1979 BMW Tire Fitment Guide

1979 BMW vehicles use five tire sizes across the model range: 185/70R13 for the 320i and 320iA, 185/70R14 for the 528i and 528iA, 195/70R14 for the 633 CSi and CSiA, and both 205/70R14 and 220/55R390 for the 733i. The first four sizes mount on conventional inch-diameter wheels, while 220/55R390 mounts on a 390mm metric TRX wheel. Rim width coverage within the available products runs from 4.5 to 6.5 inches for the 185-section sizes, 5.0 to 7.5 inches for 205/70R14, and 135mm, 150mm, or 180mm for the TRX size.

That means year and make alone are not enough to choose a tire for a 1979 BMW. You need to confirm the exact model first, and for a 733i you also need to confirm whether the car still has conventional 14-inch wheels or metric TRX wheels. Once that is established, the size choice becomes much more straightforward and you can focus on sidewall style, brand preference, and the driving character you want to preserve.

On a 1979 BMW, 185/70R13 is a metric radial size. The 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On this year’s BMW range, that size belongs to the 320i and 320iA, making it the compact 3 Series fitment rather than a shared BMW size.

Understanding that code helps avoid a common mistake with late-1970s European cars, where sizes can look similar but belong to very different wheel diameters or model lines. A 185/70R13 tire cannot substitute for a 185/70R14 simply because the section width matches. For a 320i owner, the important next step is confirming the car still uses the correct 13-inch wheels before choosing between blackwall, redline, or whitewall products in that size.

On a 1979 BMW, 220/55R390 is a metric radial TRX size rather than a conventional inch-based radial. The 220 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 55 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 390 is the wheel diameter in millimeters. On the 1979 BMW range, this size applies to certain 733i applications and fits TRX wheels only.

That final 390 figure is the critical detail, because it means a standard 14-inch tire will not mount on the same wheel even though the overall fitment may seem similar at a glance. Owners of a 733i should inspect the wheel and sidewall carefully before ordering. If the car still wears TRX wheels and the goal is to keep that original metric system intact, 220/55R390 is the size to pursue.

1979 BMW tire choices range from understated blackwalls to more stylized period sidewalls, depending on size. Blackwall options appear in every size, while 185/70R13 also comes in redline and wide whitewall, 185/70R14 adds wide whitewall, and 205/70R14 opens up narrow whitewall, redline, dual-redline, and raised white letter treatments. The 195/70R14 and 220/55R390 offerings stay blackwall only, which aligns naturally with the more European presentation of the 633 CSi and TRX-equipped 733i.

For most restorations of a late-1970s BMW, blackwall is the safest visual direction unless the car has been built to a period-custom style. Redlines, whitewalls, and raised white letters can create a distinctly different look, especially on a 320i or 733i, but they change the car’s character more than the underlying size does. If appearance matters as much as fitment, settle the sidewall treatment before narrowing to a brand.

1979 BMW tire coverage includes BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Maxxis, with brand availability changing by size. BFGoodrich, Avon, and Dunlop cover 185/70R13; BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, and Michelin cover 185/70R14; Dunlop covers 195/70R14; Maxxis and BFGoodrich cover 205/70R14; and Michelin covers 220/55R390. That spread gives smaller BMWs, mid-size sedans, and the big 733i different mixes of touring-style, sporting, and appearance-oriented options.

Brand choice should follow size and wheel type, not the other way around. A 528i owner, for example, has a broader mix of brands than a 633 CSi owner, while a TRX-equipped 733i belongs in a much narrower lane because the wheel system itself is specialized. Once the correct size is confirmed, you can compare whether you want a traditional blackwall European look, a heritage-style reproduction treatment, or a more distinctive sidewall design.

For a 1979 BMW in 185/70R13 or 185/70R14, BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial and Avon CR6ZZ approach the same size from different angles. The BFGoodrich options in those sizes carry redline or wide whitewall styling and fit rim-width ranges of 5.00 to 6.50 inches, while the Avon CR6ZZ is a blackwall radial with rim-width ranges of 4.5 to 6.0 inches. In 185/70R13, Avon appears with an H speed rating to 130 mph, while BFGoodrich uses a simpler reproduction-style size marking without a speed letter shown in the sidewall description.

That makes the choice as much about presentation as specification. The Avon suits owners who want a more European blackwall look in keeping with BMW’s original market character, while the BFGoodrich products speak more to period-style accent sidewalls. Before deciding, verify the wheel width on your car and compare how closely you want the tire’s appearance to echo a factory German sedan versus a personalized late-1970s look.

