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The tire code for Michelin TRX?

Specific conversations and info for the BMW E28 M5 and M535i.
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GlennBeard
Posts: 1
Joined: Jun 04, 2025 4:21 AM
Location: Baldwinsville
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The tire code for Michelin TRX?

Post by GlennBeard »

Could someone please explain the "date codes" that are engraved on a spare tire in my trunk?

TRX 220/55/VR390 Michelin

The DOT's "464" at the end indicates either November 1984 or possibly 1994, but according to the people at BMW Group Historical, I think the wheel (e22) and tire combination are original to the vehicle, which was built on December 1984. The actual question I'm trying to answer is that the tire also has another number, which appears to be a date code, of TB 126 06-88-01 stamped on it. Does anybody know what this "TB" code suggests?

In advance, thank you!
lordedam
Posts: 2
Joined: Jun 30, 2025 8:04 AM
Location: Loveland

Re: The tire code for Michelin TRX?

Post by lordedam »

TRX 220/55/VR390 Michelin
This is a special Michelin tire specification, commonly found on high-end European cars from the 1980s:
  • 220/55 = 220 mm tire width, with a 55% aspect ratio (sidewall height).
  • VR = speed rating and construction type. V means the tire is rated for speeds over 210 km/h; R indicates radial construction.
  • 390 = TRX wheel diameter in millimeters — a rare format not used in modern standard wheels.
DOT Code "464"
This is the tire age code based on the pre-2000 DOT format, which uses 3 digits:
  • 4 = possibly the year ending in 4, so either 1984 or 1994 (requires vehicle info to determine).
  • 64 = would indicate week 64, which is invalid, as a year only has 52–53 weeks.
    → This suggests the code was likely misread or partially degraded with time.
Given that your vehicle was built in December 1984, the correct DOT is likely week 46 of 1984, i.e., DOT 464 = November 1984.

Code "TB 126 06-88-01"
This is not a DOT code, but likely an internal Michelin manufacturing code:
  • TB = could indicate the plant or production line.
  • 126 = mold or batch number.
  • 06-88 = June 1988, likely the actual manufacturing date.
  • 01 = possibly a production shift or inspection batch.
Your spare tire was most likely manufactured in June 1988, which means it’s not the original from 1984, but still a genuine TRX-era Michelin — likely replaced during service or by the dealer in the late 1980s.
That's Not My Neighbor
Aldo525
Posts: 458
Joined: Mar 24, 2021 3:04 PM
Location: Puerto Varas, CHILE

Re: The tire code for Michelin TRX?

Post by Aldo525 »

lordedam wrote: Jun 30, 2025 10:22 PM TRX 220/55/VR390 Michelin
This is a special Michelin tire specification, commonly found on high-end European cars from the 1980s:
  • 220/55 = 220 mm tire width, with a 55% aspect ratio (sidewall height).
  • VR = speed rating and construction type. V means the tire is rated for speeds over 210 km/h; R indicates radial construction.
  • 390 = TRX wheel diameter in millimeters — a rare format not used in modern standard wheels.
DOT Code "464"
This is the tire age code based on the pre-2000 DOT format, which uses 3 digits:
  • 4 = possibly the year ending in 4, so either 1984 or 1994 (requires vehicle info to determine).
  • 64 = would indicate week 64, which is invalid, as a year only has 52–53 weeks.
    → This suggests the code was likely misread or partially degraded with time.
Given that your vehicle was built in December 1984, the correct DOT is likely week 46 of 1984, i.e., DOT 464 = November 1984.

Code "TB 126 06-88-01"
This is not a DOT code, but likely an internal Michelin manufacturing code:
  • TB = could indicate the plant or production line.
  • 126 = mold or batch number.
  • 06-88 = June 1988, likely the actual manufacturing date.
  • 01 = possibly a production shift or inspection batch.
Your spare tire was most likely manufactured in June 1988, which means it’s not the original from 1984, but still a genuine TRX-era Michelin — likely replaced during service or by the dealer in the late 1980s.
That's Not My Neighbor
I have the same TRX tires but built in 2018 and 2023 and the spare is maybe 2001....they have imprinted:

VEA 1BP 06-88-01 Made in Serbia (2018 and 2023)

TJ 769 06-88-01 Made in UK (maybe 2001)

So 06-88-01 means something else.

TB, VEA and TJ maybe are the manufacturing countries....
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