Jetta tire size

jeff hunter

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2001
Location
orillia, ontario, canada
I have an a3 jetta that came with 195-60r14 tires. I have 15" summer wheels that came with 195-55r15 tires that have worn out. I need to replace the tires, and hope to raise the car a bit. Are there any problems with 195-65r15 rubber other than the speedo may be off a bit. Do they fit is my question, anyone have any experience with this size? thanks Jeff
 

Toronto_Vento

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Location
Richmond Hill, ON
TDI
01 Baltic Green Bora
Well, technically, the 195-60R14's are the optional size for the A3s. 185-60R14 is what the A3s are equipped with from factory. So, you were running with a slightly off RPM anyhow. I am running the 195's right now, the odometer is off by ~2%, but the spedometer is pretty much on (by default, the spedometer in VWs show slightly faster than what you are actually travelling) Now, with the 15" rims, you have been travelling an extra % faster...so your odometer will be off again. Now you want to go even bigger?

Anyhow, in terms of fitting, go out to your car, and measure an extra 2" outside of your current tire. Diameter is an extra 2", radius (measured from center) is about 1" off. If you measure up and can accomodate the extra size, then it should be okay...just don't understand why you don't want to go with something closer to OEM. I have no idea if this tire size exists, but if you want to be as close to OEM as possible, you might look at 195-50R15s. Only 0.3% off.
 

jeff hunter

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2001
Location
orillia, ontario, canada
My car definatly came with 194-60r14 from the factory. My 195-55r15 worked well. I need new tires and that size isn't cheap and I would like a little extra clearance. I can live with the speedo being off, but am wondering if they physically fit. When I measure it looks like it fits. I guess another question is, does anyone know where to get a good deal on the 195-55-15's? thanks
 

Stan TDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2003
Location
Eagan, Minnesota, USA
TDI
Jetta, 1997 1Z (RIP), 2002 Jetta GLS, 2002 Jetta GLS, 2006 Jetta Pkg 1
I am looking for some tires for 15" rims and have thought that 205/50/15 is the correct +1 size from the 195/60/14 (this was the OEM tire size for my car also). Also, I generally find the 205's are a little cheaper than 195's for the same tire, if offered. Is there a reason you went for the 195's over the 205's? Is it to provide extra protection for the 15" rim by having a higher sidewall? It appears the 195/60/14 has an overall wheel diameter of 23.21". 195/55/15 is 23.44". 205/50/15 is 23.07". 195/60/15 is 24.21". 195/65/15 is 24.98". I am having a tough time finalizing my tire selection but never thought of going as large as you are suggesting. A larger tire means a heavier tire. So many different reviews and limited selections with +1 sizing. I will be watching this thread.
 

jeff hunter

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2001
Location
orillia, ontario, canada
Stan, thanks for the diameter sizing of the different tires, it really shows how much larger the 65r tire is. I had the 195 tires simply because they came with the rims and considered the 65r tires because someone at work has some barely used michelin mxv4's in that size. I think I'll keep looking for a slightly closer to stock profile. Since the 15" rims came with the 195 tires, would they fit the 205 tire? or would it be too wide? thanks
 

Stan TDI

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2003
Location
Eagan, Minnesota, USA
TDI
Jetta, 1997 1Z (RIP), 2002 Jetta GLS, 2002 Jetta GLS, 2006 Jetta Pkg 1
Jeff,

I am told that the 205's will fit but I do not have them on my car so cannot be sure. The 205's should fit on the rim but the question is how they would fit on the car? For those reading this thread with 15" wheels, what size tires do you have on your A3? It appears that Toronto Vento uses 195/55/15. Other comments are welcome!
 

MacGyver

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2000
Location
SW Ont, Canada
TDI
1997 Jetta, black
Jeff, any way you could trial fit a set before you shell out the cash?
That's 1.77" larger, I'm wary of clearance, like during suspension compression while turning & things like that...

My 97 also came factory equipped with the 195/60-14's.
My winter tires are 185/65-14's, less than 1/2" larger, and they're plenty tight for my liking.
 

MacGyver

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2000
Location
SW Ont, Canada
TDI
1997 Jetta, black
I have 215-40-16's and they fit fine. I have also used 205-45-16's.
On an A3 Jetta...? You & your profile don't say.
Both those sizes are within 0.2" dia of stock 195/60-14's according to the calculator I checked. Just wider. Jeff's looking at going significantly taller.
 

Stealth TDI

Pre-Forum Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 13, 1998
Location
Newport News, VA
TDI
2017 GTI APR Stage 3 (395 hp/376 lb-ft)
Hi,

The A3 GLX's came standard with 205/50R15s. I imagine they'll fit our TDIs if you use a stock-like offset.

Scott
 

TDikook

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 15, 2003
Location
Biloxi, Ms
TDI
'06 Golf Anthracite Blue
Ill let you know what I have done. I had stock tires 185/60/14 on my car when I bought it. I then put on 205/60/15. that was a mistake with my stock worn out shocks. traveling to New Orleans one day on I-10(that road SUCKS!) my rear tires rubbed bad on every bounce, which was about everytwo seconds. on hard brake and turn the front rubbed on the splash gaurd bolts head, but just barely, I took off the bolt and no more rub, so it was close. the front rubbed a bit too when nose dive took effect. I took them back and got 195/60/15 and had no problems since. I believe the 205 is just a tad too wide since it rubbed on the very outside of the flat tread part. rolled fenders and/or stiffer shocks would have prevented that, but I didnt have them at the time. my next tire is gonna be 195/65/15 to lower highway RPM's. I think they will fit. I am gona measure even more than I did last time with the 205s.

Good luck

Eric B.
 
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