Biggest tire for a 98 Jetta TDI?

[genscripter]

Hi all,
I was wondering what is the biggest size tire I can mount on my rims, without encountering rubbing issues?

I have these 14 inch rims:

 

[genscripter]

Any suggestions? I'm looking for a big tire.

 

[914fan]

I've only ever going the original 195-60-14 size. One time I found like 215-75-14 one time years ago, but they looked gigantic. I didn't think they would fit

 

[glenn1179]

I dunno if anyone will chime in with a definitive answer. When I was asking this question I used a tire size calculator and my current tire size. Then with the new tire dimensions, I started looking at possible rub spots. For my 96 Passat, it seemed to me the first place of contact would be the spring perch on the strut. I made a best guess and was pretty close. I could maybe go one series larger.

Check out the tire size calculator here: https://www.1010tires.com/Tools/Tire-Size-Calculator

This has been discussed some in the past. So there is some info out there. Without wheel spacers or a lift, I bet you could run 195/75 R14. 185/75 R14 would probably be an easy fit. But then again, I'm a Passat owner so my opinion doesn't mean much on the A3.

I run 195/75 R14 on my 96 Passat. I have a lift, but probably wouldn't need it to run these tires.

Odie is running 205/75 R14 on his Passat with a smaller lift and only some slight body rubs on speed bumps over 20mph. I would probably like to try this tire size next since I have a larger lift then Odie.

 

[Loaf]

My winter tires are 185/70 R14. They are slightly bigger than stock and work fine.

 

[0die]

What lift you got? I didn't know there were any lift springs available. Everything I usually see is lowering springs.

I'm only "lifted" since I'm running European "Estate" (wagon) HD springs on the rear.

 

[0die]

Oh, and I don't recommend the 205/75-14...

I'm only, only running those because I had a brand new set (less than 1000 miles and collecting dust for the last 4-5 years) going to waste.

I'll drop to 195/70 or 195/75 next time I actually spend coin on tires.

 

[glenn1179]

What lift you got? I didn't know there were any lift springs available. Everything I usually see is lowering springs.

I'm only "lifted" since I'm running European "Estate" (wagon) HD springs on the rear.

My lift is self made. I have a 2" strut spacer up front and 3" custom lift block made from square tube that attaches to the bottom of the shock in the rear.

 

[turbodieseldyke]

I ran 195/70r14's in front (185/70r14 now), without any modding. It looked to me like that was the limit, but YMMV.

 

[fletcher0780]

I'm running 225/50/15 on my B4 passat with no issues.

 

[genscripter]

My winter tires are 185/70 R14. They are slightly bigger than stock and work fine.

This sounds like the best plan of action.

 

[30_Yr_Dsl_Veteran]

Any suggestions? I'm looking for a big tire.

You are looking for something completely superfluous!