Audi 100 Tires

Audi 100 uses five sizes across the years covered here: 165R14 for 1970 through 1977 on 14-inch rims, 560-14 for 1970 through 1975 on 14-inch rims, 185/70R14 for certain 1989 cars on 14-inch rims, 205/60R15 for 1989 through 1990 on 15-inch rims, and 195/65R15 for 1991 through 1994 on 15-inch rims. The early 1970-1975 years are unusual because both a metric radial size and a numeric bias-ply size appear for the same model years.

That means the correct tire for an Audi 100 depends on more than the model name alone. Start with the year, then confirm the wheel diameter on the car, and finally compare the existing tire marking and wheel width to the specifications of the tire you are considering.

A 560-14 tire on an Audi 100 is an older numeric bias-ply size. The 560 indicates a nominal section width of about 5.60 inches, and the 14 refers to the wheel diameter, meaning it fits a 14-inch rim. Products in this size are bias-ply tires rather than modern metric radials.

That size is most relevant to early 1970-1975 Audi 100 applications where a period-style look and feel is part of the goal. Because it is a bias-ply fitment in this group, it should be treated as a tube-type application and matched carefully to the wheel dimensions used on the car.

A 1989 Audi 100 can appear with either 185/70R14 or 205/60R15, and the difference is tied to wheel diameter. One fitment uses a 14-inch rim and the other uses a 15-inch rim, even though both belong to the same model year. This is not a case of two interchangeable sizes on the same wheel.

The practical step is to inspect the actual wheels and current tire markings on the car before making a selection. If your 1989 Audi 100 still carries its original wheel set, that check will usually settle the choice immediately; if the car has changed hands or been restored, verify carefully rather than assuming by year alone.

Audi 100 uses both 14-inch and 15-inch rim diameters across the years listed here. The 1970 through 1977 sizes are 14-inch fitments, 1989 can be either 14-inch or 15-inch depending on the application, 1990 uses 15-inch, and 1991 through 1994 continue with 15-inch. Every size on this page states its rim diameter in the code.

Rim diameter is the first fitment checkpoint because none of these sizes should be mounted on the wrong wheel. Before comparing tread style, sidewall appearance, or brand, confirm whether your Audi 100 carries a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel and match the tire size to that wheel exactly.

A 1974 Audi 100 appears with two listed sizes: 165R14 and 560-14, both for 14-inch rims. The first is a metric radial size, while the second is an older numeric bias-ply size. That means a 1974 car can require either a radial-style replacement or a period-style bias-ply replacement depending on how the car is equipped and what kind of restoration is being pursued.

Check three things on the actual car: the size molded on the current tire, the wheel width, and whether the car is being kept in a period-correct bias-ply presentation or driven on radial tires. That process is more reliable than choosing by year alone when two different construction types appear for the same Audi 100 year.

Audi 100 tires in the listed sizes are available with several sidewall styles, including blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and raised white letters. The early 560-14 bias-ply options include blackwall plus whitewall variations, while the later 205/60R15 products include blackwall, wide whitewall, and RWL. The 165R14 and 185/70R14 radial offerings shown here are primarily blackwall, with one 185/70R14 whitewall option.

Sidewall style affects the finished look of the car as much as the size itself. An owner aiming for a cleaner European presentation will usually lean toward blackwalls, while a custom, period-accessory, or distinctly Americanized appearance may point toward one of the whitewall or raised-letter choices where those are offered.

The Audi 100 sizes listed here are represented by Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Avon, and Dunlop. Not every brand covers every size, and some brands are concentrated in particular applications such as early 165R14 metric radials or later 185/70R14 and 205/60R15 radials. BFGoodrich appears in both early bias-ply and later radial offerings within this model group.

Brand choice is best made after the fitment is settled, not before. Once you know the correct size and wheel diameter for your Audi 100, compare the available brands by construction type, sidewall style, and the overall look you want the finished car to carry.

Audi 100 tires here span several distinct series, including Cinturato CA67, Michelin XAS, Sprint Classic, Silvertown Classic Bias Ply, