1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A Tires

The 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A uses two primary tire sizes: 165R13 in radial construction and 600-13 in bias-ply construction. Both are 13-inch fitments, so the difference is not wheel diameter but the tire sizing system and construction type chosen for the car.

That means the real decision is whether the car is being kept with its bias-ply-style setup or matched to the radial fitment. Before selecting a tire, confirm the actual wheel width on the car, especially if the wheels have ever been changed, since the available radial and bias-ply products are built around different rim-width ranges.

Both primary tire sizes for the 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A use a 13-inch rim diameter. That applies to the 165R13 radial fitment and the 600-13 bias-ply fitment, so the wheel diameter remains consistent even though the tire construction changes.

Rim diameter is only part of the check. Wheel width still matters, because the available 165R13 radial products and 600-13 bias-ply products do not use the same rim-width range. Measuring the actual wheel before purchase is worthwhile on any older 2002, particularly if the car has seen replacement wheels or a long restoration history.

600-13 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 600 designates the nominal section width in inches, while 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A, this size represents the bias-ply fitment rather than the radial fitment.

For a buyer, that matters because a 600-13 tire carries a different construction style and period look than a 165R13 radial. It also points you toward a different set of available products, including whitewall bias-ply options, so the choice affects both the car’s appearance and the wheel-width range that needs to be confirmed.

600-13 is a bias-ply tire size for the 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A. The radial primary fitment is 165R13, so these two sizes represent different construction paths for the same 13-inch wheel diameter rather than two versions of the same tire format.

That distinction affects both appearance and fitment planning. Bias-ply products in 600-13 are offered with whitewall styling, while the 165R13 radial choices on this application are blackwall tires. Wheel width should be checked before changing construction, since the available bias-ply and radial products are built around different compatible wheel ranges.

Radial equivalents for 600-13 include 165R13 as the 80-series metric radial option, P165/75R13 as the P-metric 75-series radial option, and P175/70R13 as the P-metric 70-series radial option. No bias-look radial equivalent is listed for this size.

Those options give the 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A owner several radial formats to compare, but they should be treated as alternatives rather than automatic substitutions. The recommended rim-width range associated with this equivalency path is 4 to 5 inches, and overall dimensions, wheel compatibility, and body or steering clearance should still be verified on the car itself.

Either can be appropriate for a 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A because both 600-13 bias-ply and 165R13 radial fitments are part of the vehicle’s tire picture. The better choice depends on whether the car is being kept in a more traditional bias-ply presentation or set up around a radial format.

A bias-ply choice usually centers more on period-style appearance, while a radial choice often centers more on maintaining the car in a classic European radial size. The practical step is to match the tire to the wheel width already on the car and to inspect clearance carefully if anything about the wheels or suspension differs from stock.

Start with the correct primary size and construction for the setup you want: 165R13 for radial or 600-13 for bias-ply. After that, compare wheel-width compatibility, sidewall appearance, tire series, and any product details such as weight or load information when those factors matter to your intended use.

A buyer restoring the car’s period look may focus on whether a bias-ply whitewall presentation suits the project, while another owner may prefer the blackwall European radial look of the 165R13 offerings. The smartest approach is to choose size first, construction second, and product character third, rather than treating all 13-inch tires as interchangeable.

The available sidewall styles for the 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A include blackwall in the 165R13 radial fitment, plus wide whitewall and narrow whitewall in the 600-13 bias-ply fitment. Sidewall treatment is one of the clearest visual differences between the available tire choices for this car.

That makes sidewall style more than a cosmetic footnote. A blackwall radial keeps a classic European look, while the whitewall bias-ply options create a more vintage presentation. Once the appearance goal is clear, the next step is confirming that the chosen tire’s construction and wheel-width requirements match the actual wheels on the car.

Tires for the 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A are available from Michelin, Dunlop, and BFGoodrich. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 radial fitment, while BFGoodrich covers the 600-13 bias-ply fitment through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand choice should be considered alongside size, construction, and appearance rather than on its own. In this application, the brand often signals a different fitment path, since the radial and bias-ply offerings do not overlap in the same way. Comparing sidewall style, series, and wheel-width compatibility will usually be more useful than comparing brand names alone.

A period-style choice for a 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A usually starts with deciding whether the car should present as a bias-ply 600-13 car or as a 165R13 radial car. Both fitments belong in the conversation, but they create noticeably different visual and historical impressions.

The 600-13 bias-ply options lean toward a more vintage presentation, especially with whitewall styling, while the 165R13 radial choices maintain a classic European blackwall look. If exact originality matters beyond general period style, the safest route is to compare the tire choice against marque literature, restoration references, and the car’s own build history.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A more than many buyers expect. A 600-13 bias-ply gives the car a traditional vintage presentation, while a 165R13 radial carries a classic European road-tire appearance in blackwall form.

That visual difference influences how the whole car reads from the curb, especially on a compact sedan where tire proportion is easy to notice. Choosing between narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and blackwall also changes the tone of the restoration, so construction and sidewall style should be considered together rather than as separate decisions.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, or body alterations can all change how a 165R13 radial or 600-13 bias-ply sits in the wheel opening.

A 13-inch diameter alone does not settle the question. Checking the actual wheel width, steering clearance, and space at the fender and suspension is especially important if the car has been lowered, restored with replacement parts, or converted from one tire construction to another. Those checks matter before mounting, not after rubbing appears.

Before road use, inspect the wheel condition, verify that the tire size and construction match the intended setup, and confirm proper air pressure. It is also wise to look over the suspension and steering for looseness or wear, since an older BMW can feel very different once fresh tires are installed.

A short clearance check at full steering lock is worthwhile, especially if the car has non-original wheels or a recent tire conversion. After the first drives, recheck inflation and look for any signs of rubbing, uneven contact, or air loss. Those simple follow-up checks help catch fitment problems before they turn into tire or body damage.

Collector-car tires should be inspected regularly even when the 1972 BMW 2002 & 2002A is not driven often. Check for sidewall cracking, tread damage, bulges, slow air loss, and uneven wear, and keep inflation set appropriately for the tire in service so the casing is not stressed during storage or occasional use.

Storage conditions matter just as much as mileage on an older car. Keeping the BMW away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the tires, and moving the car periodically can reduce long-term flat-spotting. Any tire that shows visible deterioration or unexplained air loss deserves closer inspection before regular road driving.