1973 BMW Tire Fitment Guide

1973 BMW vehicles use five sizes across four model lines: 165R13 and 600-13 for the BMW 2002, 175R14 and DR70-14 for the BMW 2500 and BMW 2800, and 175R14 plus 195/70R14 for the BMW 3.0. The 2002 uses 13-inch tires, while the 2500, 2800, and 3.0 use 14-inch tires. Where rim width information is available, 165R13 fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, 600-13 fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, and 175R14 fits 4.5 to 6.0-inch rims.

That means a 1973 BMW owner needs to identify the exact model before choosing a tire, because the year and make alone do not narrow the fitment enough. Once the model is confirmed, the next step is matching the tire to the wheel diameter already on the car and then deciding whether the goal is period-correct appearance, original-style construction, or a radial setup more in line with regular road use.

On a 1973 BMW, 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. The 6.00 portion refers to the nominal section width, and the 13 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the BMW 2002, that size belongs to the original-style 13-inch fitment family and is paired with bias-ply construction rather than radial construction.

That code matters because it points you toward a different ownership experience than a 165R13 radial. A 600-13 works best for owners pursuing an older appearance and a more era-authentic setup, especially on a 2002 being restored with originality in mind. It is also important to confirm your wheel width before ordering, since the available 600-13 fitment range is narrower than the radial 165R13 range.

On 1973 BMW tires, 165R13 and 175R14 are Euro-metric radial sizes. The first number is the nominal section width in millimeters, the R identifies radial construction, and the final number is the rim diameter in inches. Because no aspect ratio is printed, these sizes follow the conventional Euro-metric format commonly associated with roughly 80-series radial proportions.

For a buyer, that means these sizes are not interchangeable simply because they are both radial. A 165R13 belongs to the 13-inch 2002 fitment group, while 175R14 belongs to the 14-inch six-cylinder BMW group and is shared by the 2500, 2800, and 3.0. The code gives you the width and wheel diameter immediately, so it is the quickest way to confirm whether a tire belongs to your BMW before comparing brands or sidewall details.

If your 1973 BMW is a 2002, both 165R13 and 600-13 fall within that model’s fitment family, but they represent different construction types. The 165R13 is a radial in European metric form, while the 600-13 is a numeric bias-ply size. That makes the decision less about basic wheel diameter and more about whether you want a radial setup or a traditional bias-ply presentation on the car.

A 600-13 is the more natural choice when visual authenticity and period style matter most, especially because it is offered with whitewall sidewall treatments. A 165R13 radial is better aligned with owners who want a later-style road-going feel while staying in the correct 13-inch category for the 2002. Checking the actual wheel width on the car is still important, since the bias-ply and radial sizes use different approved rim-width ranges.

Sidewall style depends on size for 1973 BMW applications. The radial sizes 165R13, 175R14, and 195/70R14 are available in blackwall form, while the 600-13 bias-ply size for the 2002 comes in narrow whitewall and wide whitewall versions. That creates a clear visual split between the more European sporting radial look and a more traditional bias-ply presentation.

For most 1973 BMW restorations and driver-oriented builds, blackwall radials generally align more closely with the marque’s market identity in that era, especially on six-cylinder cars. The whitewall 600-13 options are more of a stylistic and period-look choice within the 2002’s bias-ply range rather than a universal BMW look for the whole year. If appearance matters as much as fitment, pick the sidewall style at the same time you confirm the correct size and construction.

1973 BMW tire coverage comes from Michelin, Dunlop, BFGoodrich, and Vredestein. Michelin and Dunlop cover the 165R13 size, BFGoodrich covers the 600-13 bias-ply size, Michelin and Vredestein cover 175R14, and Dunlop covers 195/70R14. Each brand appears in a size and construction role that matches a distinct part of the 1973 BMW range.

That brand spread gives owners a useful way to narrow choices after the size is confirmed. A 2002 owner deciding between 165R13 and 600-13 is also choosing between radial and bias-ply product families, while 14-inch BMW owners can compare Michelin, Vredestein, and Dunlop depending on the exact size their model uses. Once the brand field is narrowed, sidewall style, speed rating, and wheel-width compatibility become the details that matter most.

