I am replacing the worn out tires on my 2002 and am finding there are not too many options available these days. I am running the 14" bottlecaps from an E30 with the stock size 195/65-14 tires.

Any suggestions for tires and is there another size that is better that will fit these wheels. Is Tire Rack the place to go?

Thanks in advance.

I am using 195/60/14's on my Bottlecaps.

195/60-14 is as close to stock as you get in 14", but some rub a bit.
Others run smaller 185/60-14, but that has more speedo error.

Thank you both for the feeback. I will look at the 60 series tires and go from there.

There are lots more sizes, just to consider. 195/55R14, 195/45R14 (prolly to small dia), 205/55R14, etc. Just FYI.

195/60-14 is as close to stock as you get in 14", but some rub a bit.
Others run smaller 185/60-14, but that has more speedo error.

In addition to tire size, it is very helpful in knowing the contact patch as well. Some more agressive tires tend to have a larger contact patch which sometimes can meet or exceed the next width tire size of other manufacturers.

There are lots more sizes, just to consider. 195/55R14, 195/45R14 (prolly to small dia), 205/55R14, etc. Just FYI.

One of the driving factors to looking at other sizes for me is availability. It seems that there are few 195/65 14's available and those seemed to be something designed for a family car, not a BMW (OK, so a BMW is both, but you know what I mean). This car will not be raced or autocrossed and the last tires lasted 10-years and are only being replaced because they are old and cracking. Sure is easier to find tires for my E36...

195/65-14 tires are too big. They were correct for some E30 models that came witht he bottlecaps.

As said before, 195/60-14 are good.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compare1.jsp?width=195%2F&ratio=60&diameter=14&startIndex=0&search=true&pagelen=20&pagenum=1&pagemark=1&RunFlat=All&x=46&y=6

http://www.ntb.com/tirePriceSearch.do?Cmd=size&specOrd=false&prevZip=&prevCity=null&prevState=null&hideItem=&hideDesc=&hideZone=null&State=Select+State&Zip=76101&searchby=tiresize&Year=Select+Year&Width=195&Aspect=60&Rim=14

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/fitment.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=AUTO&cat=Tires&pid=&subcat=Car&displayTarget=Subcategory&product_id=&resetYear=&resetMake=&resetModel=&mode=forwardSize&selectYear=Select+year&selectMake=Select+make&selectModel=Select+model&selectOption=Select+option&tireSizeOne=195&tireSizeTwo=%2F60&tireSizeThree=14

Your 2002 originally came with tires about size 165/80-13, so that's what it's speedometer is calibrated for.

http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi

195/60-14 is 0.8% smaller
195/65-14 is 2.8% larger

You guys are good! We have a 1989 325is with 195/65-14's and just got a 1985 325e that has 195/60-14's on there (both are correct according to their respective owners manuals). I tried one of the wheels on the car with the 60 series tires and they look way better than the 65 series tires and I can get just about any kind of tire I want in that size.

Now, with my bottlecaps wheels, I ran the 195/65-14's and they did not rub. Anyone have any problem with the 60 series tires on their car with those wheels? The wheel I test fit was close, but did not rub. I know some tires are wider in the middle (like me!).

I will end up with Yokohama Avid's. Good price and had the brand in the past with great luck.

Thanks,

Your 2002 originally came with tires about size 165/80-13, so that's what it's speedometer is calibrated for.

http://www.powerdog.com/tiresize.cgi

195/60-14 is 0.8% smaller
195/65-14 is 2.8% larger

I was using 195/60/14 on e30 wheels but tried 205/60/14 awhile ago.
To my surprise, they did not rub at all on my mostly stock setup.
I've been using 205/60 since and will not go back.