The 1987 Nissan Maxima sits in the middle of Nissan’s shift toward a more refined, modern sport sedan, blending front-wheel-drive packaging with a distinctly upscale feel for the era. Buyers who keep these cars on the road today usually want a tire that preserves that balanced character without losing sight of period appearance. The 1987 Nissan Maxima uses a 195/60R15 radial tire on a 15-inch rim, and that fitment is shared across both GXE and SE sub-models. Available choices range from blackwall and raised white letter styles to redline and wide whitewall radials. The real decision is less about size and more about matching appearance, driving use, and wheel compatibility.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Nissan Maxima
The 1987 Nissan Maxima uses one primary tire size: 195/60R15. It is a radial fitment on a 15-inch rim, and that same size carries across the GXE and SE. With the size already established, the main choice becomes selecting the right radial within that fitment, whether the priority is a more modern blackwall look, a period-style sidewall treatment, or a tire series that suits the car’s intended use.
A 195/60R15 tire uses a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 15-inch rim diameter. For the 1987 Nissan Maxima, that makes it a modern metric radial size rather than an older numeric or alphanumeric vintage format. Within this size, available choices include BFGoodrich and Michelin tires with blackwall, wide whitewall, redline, and RWL sidewall styles across series such as Silvertown Radial, Radial T/A, and Michelin Primacy 3. That gives owners room to tailor the car toward a cleaner modern presentation or a more restoration-minded look while staying with the correct primary fitment.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1987 Nissan Maxima sub-models because both use the same 195/60R15 radial size. Checking the sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on its original wheel setup before choosing among the available tire styles and series.
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1987 Nissan Maxima GXE
The 1987 Nissan Maxima GXE uses the same 195/60R15 radial fitment as the other covered sub-model. That keeps the size decision simple, so selection usually comes down to whether the car needs a standard blackwall-style road tire or a more distinctive sidewall treatment for appearance.
The 1987 Nissan Maxima SE also uses the 195/60R15 radial tire size on a 15-inch rim. Since the fitment matches the GXE, the focus shifts to choosing the right tire series and sidewall style, then confirming wheel width and overall clearance if the car has been modified.
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 Nissan Maxima Tires for Sale
Available 195/60R15 options include BFGoodrich and Michelin radials in several distinct presentations, including blackwall, RWL, redline, and wide whitewall styles. The product grid is most useful for comparing tire series, sidewall appearance, and rim-width compatibility within the same core size.
These FAQs focus on the 1987 Nissan Maxima’s 195/60R15 fitment, 15-inch rim compatibility, available radial tire styles, and the checks worth making before putting a collector-era Maxima back into regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Nissan Maxima?
The 1987 Nissan Maxima uses a 195/60R15 radial tire. That is the primary tire size for both the GXE and SE sub-models, so the fitment question is mostly straightforward unless the car has been changed from its original wheel setup.
Because the size is shared across the covered sub-models, the next step is choosing the right tire within that fitment rather than sorting through multiple primary sizes. It is still smart to confirm that the car is on 15-inch wheels and that wheel width falls within the tire’s usable range before selecting among blackwall, RWL, redline, or wide whitewall options.
What size rim does a 1987 Nissan Maxima use?
The 1987 Nissan Maxima uses a 15-inch rim with its 195/60R15 tire size. Available tires in this fitment are built for that 15-inch wheel diameter, and several product options also note rim-width compatibility in the 5.5- to 7-inch range.
Rim diameter is the first thing to verify because a 15-inch tire must be mounted on a 15-inch wheel. After that, check the actual wheel width on the car, especially if it has aftermarket wheels, since a tire can have the correct size code but still need a wheel width that matches the product’s intended mounting range.
Do all 1987 Nissan Maxima sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1987 Nissan Maxima sub-models use the same 195/60R15 radial tire size. Both the GXE and SE share that fitment, which simplifies replacement sizing and keeps the focus on tire type, sidewall style, and product choice.
Shared sizing does not always mean every car is still wearing its original wheel package, particularly on older driver-quality or enthusiast-owned vehicles. A quick check of the wheel diameter and width helps avoid ordering a tire based only on the badge or trim name, especially if the Maxima has had wheels, suspension, or stance-related changes over the years.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 195/60R15 tire for a 1987 Nissan Maxima?
