The 1987 Buick Somerset sits in Buick’s front-drive compact lineup at a point when styling, trim, and suspension character could noticeably change the personality of the car. That matters when choosing tires, because this model uses three different radial sizes across its covered sub-models: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14. The standard-size choices lean toward traditional whitewall or blackwall passenger-car presentation, while the T Type fitment moves to a 14-inch raised white letter performance-style radial. For a buyer, the real starting point is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter, then choosing the sidewall style and tire character that best match the car’s appearance and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Buick Somerset
Three tire sizes apply to the 1987 Buick Somerset, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes use 13-inch rims, while the T Type versions use a 14-inch rim with a different profile. Before selecting a tire, confirm whether the car is a Custom, Limited, Custom T Type, or Limited T Type, and verify the wheels currently on the car if it has been changed over the years.
185/80R13 is a metric radial size in which 185 refers to nominal section width in millimeters, 80 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Buick Somerset, this size suits 13-inch wheel applications and keeps a traditional passenger-car tire profile. Available choices include narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, and Coker Classic across different radial series. It is a strong fitment to evaluate when preserving a more formal late-1980s Buick appearance on the correct 13-inch wheel.
205/70R13 is a metric radial size with a 205-millimeter nominal section width, a 70-series profile, and a 13-inch rim diameter. That makes it a wider, lower-profile 13-inch radial than 185/80R13 while remaining within the same wheel diameter family used on certain 1987 Buick Somerset sub-models. In this size, the available product is a Michelin XDX blackwall from the Michelin XDX-B series, giving the car a more understated touring look. This size is worth checking closely when the car has 13-inch wheels but calls for a broader tread and lower sidewall profile.
215/60R14 is a metric radial size where 215 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, and 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Buick Somerset, this size is tied to the T Type sub-models and reflects a more performance-oriented fitment than the 13-inch sizes. The available choice in this size is a BFGoodrich Radial T/A with raised white letters, a presentation that matches the sportier character of the package. It should be evaluated with extra attention to wheel diameter and width, since moving between 13-inch and 14-inch setups is not a simple same-size decision.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Buick Somerset because tire size is not the same across the lineup. Custom and Limited models use 13-inch radial sizes, while the T Type versions move to a 14-inch radial, so identifying the exact trim is the first step before comparing tires.
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1987 Buick Somerset Custom
The 1987 Buick Somerset Custom uses 13-inch radial tire fitments, with both 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 associated with this sub-model. Tire selection here is less about construction choice and more about confirming the wheel setup, then choosing the sidewall style and profile that suit the car’s look and driving use.
The 1987 Buick Somerset Custom T Type uses the 215/60R14 radial size on a 14-inch wheel. That makes wheel confirmation especially important, and the available raised white letter tire gives this sub-model a distinctly sport-oriented appearance compared with the 13-inch Somerset fitments.
The 1987 Buick Somerset Limited uses the same 13-inch radial fitments associated with the non-T Type side of the lineup, including 185/80R13 and 205/70R13. Choosing between them starts with the wheels currently on the car, followed by whether a whitewall or blackwall presentation better matches the Limited’s appearance.
The 1987 Buick Somerset Limited T Type uses 215/60R14 radial tires on a 14-inch wheel. That points the buyer toward wheel verification first, then toward a performance-style tire choice that complements the T Type package rather than the more traditional whitewall look seen on some 13-inch Somerset options.
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 1987 Buick Somerset Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Buick Somerset tires span 13-inch and 14-inch radial fitments from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin. The main differences are sidewall style and tire character, including narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter options across several distinct radial series.
These FAQs focus on the tire sizes used on the 1987 Buick Somerset, how they vary by sub-model, and what to compare when choosing between whitewall, blackwall, or raised white letter radial options.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Buick Somerset?
The 1987 Buick Somerset uses three radial tire sizes: 185/80R13, 205/70R13, and 215/60R14. The 13-inch sizes apply to Custom and Limited models, while the T Type versions use 215/60R14 on a 14-inch wheel.
That means the first step is identifying the exact sub-model and confirming the wheel diameter actually on the car. Many surviving cars have had wheel changes over time, so checking the current wheel and existing tire size helps narrow the choice before comparing sidewall style, brand, and tire series.
What size rim does a 1987 Buick Somerset use?
A 1987 Buick Somerset uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on the sub-model and tire size. The 185/80R13 and 205/70R13 fitments use 13-inch wheels, while the 215/60R14 fitment uses a 14-inch wheel.
