Club 80-90 Forums

Hi all!

Tried the search and wiki but did not find anything about my question.
My OE "käseloch" alloy wheels will be renewed in a few weeks, so I will need new tyres. The question is should I buy OE spec 205/70R14 size or there are some advantages of bigger 195R14 instead? I have an mTDI with 4,57*0,74 gearbox.
Beside that the 205/70R14 market is limited here, Semperit, Nexen and some chinese nonames available. However I can buy Hankook, Kumho, Dunlop, Firestone, Kormoran and some others in 195R14. The price range is about the same in two rates for all these sizes. Cheaper ones are around 38 GBP and expensive ones are around 50 GBP.

Or use the OE 185R14 size?
Opinions? Experience?
Thanks!

Hi
Standard 185 R14C's are (from what I remember 82 profile, not 80 as many think) so 81.5"
205 70 14's are slightly smaller by (2.3% ) at 79.4"
195 R14's are as you have stated, slightly bigger than standard at 83.5" Around 2.5% larger diameter.

Do you know what BHP your mTDI is? I take it that this motor has at least 10 - 15bhp over the original AAZ?

So in short...195 R14's would be fine but with a mTDI? fitted I would have thought you could go even bigger on the circumference.
205 R14C would take you to 85.5" about 5% bigger....

Ideally you need to be looking at bigger rims.

Martin

Thanks for the info, sorry I missed your answer until now!

I think my engine should be around the original 90BHP (never measured but the Croma from the pump I have is also 90BHP, the pump has minor tweaks but original, original 1Z injectors, K14 turbo, no intercooler, and the max speed I have ever achieved with this gearbox and stock 185R14 was 158kph)

Some of my local friends also adviced to go bigger (eg: 215/65R16 which is about the 205R14) but I like the look of the original alloy and already invested some money in it, so not sure about going bigger.

I was thinking why did VW choose the 205/70? What was the achievement? The lower profile height cause less wandering? The wider alloy needs wider tyre and that was the nearest available size? Beside these they needed the extra load range and it was uncommon then in other sizes?

And what about the tyre brands? Any positive or negative experience?

Zoltan

I actually run 205/70 14's but then I'm all standard.
Semperit brand was a common supplier to VW and alot of the Carat wheels came with these fitted (Load rated at 97)
Given what you have said about power, the very modest increase in size you originally stated sounds a sensible choice given the increased choice it will give you.
Personally I would go for a European brand, although that's difficult given many of these makes are truly global companies with manufacturing bases across the world.
The first tier manufactures are going to be the best but not necessarily for overall value: i.e: Michellin/Dunlop/Pirelli/Continental
I tend to buy from the second tier as you are still getting quality but often at a greatly reduced price: Avon/Uniroyal/Firestone/Goodyear/Fulda/Kleber/Vredestein/Semperit.

Martin

Ok! Thanks for these infos.

On the us forums they say good things about Hankook and they now made here in Hungary so they are a bit cheaper. So maybe I go woth the 195.

But not an easy decision

Indeed, never tried them myself but have heard generally good comments about their tyres.

Martin