The 1984 BMW 733i sits in the era when BMW luxury sedans combined crisp road manners with understated executive design, and tire choice plays a big role in preserving that character today. This full-size 7 Series came at a time when European sedans were using increasingly specialized radial fitments, including both conventional inch-based and millimetric wheel-and-tire combinations. For the 1984 BMW 733i, the key fitment question centers on 205/70R14 versus 220/55R390 radial tires. Available choices range from traditional blackwall and whitewall looks to redline, dual-redline, and raised white letter styles. The right selection depends on the wheel setup already on the car, the appearance you want, and whether originality-minded presentation or practical road use matters more.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1984 BMW 733i
The 1984 BMW 733i uses two primary tire sizes, and choosing correctly starts with confirming which wheel setup is on the car. One fitment uses a conventional 14-inch radial, while the other uses the distinctive 220/55R390 millimetric radial format. Since the BMW 733i Base can appear with either size, wheel diameter and wheel type should be verified before comparing brands, sidewall styles, or period-appropriate tire presentation.
205/70R14 is a metric radial size where 205 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On a 1984 BMW 733i, this is the conventional inch-rim fitment and gives the broadest range of available choices. Options include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin, with sidewall treatments such as narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, raised white letter, and blackwall across series like Classic Whitewall MA-1, Radial T/A, Silvertown Radial, and Michelin XWX. This size is the one to evaluate if the car has standard 14-inch wheels and you want the widest appearance and brand selection.
220/55R390 is a metric radial size using a millimetric wheel diameter, with 220 indicating nominal section width, 55 identifying the aspect ratio, R marking radial construction, and 390 referring to a 390-millimeter rim rather than a 14-inch wheel. On the 1984 BMW 733i, this size belongs to the Michelin TRX-type wheel system rather than a conventional inch-based setup. The available product choice centers on the Michelin TRX-B blackwall, which keeps the tire and wheel format aligned with that specialized arrangement. This size should only be chosen after confirming the car still carries the correct millimetric wheels.
Fitment for the 1984 BMW 733i is simple in trim naming but still requires attention, because the Base model can use either of the two radial tire sizes. The important step is identifying whether the car has conventional 14-inch wheels or the millimetric TRX-style wheel setup before selecting a tire.
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1984 BMW 733i Base
The 1984 BMW 733i Base can use either a 205/70R14 radial or a 220/55R390 radial, so the tire decision depends on the actual wheels installed on the car. That makes wheel confirmation more important than trim identification, especially on cars that may have been converted from the original millimetric arrangement to a conventional inch-based wheel.
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 1984 BMW 733i Tires for Sale
Available 1984 BMW 733i tires include 205/70R14 choices from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin in several series and sidewall styles, while 220/55R390 centers on the Michelin TRX-B blackwall. The main comparison points are wheel format, sidewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility.
Owners of a 1984 BMW 733i usually need to sort out two things first: which tire size belongs on the car and whether it uses standard 14-inch wheels or the TRX millimetric setup. These FAQs cover fitment, sidewall and brand choices, restoration-minded selection, and practical road-use checks.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1984 BMW 733i?
The 1984 BMW 733i uses two radial tire sizes: 205/70R14 and 220/55R390. Both sizes appear on the 1984 BMW 733i Base, so tire selection is tied to the wheel setup on the car rather than to a different trim name.
That means the first step is checking whether the car has conventional 14-inch wheels or the specialized millimetric TRX-type wheels. A 205/70R14 tire belongs on a 14-inch rim, while a 220/55R390 tire belongs on a 390-millimeter rim, so choosing by appearance alone can lead to the wrong purchase.
What size rim does a 1984 BMW 733i use?
A 1984 BMW 733i can use either a 14-inch wheel with 205/70R14 tires or a 390-millimeter wheel with 220/55R390 tires. The two tire formats are not the same rim standard, even though both are radial designs for the same model year.
The practical takeaway is to measure or verify the wheel before replacing tires. Many surviving cars have had wheel changes over time, and the difference between an inch-based wheel and a millimetric TRX wheel matters more here than the sub-model name, since both fitments are tied to the 733i Base.
What does 220/55R390 mean on a 1984 BMW 733i?
220/55R390 is a metric radial tire size. The 220 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R means radial construction, and 390 is the wheel diameter in millimeters rather than inches.
