13" Tire Source

Ok. I've been searching for a source for 13" tires for my 75 BMW 2002. I have a set of Panasports two of which have 185/75r13 tires on them. I can't find any new tires in that size anywhere.

Anyone know how to find these unicorns?

Looks like cokertire.com has Vredesteins and Michelins in that size.

Yeah, tires in 13" are getting to be unicorns. About the only tires available are cheap all seasons, full racing slicks or Coker reproductions. That's the reason some of us have moved up a rim size or so. Tire selection in stock 165 X 13 for my Opel GT was slim picking. I moved up to 14" with a set of early E30 BBS wheels. 14" X 6" also gave me a wider rim the 13 X 5 stock. Looks better and seems to drive better. 14" tires aren't a lot better but there are some decent tires out there in 14".

I have some decent 14 inch BBS wheels to try. Just wanted to find something to keep the car on these. I appreciate the input though. I was hoping someone would have the silver bullet I'm looking for. :-)

Simpletire has a bunch of 185/70-13 tires available.

Simple Tire

bigben wrote: Simple Tire

They have the widest range of choice I've seen so far. Thanks!

In reply to sirrichardpumpaloaf:

I wide range of tires no one has heard of before today. I never thought recognizing Nankang would be a good thing

I went through this with a friend a while ago, 185/70-13 is as close as you get in a street tire without spending big money at coker. Kumho makes the only 185/70-13 that isn't a maypop, so I'd have to recommend that one.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Solus+TA11&partnum=87TR3TA11&vehicleSearch=false&fromCompare1=yes

Trust me I understand the frustration. I think the Corvair community is keeping Maaxis Tire in business. They are the only cheap 185/80-13 out there anymore.

Maaxis is also one of the few companies that makes huge 15 inch tires. I was just looking for rear tires for my Ranchero and they had the cheapest 275/60s available

In reply to singleslammer:

Wow, you weren't lying, they also appear to offer a 295/50R15, that's not a truck tire, that's a hot rod/muscle car tire.

http://www.maxxis.com/catalog/tire-8-104-marauder-ma-s1

The 13" tire thread comes up from time to time. Has anyone given thought to take offs from a club or vintage racer. When the I put a fresh set Hooisers on my race car I happily give away the old set. If you're not driving the car in the snow or rain it's not an issue for many of these tires. Worn DOT race rubber will have way more stick than even after they are heat cycled out......just a thought. I'm sure I'm not the only guy giving them away.

What about federal tire? I've seen people are pretty happy with these, but I haven't tried it myself. I have general altimax in a similar 13" size I'm happy with.

Actually, there are still several companies that provide 13" tires, the problem is finding them in certain sizes. That's where the problem is.

If you can fit 205/60/13, then look at getting a set of Federal tires that are used as the spec tires for Legends race cars. At $100 a tire, they are really nice tires.

Have a look at American Racer ee asphalt tires. They are a rib tire with a surprising amount of rubber on them for a race tire. Wouldnt last long but for a part time driver you might get a couple years. And the grip would be there....

Yokohama makes a 175/50-R13 tire. A little narrower than what you are looking for.

Here.

Not DOT stamped though if that matters to you.

For what it's worth, I'm constantly lobbying for 13- and 14-inch tires. In the end, it always comes down to the money--it's expensive to build and stock each tire SKU offered. Still, I keep championing it.

In reply to Tom1200:

I run Formula Ford (1600) front tire take offs on my Europa. Toyo 888 185/60-13. I'm not too proud to use free used race rubber.

I came to suggest the Federal Legends tire, too. 205/60 13. Certainly doesn't look vintage, though.

If you can fit them, Maxxis sells a 185/80R13, the MA-1. A lot of Corvair owners buy them because they're the only factory size tire left that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.