1980 BMW 733i Tires

The 1980 BMW 733i uses two radial tire sizes: 205/70R14 and 220/55R390. Both apply to the 1980 BMW 733i Base, but they do not represent the same wheel format. The 205/70R14 is a conventional inch-based radial size, while 220/55R390 is a millimetric TRX-type size that requires the matching wheel standard.

The practical choice starts with the wheels currently on the car. A 14-inch wheel points to 205/70R14, while a TRX millimetric wheel requires 220/55R390. Many surviving cars have seen wheel changes over the years, so checking the actual wheel before ordering matters more than assuming every 733i still carries its original-era setup.

A 1980 BMW 733i can use either a 14-inch wheel with 205/70R14 tires or a 390-millimeter wheel with 220/55R390 tires. Those are two different standards, even though they may look similar at a glance. The tire size must match the wheel format exactly.

This is one of the most important checks on the car because a standard 14-inch radial tire is not chosen the same way as a millimetric TRX tire. Looking at the wheel and the current sidewall size marking is the safest starting point, especially on a car that may have changed hands, received replacement wheels, or been updated during past service.

The 1980 BMW 733i has more than one tire size because it could be equipped with either a conventional 14-inch radial setup or a millimetric TRX-style radial setup. That creates two legitimate fitment paths: 205/70R14 for the standard inch-based wheel and 220/55R390 for the specialized millimetric wheel.

For the owner, this means tire selection is really a wheel-identification question first. Once that is confirmed, the available choices become much clearer. The standard 205/70R14 opens up a wider range of replacement styles and brands, while the 220/55R390 path is more specialized and usually matters most to owners preserving a TRX-equipped period presentation.

The first consideration is using the correct size for the wheel currently on the car: 205/70R14 for a standard 14-inch setup or 220/55R390 for a millimetric TRX-style wheel. After that, the main factors are construction format, rim-width compatibility, intended appearance, and whether the car is being kept close to its period presentation or driven more regularly.

The 205/70R14 size gives more variety in brands and sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual redline, and raised white letter options. The 220/55R390 setup is much more specialized, so the decision there centers on retaining the TRX format. Matching the tire to the wheel, the car’s character, and actual road use will usually narrow the choice quickly.

For the 1980 BMW 733i, available sidewall styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual redline, and raised white letter, depending on the tire size and series selected. Most of that visual variety appears in 205/70R14, while the 220/55R390 Michelin TRX-B is offered as a blackwall radial.

Sidewall choice affects the car’s presentation as much as the brand name does. A blackwall tends to preserve a restrained European look, while whitewall or redline options create a more customized or period-flavored appearance. The right answer depends on whether the 733i is being kept understated, restoration-oriented, or tailored to a specific visual style from its era.

Tires for the 1980 BMW 733i are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. In 205/70R14, the choices include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin across several tire series. In 220/55R390, the available option is Michelin in the TRX-B line.

Brand choice should be considered alongside size, wheel type, and appearance details rather than as a separate decision. BFGoodrich offers several visual treatments in the standard 14-inch size, Maxxis brings a classic whitewall option, and Michelin covers both a conventional blackwall radial and the specialized TRX fitment. That makes the correct size and wheel format the first filter before comparing brand preferences.

A period-style 1980 BMW 733i tire choice starts with the wheel setup already on the car. A car on standard 14-inch wheels can use 205/70R14 in several traditional-looking radial options, while a car retaining its TRX-type wheels needs 220/55R390 to preserve that specialized millimetric fitment.

Appearance goals then shape the decision inside the correct size. Blackwall usually suits the 733i’s executive-sedan character, while redline, dual redline, or narrow whitewall choices create a more personalized period flavor. Owners pursuing exact historical accuracy should compare the car against marque references, period photography, or build-related documentation before settling on a final sidewall treatment.

On a restored 1980 BMW 733i, tire construction affects appearance mainly through the tire’s profile and sidewall presentation rather than a bias-ply-versus-radial decision, since the primary fitments here are radial. The more visible distinction is between a conventional 205/70R14 radial setup and the distinctive millimetric TRX-style 220/55R390 format.

That difference can influence how authentic the car looks to someone familiar with period BMW wheel and tire combinations. A standard radial setup offers more visual variety, while the TRX layout preserves a very specific late-1970s and early-1980s European character. Restored cars often benefit from matching the tire format to the wheels and overall presentation rather than choosing on size alone.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1980 BMW 733i, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, or body alterations. This matters even more here because the car may use either a standard 14-inch setup or a millimetric TRX wheel package, and those two formats require different tires from the start.

Wheel width, offset, ride height, and steering clearance should all be checked before changing sizes or ordering replacements. A 733i that has been lowered or converted to different wheels may need closer measurement than a stock example. Looking at the current wheel markings and confirming clearance at full steering lock can prevent expensive mistakes and unwanted rubbing.

Before driving a 1980 BMW 733i on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the wheel format, and make sure the tires are properly seated and inflated. It also helps to check valve stems, lug hardware, and basic alignment condition so the new tires are not compromised from the start.

A collector-era sedan that has spent time parked deserves a broader walkaround before regular road use. Look for suspension wear, uneven tire clearance, and any signs of contact in the wheelhouses or on steering components. A short, careful initial drive followed by a recheck of pressure and visual condition is a smart way to settle in a fresh set.

Tires on a collector 1980 BMW 733i should be maintained with regular pressure checks, routine visual inspection, and attention to age-related condition even if mileage stays low. Sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, and slow air loss all matter on a car that may sit for long periods between drives.

Storage conditions also make a difference. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve tire condition, while moving the car occasionally can help avoid long-term flat spotting. It is also wise to inspect the spare, confirm the wheels remain clean and undamaged at the beads, and review tire condition before any longer highway trip.