Rim width requirements on 1979 BMW tires depend on the size. In 185/70R13, available products cover 4.5 to 6.0 inches and 5.00 to 6.50 inches. In 185/70R14, coverage runs from 4.50 to 6.00 inches and 5.00 to 6.50 inches. In 205/70R14, the range expands to 5.00 to 7.00 inches and 5.50 to 7.50 inches. The 220/55R390 TRX size uses metric wheel widths of 135mm, 150mm, or 180mm.

That range is why wheel verification matters even when the size code itself looks correct. A tire may share the right diameter and section width but still be a better match to one wheel width than another. If your BMW has aftermarket wheels, or if a 733i has been converted away from TRX wheels at some point in its life, confirm the actual wheel dimensions before choosing among the tires that fit the nominal size.

Most 1979 BMW tire options are presented as radials without a separate tube-type marking, and the 220/55R390 Michelin TRX-B is clearly marked TL for tubeless use. The 185/70R14 size is the one area where tube status varies by product, because the Michelin XAS is marked TL while other products in that same size do not use the same sidewall notation. That makes tube fitment a product-by-product question rather than a uniform rule for every 1979 BMW tire.

The practical step is to match the tire not only to the size, but also to the wheel construction and the exact sidewall marking on the product you choose. Original BMW road wheels of this era were generally built around tubeless radial use, but age, corrosion, wheel repairs, and specialized wheel designs can change what is appropriate. If there is any doubt, inspect the wheel carefully and confirm the recommendation for that specific tire.

Original 1979 BMW wheels cannot be treated as interchangeable across the whole model range. The 320i uses 13-inch tires, the 528i and 633 CSi use different 14-inch sizes, the 733i can use a conventional 14-inch size, and some 733i applications use a 390mm TRX wheel that accepts only 220/55R390 tires. Wheel diameter is the first dividing line, and the TRX system is a separate standard altogether.

That means original wheels can usually stay in service when you remain within the correct size family for the exact model, but they should not be assumed to accept another BMW size just because it came from the same year. A 733i owner especially needs to identify whether the car still wears metric TRX wheels or has conventional inch-based wheels. Once that is settled, rim width and tire style become the next fitting decisions.

A 1979 BMW stores best in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, electric motors, battery chargers, furnaces, and other ozone-producing equipment that can age sidewalls prematurely. Keep the tires clean, maintain inflation, and move the car periodically so one spot is not loaded for months at a time. Radials generally tolerate storage better than older bias-ply designs, but long static periods can still create flat-spotting and accelerate cosmetic cracking if conditions are poor.

If the car will sit for an extended season, many collectors either roll it occasionally or support it in a way that reduces prolonged stress on the tires. That matters on a lightly used BMW because tread may still look fresh long after the rubber itself has begun to age. Good storage habits preserve ride quality, sidewall appearance, and confidence when the car finally goes back on the road.

On a collector-driven 1979 BMW, tire age is usually more important than mileage. A sensible rule is to begin evaluating tires closely once they reach about five to seven years from their date of manufacture, and to treat around ten years as the point where replacement deserves serious consideration even if tread depth still appears strong. The DOT date code on the sidewall is the best quick reference for determining that age.

That matters because many classic BMWs cover only modest annual mileage, so old tires can appear serviceable while losing flexibility and structural confidence. Storage conditions, inflation habits, and climate all influence how quickly aging shows up. If your car still rides on older rubber and you are planning more regular driving, replacing by age rather than waiting for visible wear is usually the wiser course.

Tires on a 1979 BMW should be inspected before every drive, with a more thorough check before any longer trip or highway outing. Look for sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, irregular tread wear, and signs of pressure loss. On cars using tubeless products, pay attention to the bead area and valve stems, and on any setup where tube use is being considered, include the valve hardware and wheel condition in the inspection routine.

Frequent inspection makes sense because a collector BMW may sit for weeks and then be expected to perform at full confidence on the next outing. Early warning signs often appear visually before they become a roadside problem. A simple habit of checking pressures, sidewalls, and the spare can catch aging or fitment issues before they affect ride quality, steering feel, or safety.

A 1979 BMW 320i would have been built around radial tires, and the size used on the 320i and 320iA is 185/70R13. That late-1970s BMW fitment belongs squarely in the era when European sedans had already embraced radial construction as standard practice. A blackwall radial is the most natural visual and historical match for a factory-style restoration, while sidewall accent treatments such as redline or wide whitewall create a more personalized period look.