Start with the core fitment: 195/60R15 radial on a 15-inch rim. From there, compare the tire’s sidewall style, tire series, rim-width range, and any stated load information if it is included, since those details affect how the tire suits the car’s appearance and intended use.
A Maxima kept close to its late-1980s character may call for a different look than one used as a straightforward road car. Blackwall, RWL, redline, and wide whitewall choices create very different visual results, so the best pick depends on whether the goal is a restrained modern appearance, a sportier period-style look, or a more custom presentation.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Nissan Maxima tires?
The available 195/60R15 tires for a 1987 Nissan Maxima include several sidewall treatments: blackwall, RWL, redline, and wide whitewall. Those styles all stay within the same basic tire size, but they change the car’s appearance significantly.
That makes sidewall choice one of the biggest visual decisions on this Maxima. A blackwall keeps the look more understated, RWL brings in a sport-oriented late-period flavor, and redline or wide whitewall options lean more toward personalized or restoration-minded presentation. Once the style direction is clear, compare series and wheel-width compatibility to narrow the final choice.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Nissan Maxima?
195/60R15 tires for the 1987 Nissan Maxima are available from BFGoodrich and Michelin. The BFGoodrich offerings cover several different visual styles and series, while Michelin provides a blackwall radial option in the same size.
Brand alone is only part of the decision, since the available tires also differ by series, sidewall treatment, and some specification details such as rim-width range and listed weight. A useful way to compare them is to decide whether appearance, general road use, or maintaining a more period-style presentation matters most for the particular Maxima.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Nissan Maxima?
A period-style 1987 Nissan Maxima should still begin with the correct 195/60R15 radial size. From there, the visual direction matters: blackwall keeps the look restrained, RWL adds a sport-oriented late-1980s feel, and redline or wide whitewall choices create a more specialized appearance within the same basic fitment.
The right answer depends on how faithfully the car is being presented and whether it is meant to reflect stock-era character or a more personalized period look. When exact originality matters, it is worth checking model-specific literature, dealer material, or marque-club references before choosing a sidewall style that becomes a major part of the car’s visual stance.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Nissan Maxima?
On a 1987 Nissan Maxima, tire construction is already part of the period story because the primary fitment is a radial 195/60R15. That means appearance is shaped less by choosing between bias-ply and radial, and more by selecting the sidewall treatment and tire series within the correct radial size.
A restored Maxima can look noticeably different depending on whether it wears a plain blackwall, RWL, redline, or wide whitewall radial. Keeping the correct size and wheel diameter helps preserve the car’s proportions, while the sidewall style influences whether the final result reads as understated, sporty, or more custom than stock in overall presentation.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Nissan Maxima?
Yes. A 1987 Nissan Maxima may have the correct original tire size of 195/60R15, but aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, altered ride height, or body modifications can all affect whether a given tire setup clears properly. Even within the same nominal size, wheel width and overall package details still matter.
Cars from this era are often modified over time, so it helps to check the actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance at the fender, suspension, and steering components before mounting new tires. That is especially important if the Maxima has been lowered, fitted with non-stock wheels, or set up for a different stance than standard ride height.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Nissan Maxima on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the 15-inch wheel diameter, and make sure the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It is also wise to check for suspension wear, loose steering components, brake issues, and any signs that old tires may have been rubbing or wearing unevenly.
A new set of tires can only perform as intended if the rest of the chassis is in sound condition. On a collector-era Maxima that may sit for long periods, look closely for fluid leaks, hardened rubber parts, alignment-related wear, and air loss after installation. A careful once-over before regular driving helps prevent blaming the tires for problems elsewhere in the car.
How should 195/60R15 tires on a collector 1987 Nissan Maxima be maintained?
195/60R15 tires on a collector 1987 Nissan Maxima should be checked regularly for air pressure, uneven tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and any sign of slow leakage. Cars that spend long periods parked deserve extra attention because tire aging can happen even when tread depth still looks acceptable.
Storage conditions matter as much as mileage on an older enthusiast car. Keeping the Maxima away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources can help protect the tires between drives. It also helps to move the car periodically or avoid letting it sit on underinflated tires, since long stationary periods can create shape or wear issues over time.