That last number is what makes this fitment especially important to verify on a 1984 BMW 733i. A 390-millimeter tire is part of the Michelin TRX-style system and is not the same as a 14-inch tire, so the owner should confirm the actual wheel type before planning a replacement.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 205/70R14 tire for a 1984 BMW 733i?
A 205/70R14 tire for a 1984 BMW 733i should first match the car's actual 14-inch wheel setup, then be narrowed by appearance and product character. Available choices include blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and raised white letter styles across Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin offerings.
After confirming the size, compare the rim-width range that matches the wheel already on the car and decide whether the goal is a more traditional luxury-sedan look or a sportier visual treatment. The Michelin XWX, Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Classic Whitewall MA-1 lines each present the car differently without changing the primary fitment.
What sidewall styles are available for 1984 BMW 733i tires?
For the 1984 BMW 733i, available sidewall styles include blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and RWL on the 205/70R14 fitment. The 220/55R390 Michelin TRX-B is offered as a blackwall.
That variety lets the car lean more toward formal European luxury or toward a sportier period-inspired presentation, depending on the wheel setup and the overall look of the vehicle. Sidewall style should be chosen after the correct size is confirmed, since appearance options differ sharply between the 14-inch and TRX millimetric fitments.
What brands offer tires for the 1984 BMW 733i?
The 1984 BMW 733i has tire options from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. On the conventional 205/70R14 fitment, all three brands are represented, while the 220/55R390 millimetric fitment is centered on Michelin through the TRX-B series.
Brand choice should follow fitment confirmation, not replace it. Once the wheel format is established, the decision becomes one of sidewall treatment, series character, and wheel compatibility rather than simply picking a familiar name, since the available brand spread is much broader on 14-inch tires than on the TRX setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1984 BMW 733i?
A period-style 1984 BMW 733i tire choice starts with using the correct primary size for the wheels on the car, either 205/70R14 or 220/55R390. From there, blackwall options such as the Michelin XWX or Michelin TRX-B tend to suit the restrained European sedan character particularly well.
Some owners may prefer whitewall, redline, dual-redline, or raised white letter styling on the 205/70R14 fitment, especially if the car has been personalized. When exact originality matters, the safest path is to confirm the car's wheel setup and then compare the finished look against period photos, marque references, or restoration records.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1984 BMW 733i?
Tire construction is straightforward on a 1984 BMW 733i because both primary fitments are radial. The more visible appearance difference comes from the wheel-and-tire system itself, especially the contrast between a conventional 14-inch setup and the distinctive millimetric TRX arrangement.
Sidewall treatment then shapes the final presentation. A blackwall generally keeps the look clean and understated, while a narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, or raised white letter treatment changes the car's visual emphasis. For a restoration-minded result, matching the tire style to the car's wheel type and era presence matters more than chasing novelty.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1984 BMW 733i?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1984 BMW 733i, especially because this model may already have been changed from its original wheel arrangement. Aftermarket wheels, suspension alterations, or brake and hub changes can all influence which tire size and rim format the car can safely use.
That is why an owner should confirm actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fender and steering components before purchasing replacement tires. On this BMW, the difference between 14-inch and 390-millimeter wheel systems is especially important, so visual similarity should never be used as the only fitment check.
What should I inspect before driving a 1984 BMW 733i on new tires?
Before driving a 1984 BMW 733i on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the wheel diameter, and check that the tires are seated and inflated properly. It is also wise to look at valve stems, wheel balance, and any signs of rubbing near the suspension or bodywork.
A short initial road test can reveal vibration, pull, or clearance issues that are easier to address early. Since some cars have changed wheel types over the years, this inspection matters even more on a 733i that may have moved between TRX millimetric wheels and conventional 14-inch rims during its life.
How should tires on a collector 1984 BMW 733i be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1984 BMW 733i should be kept at the correct operating pressure for the tire being used, inspected regularly for cracking, cuts, bulges, and uneven wear, and checked for air loss during storage. Occasional-use cars often age their tires by time and environment long before the tread looks worn out.
Storage conditions make a noticeable difference. Keeping the BMW away from prolonged sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve the rubber, and moving the car periodically can reduce flat spotting. Before any longer drive, inspect the tires closely and confirm that the wheel-and-tire combination still matches the car's current setup.
