running 195 / 205 / 215 on 14" steels

[b-f-c]

I've had a quick look and can't see if this was covered (An old thread was started by someone but never followed up)

Has anyone put tyres bigger than 185r14c on their stock steel rims? If so, any chance of posting a photo or two?
Mine's due for some new tyres soon and I'm considering bumping up the size to reduce the revs and to look fuller in the arches.

Ta muchly

[California Dreamin]

Volkswagen also fitted 205/70 R14 tyres (97 or higher load rating) to there 'Option' Carat wheels but on the tyre circumference calculator these aren't any bigger in circumference than the more common 185R14 C's .
What you have to bare in mind is fitting 'bigger' tyres will lower the engine revs slightly but will also reduce overal 'torque' which will result in earlier change downs at the slightest incline or head wind.
Unless you have more power, fitting larger diameter tyres isn't a good idea.

Martin

[g60steve]

14" steels are 5.5" wide so going any bigger than 195 isn't really a good idea as you will encounter sidewall flexing.

The 205's mentioned were designed for 6" wide alloys but that was in the 1980's.
Tyre technology has improved(a lot!) since then and these days 205 tyres are designed for 7" wide wheels.

[b-f-c]

Cheers for the replies guys, I think it's wiser to stick with stock

[California Dreamin]

Ahhhhh! I believe Steve is correct...steel wheels are narrower than the Carat options so the 205 options would be too wide...195's maybe the limit.

Martin