Big Tires?

john.jackson9213

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 14, 2007
Location
Miramar, Ca. (Think Top Gun)
TDI
1996 B4V
I am running 195/65 x 15 Michelins at 25 inches tall or 832 revs per mile. No problems.

Kumho 195/75 x 14 tires are 25.5 inches tall or 814 revs per mile Check the specs for the brand tire you want to buy. I saw another brand at 25.8 inches tall and 808 revs per mile.
 

Steve Addy

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Aug 7, 2002
Location
Iowa
TDI
97 Mk3
I run 195/60r15 tires on the Mk3, they're about 4% larger than stock at 24.2" diameter versus 23.2" for stock. I get a tiny amount of rubbing on the inner fender plastics on extreme turns (backing out of a driveway etc).

The 195/75r14 is even larger, at 25.5" diameter. I would think the clearance issue would be even worse than what I have. I'm going back to 195/55r15 or 185/60r15 when I get new tires.

Steve
 

ketchupshirt88

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2012
Location
waupaca, WI
TDI
2005 Passat daily, a bunch of others in the graveyard out back...
i searched this not too long ago wondering the same thing

I saw that Abacus posted his wagon with 195/75r14's on it and claimed no rubbing while another guy said they fit his car but rub on extreme turns.

maybe it depends on how fresh the suspension is... super old and sagging like mine might not fit them.
 

john.jackson9213

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Mar 14, 2007
Location
Miramar, Ca. (Think Top Gun)
TDI
1996 B4V
i searched this not too long ago wondering the same thing

I saw that Abacus posted his wagon with 195/75r14's on it and claimed no rubbing while another guy said they fit his car but rub on extreme turns.

maybe it depends on how fresh the suspension is... super old and sagging like mine might not fit them.
My B4V has original front springs, rear springs replaced with H.D. springs - just because, no issue with stock rear springs.
 

0die

Veteran Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Location
corpus christi, tx
TDI
1996 Passat wagon B4V
running 195/70-14 on B4V.

I had 205/75-14 and the fronts rubbed on dips and big bumps...the rears blew (old tires-age not miles) and the close clearance kinda tore up the wheel wells.
 

bikeprof

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2005
Location
Pagosa Springs, Colorado(YEAH!)
TDI
1996 Passat B4 Variant white, 1996 Town & Country 3.8 LXI
70% aspect compared to 75% aspect means:
70% are fatter
75% are taller but not necessarily fatter(width at thread)

195 X___ X 14's
sidewall height: 70% = 5.37 compared to 75% 5.87
section width: both 7.68
overall diameter: 24.75 compared to 25.52
circumference: 77.75 compared to 80.16
revs per mile: 814.94 compared to 790.94

MPH difference at 65= 65 compared to 67.02
Taller 75% tires will be going faster by 2+ miles per hour and if staying low RPM's, saving fuel, rides more "COMFY" !

Tire calculator per Discount Tire
 
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redmondjp

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2004
Location
Redmond, WA
TDI
'96 Passat Sedan
I just put a set of free 205/70R14s on my slightly-lowered B4 sedan. No rubbing.

I'll have to say that I hate how the car drives now - I lost half a gear (have to be in a gear lower than I could do before), and it is now more sluggish. Last night I had the whole family in the car and starting in first gear going uphill it really struggled to even get going. If you are somewhere in the flatlands, it is probably OK, but with hills? My car is stock, so maybe with upgraded injectors and the like it would be OK.

Costco carries Michelin Defenders in P185/65R14 and I think I'll put a set of those on when the $70 off Michelin sale kicks in again at the end of the month.
 
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