The definitive tyre / wheel size thread

[A2Z]

If you look at winter rally cars, you will find narrower tyres are used. So, your worry is not needed. Too wide tyres for light car is no good either.
Modern tyres are using softer compounds as well as better tread design. A2 weigh about same as mk1 Suzuki Swift Gti I used to own. Gti did have 165 tyre and it glue to the road very well.
A2 only used bigger tyres as VAG was doing cost saving by buying same size tyres for many of their line ups!

I agree with your post except the last paragraph as 185/50/16 tyre size (which was the most used tyre size on an A2) wasn't used on any other VAG models that I'm aware of and in fact are such an expensive tyre size to buy as they were only used on a couple of other cars at all one of which was the Nissan Micra.

I think larger wheel tyre sizes were used on the A2 purely for marketing purposes and aesthetics, to sell more cars as they look better with bigger wheels. They don't drive better though. I personally think an A2 on the factory lightweight 15's rides the best of any wheel/tyre combinations but possibly at the expense of aesthetics

 

[A2Z]

175 65 15 are bit cheaper compared to 165 65 15 and 185 60 15

185/60/15 can be pretty cheap too but agree that 175/65/15 is cheaper than the 'standard' 175/60/15, or 165/65/15 sizes due to them only being produced in low volumes as they aren't widely used

 

[miniswift]

I’m fitting 165/70-14 All season tyre with this alloy.

 

[Bernie]

Help , so do the standard Audi A1 10 bar alloys with 215/45/16 fit ??

 

[FinallyFiona]

Help , so do the standard Audi A1 10 bar alloys with 215/45/16 fit ??

Beautifully They're probably the best-looking style from other VAG models with the same 5x100 PCD, too.

 

[Bernie]

Thanks for that.@FinallyFiona.

 

[carlston]

I’m fitting 165/70-14 All season tyre with this alloy.

That's the Polo MK4 facelift 5Jx14 ET35 5/100 57.1 JEREZ alloy rim.

If you want huge amounts of rim protection for that 5J rim width, the 185/65R14 would be a good choice because the sidewalls bulge out from the rim by a large 16mm each side. To put that into context, I've shown six different tyre sizes in the chart below.

Bear in mind that although the 185/65R14 would give a huge amount of comfort the direct steering feel that you get from the standard 185/50R16 fitted to its wider 6J rim would be a thing of the past. However, on a long journey I much prefer going for the comfort option.

Amount of rim protection from kerbing damage these tyre offer on a 5J rim width (ie. how much the sidewalls bulge out each side from the rim)
165/70R14 fitted to 5J rim 9.5mm
175/65R14 fitted to 5J rim 13mm
175/70R14 fitted to 5J rim 13mm
185/60R14 fitted to 5J rim 16mm
185/65R14 fitted to 5J rim 16mm
185/70R14 fitted to 5J rim 16mm

Goodyear Vector 4 Season Generation3 185/65R14 86H (Euro label C B 70dB)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m137b0s7980p189833/Goodyear_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Goodyear_Vector_4_Season_Generation3_185_65_R14_86H_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_70dB

Vredestein Quatrac 5 185/65R14 86T (Euro label D C 69dB)

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m137b0s7980p144832/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_185_65_R14_86T_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_D_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_B_Noise%3A_69dB

 

[sailesh]

An option I haven’t seen in this thread are steel wheels with a centre cap (instead of a full wheel cap) - are there any Audi-specific options out there?

There is an insert for A1 alloys out there, but I don’t think it’s compatible with steelies..

Alternatively, something in the style of these VW centre caps would be ideal..

Something about me just likes the authenticity of steelies, but they would benefit from looking finished!

All ideas welcome!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Darpod14]

An option I haven’t seen in this thread are steel wheels with a centre cap (instead of a full wheel cap) - are there any Audi-specific options out there?

There is an insert for A1 alloys out there, but I don’t think it’s compatible with steelies..

Alternatively, something in the style of these VW centre caps would be ideal..

Something about me just likes the authenticity of steelies, but they would benefit from looking finished!

All ideas welcome!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I like the idea myself Sailesh, another option could be to make your own centre caps. I have done it a few times for pepper pots, by buying plain centres, then making 3d printed audi rings and painting the items in a colour of your choice. Looks great and adds to the individuality of your car.

 

[sailesh]

I like the idea myself Sailesh, another option could be to make your own centre caps. I have done it a few times for pepper pots, by buying plain centres, then making 3d printed audi rings and painting the items in a colour of your choice. Looks great and adds to the individuality of your car.

Sounds great! Do you have any pics to share please?

There seem to be sources out there for much cheaper centre caps - subject to being the right bolt dimensions - but I’m not convinced the quality would be pleasing.

Wheel Center Hub Caps

Wheel Centre Center Cap Hub Badge Cover FULL SET OF 4 PCS. Set

ej-parts.co.uk

My ideal would be a centre cap that replicates the beautiful A8 D2 winter wheels.. does such a thing exist or would it have to be improvised..?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Darpod14]

Sounds great! Do you have any pics to share please?

There seem to be sources out there for much cheaper centre caps - subject to being the right bolt dimensions - but I’m not convinced the quality would be pleasing.

Wheel Center Hub Caps

Wheel Centre Center Cap Hub Badge Cover FULL SET OF 4 PCS. Set

ej-parts.co.uk

My ideal would be a centre cap that replicates the beautiful A8 D2 winter wheels.. does such a thing exist or would it have to be improvised..?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Darpod14]

These are centre caps I did myself, really easy to do and came out great

 

[Desmo]

An option I haven’t seen in this thread are steel wheels with a centre cap (instead of a full wheel cap) - are there any Audi-specific options out there?
All ideas welcome!

15x6 et35

 

[sailesh]

These are centre caps I did myself, really easy to do and came out great

Agreed - very nice!! I guess the difference with steelies is figuring out an attachment method, but possibly similar to the A8 D2 wheels. If your skills are available, I’d definitely be keen to engage your expertise to find out!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Erlingtheyounger]

The Style Darren @Darpod14 references on his pepperpots are essentially the same (though smaller) than the centre caps in the A8 Winters in terms of attachment. I think it’ll just be a case of finding the appropriate size and no reason the same can’t be possible on steels

 

[Bernie]

Would these fit ? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/29663484...all&brand=Audi&_trksid=p4481478.c101506.m1851

 

[Desmo]

No, those are 5x112

 

[Desmo]

This one got some rubber for extra comfort



Credits to https://www.flickr.com/photos/47381765@N04/

 

[miniswift]

14” Bluemotion Polo alloys with 165/70-14 All Season Kumho tyres,
Rides are softer and road holding is good as well

 

[Desmo]

Love how tight is between caliper up front