices in 165R13 and 165R14 are blackwall tires, while the 600-13 bias-ply options are offered with whitewall treatments.
Sidewall style has a strong effect on the car’s finished appearance, especially on a restoration-oriented build. The best choice depends less on trend and more on how the BMW is being presented, since a blackwall radial and a whitewall bias-ply create very different visual impressions.
What brands offer tires for the 1968 BMW 1600?
Tires for the 1968 BMW 1600 are available from Michelin, Dunlop, Pirelli, Vredestein, and BFGoodrich. Brand availability depends on the size, with Michelin and Dunlop appearing in 165R13, Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein in 165R14, and BFGoodrich in 600-13.
That brand spread gives buyers a useful range of period-style bias-ply and classic European radial choices. The best way to narrow them down is to start with the correct size, then compare series, sidewall treatment, and wheel-width compatibility rather than trying to choose by brand name alone.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1968 BMW 1600?
For a period-style 1968 BMW 1600, the first step is keeping the correct wheel diameter and sub-model fitment in place. That usually means 600-13 on a 13-inch /2 setup or 6.00-14 on a 14-inch /4 setup when a traditional bias-ply presentation is the goal.
That approach preserves the visual character associated with vintage tire construction, but exact originality can still depend on details beyond size alone. When the car is being restored to a very specific historical standard, marque references and vehicle-specific documentation are worth checking before finalizing the tire choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1968 BMW 1600?
Tire construction changes more than ride and handling; it also changes how a restored 1968 BMW 1600 looks on its wheels. A bias-ply tire gives a more traditional visual impression, while the available radial choices present the car with a classic blackwall European road-car appearance.
That difference matters because the BMW 1600’s clean body lines and compact proportions make tire shape and sidewall treatment very visible. Matching construction to the restoration goal helps the car look coherent, especially when the wheel diameter, sidewall style, and overall stance are all part of the finished result.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1968 BMW 1600?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1968 BMW 1600 even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Wheel changes, altered ride height, suspension work, or body and fender modifications can all change the space available around a 13-inch or 14-inch tire.
A car with aftermarket wheels should have the actual wheel diameter and width verified before a tire is chosen. Clearance should also be checked at steering lock and through suspension movement, since an older BMW may no longer sit exactly as it did when new.
What should I inspect before driving a 1968 BMW 1600 on new tires?
Before driving a 1968 BMW 1600 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and general condition, then confirm the tires are mounted in the proper size for the car’s sub-model. Tire pressure, valve stems, and visible clearance around the suspension and body should also be checked.
A short initial drive is a good time to watch for rubbing, pulling, or vibration. Older collector cars can reveal wheel or alignment issues only after fresh tires are installed, so it helps to recheck pressure and inspect the tire sidewalls and tread again after the first few miles.
How should tires on a collector 1968 BMW 1600 be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1968 BMW 1600 should be inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and slow air loss, especially if the car is driven infrequently. Collector vehicles often age their tires through time and storage conditions as much as through mileage.
Proper inflation and a clean, dry storage environment help preserve both bias-ply and radial tires. It also makes sense to inspect the tires before longer drives rather than assuming low annual mileage means they are ready for use, since age and inactivity can hide condition issues.