For a strict restoration, the key points are the correct size, the correct radial construction, and a sidewall style that matches the market presentation you are trying to recreate. If the car has a market-specific history or unusual delivery background, marque clubs and BMW specialists are the right place to confirm whether any regional tire variations existed. That extra step matters more than chasing a brand name that may not have been universal across every market.

Correct tire fitment matters on a shown 1979 BMW because judges and knowledgeable enthusiasts notice size, construction, and sidewall presentation very quickly. A 320i on 13-inch tires presents differently from a 528i on 14-inch tires, and a 733i on TRX wheels should not wear a conventional 14-inch tire. On most factory-faithful restorations from this era, a blackwall radial in the proper size will read more authentic than a decorative sidewall treatment.

The degree of scrutiny depends on the event. A local cars-and-coffee crowd may appreciate a tasteful redline or whitewall treatment, while a marque-focused concours is more likely to reward wheel-and-tire choices that match the car’s original specification and period character. If the car is being prepared for judged competition, check the event’s standards and consult BMW club resources before making a final tire decision.

For a 1979 BMW 528i in 185/70R14, Michelin XAS and Dunlop Sport Classic are both blackwall radial choices, but they differ in sidewall marking and supporting specifications. The Michelin appears as a 185/70VR14 88V TL, giving it a V speed rating to 149 mph and an explicit tubeless marking, while the Dunlop Sport Classic appears as a 185/70R14 88H with an H speed rating to 130 mph. The Michelin also fits 4.50 to 6.00 inch rims where shown, while the Dunlop carries a 1,235-pound maximum load figure.

For an owner concerned with authenticity, both preserve the proper blackwall European appearance better than a whitewall treatment would on a 5 Series BMW. The finer distinction comes down to whether you want the explicitly marked V-rated Michelin TRADITIONAL-style option or the H-rated Dunlop interpretation in the same size family. Confirm the wheel width and your restoration goals first, then choose the tire whose markings and character align best with the car.

1979 BMW tires can be suitable for highway driving when the size matches the car, the tire is in sound condition, and its speed rating aligns with the way the car will be used. Speed-rated examples in these BMW sizes include H at 130 mph, V at 149 mph, W at 168 mph, and one S-rated 205/70R14 at 112 mph. Those figures are generally well beyond normal U.S. highway speeds, and on a late-1970s BMW the condition of the suspension, brakes, steering, and wheel bearings is often just as important as the tire itself.

The practical issue is not simply whether the tire can handle highway speed in theory, but whether the entire car is prepared for sustained road use after decades of age and intermittent service. A healthy 320i, 528i, 633 CSi, or 733i on the correct tire can be a satisfying highway car, but only after pressures, alignment, and general mechanical condition have been checked. Match the tire to the car, then match the drive to the condition of the whole vehicle.

Inflation pressure for 1979 BMW tires should begin with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation for the exact model, then be checked against the tire maker’s sidewall and load information for the specific product you choose. Several available products show maximum load figures at 35 psi, including 185/70R13 at 1,135 pounds, 185/70R14 at 1,201 or 1,235 pounds, and 205/70R14 at 1,433 pounds. Those figures are load-and-pressure reference points for the tire itself, not automatic running-pressure recommendations for every BMW in the range.

That distinction matters because a 320i, 528i, 633 CSi, and 733i place different demands on their tires and were engineered with different front-to-rear pressure targets. Never transfer a pressure number from one size to another just because the tires look similar. Start with the original car’s specification, confirm the product’s own limits, and then adjust only within that framework if a knowledgeable BMW specialist recommends it for your wheel and use case.

Before a longer drive in a 1979 BMW, inspect every tire for cracking, bulges, punctures, uneven wear, and correct cold inflation pressure. Check the valve stems, make sure the spare is usable, and verify that the tire size on the car matches the wheel type, especially on a 733i where a TRX metric wheel and a conventional 14-inch wheel require entirely different tires. If the car has sat for a long period, look for flat-spotting during the first few miles as well.

Tires are only one part of the readiness check on a car of this age. A prudent owner also reviews brakes, fluid levels, belts, hoses, lights, and cooling-system health before setting out. On a vintage BMW, the tire inspection is especially important because the car may feel mechanically strong while the rubber has quietly aged out. A careful once-over before departure is far easier than solving a preventable problem on the roadside.