Rim width requirements vary by size on 1973 BMW vehicles. The 165R13 radial fits 4.50 to 6.00-inch rims, the 600-13 bias-ply fits 4.00 to 4.50-inch rims, and the 175R14 radial fits 4.5 to 6.0-inch rims. Those ranges are broad enough to cover several wheel configurations, but they are not interchangeable just because two tires may share the same diameter.

The practical takeaway is to measure or confirm the actual wheel before settling on a tire, especially on cars that may have had wheels changed during restoration or ownership. A 2002 owner comparing 600-13 and 165R13 should pay especially close attention because both mount on 13-inch rims but do not share the same rim-width window. That wheel check is one of the simplest ways to avoid a mismatched stance or mounting issue.

Inner-tube requirements depend on the exact tire product chosen for a 1973 BMW. The 165R13 Michelin products are marked tubeless, while the Dunlop 165R13 entry does not carry a tube-type marker in the size notation shown. Across the other covered sizes, tube status is not uniformly marked in a way that supports a one-answer rule for every tire in the 1973 BMW range.

That makes the wheel itself just as important as the tire. Original wheel condition, whether the wheel is designed for tubeless service, and the exact sidewall marking on the tire should all be checked before final assembly. If your BMW still wears original wheels, have the rim inspected carefully and verify the tire’s own designation so a tube decision is made by the actual product and wheel combination, not by assumption.

A 1973 BMW should be stored in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, welders, battery chargers, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age rubber. Keep the tires properly inflated during storage and move the car periodically so one spot is not carrying the full load for months at a time. If the car will sit for a long season, support methods that reduce constant weight on the tires can also help.

That matters even more if your 1973 BMW wears bias-ply tires such as 600-13 on a 2002, because bias-ply construction is generally more prone to flat-spotting during long static storage than a radial. Radials still benefit from the same precautions, especially on collector cars that are driven infrequently. Good storage habits preserve appearance and drivability and reduce the chance that an otherwise sound tire ages out early from environmental damage.

Tires on a 1973 BMW should be judged by age and condition at least as much as by tread depth, because collector cars often accumulate little mileage. A sensible rule is to begin close inspection and professional evaluation once tires reach roughly five to seven years of age, with replacement becoming a serious consideration as they approach ten years. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the best reference point for that timeline.

A lightly driven 2002, 2500, 2800, or 3.0 can look fine and still be carrying aged rubber that has hardened or begun to crack. Owners sometimes focus on originality or appearance and overlook the tire’s actual age, especially if the tread still looks healthy. A date-code check during routine maintenance is one of the easiest ways to keep a seldom-driven BMW safer and more dependable on the road.

Tires on a 1973 BMW deserve a quick inspection before every drive and a more careful inspection before any extended outing. Look for sidewall cracking, uneven wear, tread damage, bulges, punctures, and any pressure loss that suggests a sealing or valve issue. On older collector cars, that routine matters as much as annual mileage because the car’s age and storage habits influence tire condition continuously.

The inspection should also include the spare, since a period BMW often travels with a spare that may be far older than the road tires. If your car uses a tube-type setup or has been converted in a way that requires tubes, valve stem condition becomes even more important during checks. Catching a small crack, slow leak, or developing flat spot in the garage is far easier than discovering it during a long highway run.

For a 1973 BMW 2002, the fitment family includes both 600-13 bias-ply and 165R13 radial sizes, and the broader historical context matters here. By the early 1970s, BMW was firmly associated with radial tire use in many markets, especially on sporting sedans, while bias-ply construction remained part of the replacement landscape and period-style restoration conversation. That means a 165R13 radial often aligns closely with the 2002’s European character, while 600-13 reflects an older construction style within the same 13-inch fitment family.

