1987 BMW 735i Tires

A 1987 BMW 735i uses either 205/70R14 or 220/55R390, and both are radial tire sizes. The key difference is that 205/70R14 fits a conventional 14-inch wheel, while 220/55R390 belongs to the Michelin TRX millimetric wheel system.

Choosing between them starts with the wheels currently on the car, not with appearance or brand preference. A 14-inch tire does not belong on a 390mm wheel, and a TRX tire does not belong on a standard 14-inch rim, so wheel identification should come before any tire purchase decision.

The 1987 BMW 735i can be found with two different wheel-diameter systems depending on the tire fitment. The 205/70R14 size uses a 14-inch rim, while the 220/55R390 size uses a 390mm millimetric rim as part of the Michelin TRX arrangement.

That distinction matters because inch-based and millimetric wheel systems are not interchangeable. Before selecting tires, check the markings on the existing tire and wheel, and confirm whether the car has conventional inch wheels or TRX wheels so the tire size, bead seat, and rim-width range all stay in the correct family.

The 1987 BMW 735i Base can use the same two tire sizes associated with this model: 205/70R14 and 220/55R390. Both are radial fitments, but they represent different wheel systems rather than interchangeable alternatives on the same rim.

That means the real question is not trim level, but which wheels are on the individual car today. A well-preserved sedan may still have its TRX setup, while another may wear standard 14-inch wheels, so checking the current wheel and tire markings is the fastest way to narrow the correct fitment.

Start with the correct size, radial construction, and wheel compatibility, then compare the available 205/70R14 choices by brand, tire series, sidewall style, rim-width range, and load specification where shown. For this BMW, options include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin across several distinct visual styles.

The next decision is how the car will be used and how original-looking you want it to appear. A blackwall Michelin XWX gives a different presentation than a narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, or RWL tire, so the right pick depends on whether the goal is restrained European touring style, a personalized period look, or regular collector-car road use.

The 1987 BMW 735i has meaningful sidewall variety in the available tire selections. Within the applicable products, sidewall treatments include blackwall, narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and RWL, which is raised white letter styling.

Those choices affect the car’s appearance far more than many buyers expect, especially on a large 1980s European sedan. A blackwall usually keeps the presentation more understated, while whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and raised white letters introduce a more customized period-style look, so the sidewall decision should match the overall character you want the car to project.

Available tire brands for the 1987 BMW 735i include Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Michelin. The 205/70R14 fitment offers the broadest brand spread, while the 220/55R390 TRX fitment is represented here by Michelin through the TRX-B line.

Brand choice should be considered alongside size, wheel type, and tire series rather than treated as the only decision. Once the wheel setup is confirmed, compare how each brand’s available product aligns with the car’s intended look, the sidewall treatment you prefer, and the rim-width range that matches the wheels already on the vehicle.

A period-style 1987 BMW 735i tire choice starts with keeping the car in its correct fitment family. That means selecting 205/70R14 for a conventional 14-inch wheel setup or 220/55R390 for a car retaining the Michelin TRX millimetric wheel arrangement.

After that, appearance becomes the deciding factor. A blackwall radial often suits the restrained executive-sedan character of the 7 Series, while whitewall, redline, dual-redline, or RWL options create a more individualized vintage presentation; buyers pursuing exact originality should compare those choices against marque-specific historical references for their own car.

On the 1987 BMW 735i, construction is less about bias-ply versus radial and more about staying within the correct radial fitment for the wheel system in use. Both primary sizes for this car are radial, but the conventional 14-inch setup and the TRX millimetric setup create different visual and historical impressions.

A restored car on TRX wheels presents a distinctly late-1980s European look, while a 205/70R14 setup opens the door to more sidewall variations and a different stance in photos and at shows. Keeping the correct size family and wheel type aligned usually matters more to appearance than chasing decorative details first.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 BMW 735i even when the tire size itself is correct. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body modifications can change clearance at the fenders, steering components, and suspension, especially during turns or full suspension travel.

That matters even more on a car with two possible wheel systems, because the first fitment question is already wheel-related. Any time the car has been changed from stock, verify wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at both the front and rear before assuming that the original tire-size family will behave the same as it did when new.

Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the wheel system, and check that the tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for the application. A visual inspection should also cover suspension wear, brake condition, and obvious clearance concerns at the inner fenders and steering range.

A collector-era sedan may sit for long periods, so it is also smart to look for old cracking, flat spotting, or uneven wear on any tires being replaced and to confirm the alignment is not pulling the new set off center. A short, careful test drive can reveal rubbing, vibration, or handling issues before longer highway use.

Collector-car tires on a 1987 BMW 735i should be checked regularly for air loss, tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and age-related deterioration. Keeping the car stored away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources also helps preserve the condition of both conventional radial and TRX-style tires.

Consistent maintenance matters because low-mileage cars can still develop tire problems long before the tread appears worn out. Rolling the car periodically, keeping inflation monitored, and rechecking condition before each driving season helps catch issues early, particularly on cars that spend much more time parked than they do on the road.