Stretching tires

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onatepp
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Location: Italy/UK

Stretching tires

Post by onatepp »

Hi guys. I own a 635csi late 1982.
Due to local regulations I can mount only 205/70 R14 tires. I have alloys 14x6,5J.
I have found for sale 4 BBS 14x8J that I love.
Would it be possible (and safe) to mount 205/70 R14 tires on 14x8J alloys?
Thabo you.
Regards.
Antonio
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hornhospital
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Re: Stretching tires

Post by hornhospital »

I hate stretched tires. Unsafe and ugly IMHO. They kill the performance of the tire by putting the sidewalls in a geometry they're not designed for.

What does the law say about changing wheel/tire size? What I'm getting at is why are you restricted to a tiny tire like the 205/70/14 (which are getting almost impossible to find!)
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
onatepp
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Re: Stretching tires

Post by onatepp »

The problem is that once I get the approval for new tires/alloys sizes I will have to get new car documents and I want to stick with the original 1982 ones.

Will 1,5" difference make the whole thing ugly and unsafe?

Thanks!!
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tschultz
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Re: Stretching tires

Post by tschultz »

They will not look super stretched, especially with the tall sidewall height. You will be putting the wheel lip in an exposed position but it will work fine all in all.

Below shows the slight visible difference of 205 width tire on 8" wheel (rear) vs the same 205 on the front 7" wheel. On my 9/1982 production E28 based car:

Image
http://www.Drive4Corners.com
Image
'79 635CSi Revival
'80 635CSi
'83 633CSi Callaway Turbo continued as 1988 535is Turbo
SOLD: '81 635CSi/A
onatepp
Posts: 25
Joined: Sun Apr 19, 2015 8:55 pm
Location: Italy/UK

Re: Stretching tires

Post by onatepp »

WOW…they look pretty good.
BTW how did you get to lower your car? My one looks like a SUV ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)
francoid

Re: Stretching tires

Post by francoid »

Tom, what's the full size of your tires please?
Thanks
GazM3
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Re: Stretching tires

Post by GazM3 »

A mild stretch is fine for the tyres. As stated with the tall sidewalls the stretch will be minimal. I personally think mild stretch tyres opposed to over fat ones work better and don't bulge the centres out when running over 32psi. I went from a 225 to a 205 on my 16" rims on the e23 and it handles better.
BMW’s
84 E24 M635csi
90 E34 M5 3.6
94 E34 540i/6 SC E85
97 E36 M3 euro SC U/C
97 Z3 2.8 widebody

OTHERS
11 Audi S5 3.0 SC
19 VW Amarok V6
onatepp
Posts: 25
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Re: Stretching tires

Post by onatepp »

Ok guys, I made up my mind and will go for the 205/70 R14 + BBS 14x8J combo.
Thanks a lot for the qualified advise.

Antonio
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