For a true authenticity judgment, the safest next step is checking factory literature, surviving delivery paperwork, or a knowledgeable BMW marque specialist, since market and delivery variations can matter. Tire brand should not be guessed simply from period reputation, but size, construction, and sidewall style are all central to getting the look right. If the car is being judged, confirming whether the event expects radial correctness or a broader period-correct presentation is worthwhile before final selection.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1973 BMW because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts often notice tire size, sidewall style, and construction immediately. A 2002 wearing a visibly incorrect whitewall treatment for the intended presentation, or a six-cylinder car wearing the wrong wheel-diameter family, can stand out in the wrong way. On authenticity-focused cars, the difference between a period-style bias-ply and a European-style radial can also change how convincing the restoration feels.

That does not mean every event applies the same standard, since local shows, marque gatherings, and concours-level judging can weigh originality differently. Owners should match the tire to the goal of the car: preservation, period appearance, or regular touring with a vintage look. If the event is serious about originality, confirm accepted size, construction, and sidewall expectations with a BMW club judge or event rules before committing to a final setup.

For the 1973 BMW sizes covered by 175R14, Michelin XAS and Vredestein Sprint Classic are both blackwall radials, but their details differ. The Michelin XAS appears in 175HR14 form with a 14-inch rim diameter and a 4.50 to 6.00-inch rim-width range, while the Vredestein Sprint Classic also uses 175HR14, carries a maximum load capacity of 1,235 pounds at 51 psi, and fits a 4.5 to 6.0-inch rim-width range. Both carry H-speed-rated sizing to 130 mph where marked.

In practical terms, that means the choice is less about basic fitment and more about the character of the tire family you want on the car. Owners restoring a larger 1973 BMW often compare these kinds of period-style European radials when visual authenticity and era-appropriate road manners both matter. Once the size is confirmed, details such as sidewall presentation, brand preference, and the exact wheel already on the car become the tie-breakers.

1973 BMW tires can be suitable for highway driving when the correct size is chosen, the tire is in sound condition, and its speed rating matches the way the car will be used. The covered radial range includes H-rated products in 165R13 and 175R14, which carry a 130 mph ceiling, and a V-rated 195/70R14 with a 149 mph ceiling. The 600-13 bias-ply option is a very different kind of tire and should be approached with period-car expectations rather than modern-sedan assumptions.

On a 1973 BMW, highway confidence depends on more than the tire alone. Brake condition, suspension health, steering components, alignment, and the age of the tire itself often matter more at normal cruising speeds than the headline speed symbol. A fresh, correctly fitted radial on a well-sorted BMW 2002, 2500, 2800, or 3.0 is a very different proposition from an aged tire on a car that has sat unused for long periods.

Inflation pressure on a 1973 BMW should start with the factory recommendation for the exact model and size, then be checked against the tire manufacturer’s rated information for the product you are using. Where load-and-pressure figures are available, the 600-13 carries 1,010 pounds at 32 psi, and the Vredestein 175R14 carries 1,235 pounds at 51 psi. Those numbers are load-capacity references for those specific tires and should not be transferred across the full 1973 BMW range.

That is especially important because the year includes both 13-inch and 14-inch fitments as well as both bias-ply and radial construction. A pressure that suits one tire can feel wrong or wear poorly on another, even on the same make and model family. Use the owner’s manual or factory placard as the baseline, then confirm that your chosen tire’s operating range supports that application rather than assuming all period BMW tires share one pressure target.

Before a longer drive in a 1973 BMW, inspect all four tires and the spare for cracking, cuts, bulges, abnormal wear, and proper inflation. Check that the valve stems are sound, the tread is free of embedded damage, and the tires are holding pressure consistently after the car has been parked. If the BMW has older wheels or has spent long periods in storage, a close look at bead seating and general wheel condition is also worthwhile.

Tire readiness is only one part of the larger pre-drive routine a 1973 BMW deserves. Brakes, steering, wheel bearings, cooling, and fuel hoses can be just as important on a vintage German car heading out for sustained road use. Still, the tires are the final contact point with the road, so confirming size, age, condition, and inflation before departure is one of the smartest checks you can make.