Wheel diameter is the critical checkpoint because a 13-inch tire and a 14-inch tire are not interchangeable. It also helps to verify wheel width before final selection, especially if the car has aftermarket wheels or if the original wheels have been replaced during restoration or previous ownership.
Why does the 1987 Buick Somerset have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Buick Somerset has more than one tire size because fitment varies by sub-model and wheel package. Custom and Limited models use 13-inch radial sizes, while Custom T Type and Limited T Type models step up to a 14-inch radial fitment with a different profile.
That difference changes more than the number on the sidewall, because it affects wheel diameter, sidewall shape, and the style of tire that suits the car. A buyer should match the tire size to the specific trim and wheel setup rather than assume every Somerset in the same model year uses the same tire.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Buick Somerset?
Start with the correct tire size for the exact sub-model, then compare the tire’s presentation and intended use. On a 1987 Buick Somerset, that may mean choosing between 13-inch whitewall or blackwall radials for Custom and Limited models, or a 14-inch raised white letter radial for a T Type.
After the size is confirmed, compare details that affect how the car looks and sits on the road, including rim-width compatibility, load figure, and tire series. A restoration-minded owner may lean toward a more formal whitewall appearance, while a sport-oriented T Type owner may want the period-style performance look of raised white letters.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Buick Somerset tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Buick Somerset include narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, blackwall, and raised white letter styles. The 13-inch fitments carry the whitewall and blackwall options, while the 215/60R14 T Type size is available with raised white letters.
That makes sidewall style one of the biggest visual decisions on this page. A whitewall can suit the dressier Buick presentation of a Custom or Limited, blackwall keeps the look understated, and raised white letters give the T Type a stronger late-1980s performance feel without changing the required primary size.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Buick Somerset?
Tires for the 1987 Buick Somerset are available from Maxxis, BFGoodrich, Coker Classic, and Michelin, depending on the size. Brand choice varies by fitment, so the available names differ between the 13-inch passenger-car sizes and the 14-inch T Type size.
Brand is only one part of the decision, because each size also brings its own sidewall treatments and tire series. The better approach is to confirm the correct fitment first, then compare the available brand within that size by sidewall appearance, wheel compatibility, and the type of driving the car is expected to see.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Buick Somerset?
A period-style choice for a 1987 Buick Somerset starts with matching the correct size to the correct sub-model. For Custom and Limited models, the 13-inch radial sizes offer whitewall and blackwall presentations, while the T Type fitment uses a 14-inch radial with a more performance-oriented raised white letter look.
Appearance should follow both trim level and wheel setup, especially on a car from the late 1980s where sidewall style changed the whole character of the vehicle. When exact originality matters, compare the tire choice against the car’s build history, surviving photos, or marque-specific references before settling on a final sidewall treatment.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Buick Somerset?
On the 1987 Buick Somerset, construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial tires. The visual difference comes less from bias-ply versus radial choice and more from the size, profile, and sidewall treatment used on the correct wheel diameter.
That means restoration appearance is shaped mainly by whether the car wears a tall-profile 13-inch whitewall or blackwall radial, or the lower-profile 14-inch raised white letter tire used on T Type models. Keeping the proper size family and wheel diameter usually matters more to the finished look than chasing small cosmetic details in isolation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Buick Somerset?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Buick Somerset even when the tire size itself is correct for the model. Aftermarket wheels, different wheel widths, suspension changes, or body alterations can all change how a 13-inch or 14-inch tire sits in the wheel opening.
A car that has been lowered, fitted with replacement springs, or changed to a different wheel package should be checked for steering clearance and fender room before a new set goes on. Confirming the actual wheel diameter and width on the car is especially important here because Somerset fitment already varies between 13-inch and 14-inch setups.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Buick Somerset on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Buick Somerset on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, then check valve stems, wheel condition, and proper mounting. It also makes sense to look over suspension and steering components so the new tires are not being fitted to a car with alignment or wear issues.
Once the tires are installed, verify inflation pressure, listen for rubbing during low-speed turns, and watch for any signs of interference over bumps. A short road test can reveal vibration, pull, or clearance issues early, which is especially useful on an older car that may no longer be on its original wheels or suspension parts.
How often should tires on a 1987 Buick Somerset be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Buick Somerset should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is collector-owned, seasonally driven, or stored for long periods. Look for air loss, uneven tread wear, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, and any signs that one tire is aging differently from the others.
A monthly visual check is a sensible routine, with a closer inspection before any longer drive. Cars that sit can develop age-related problems even when tread depth still looks usable, so condition matters as much as mileage. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources also helps preserve tire condition between drives.
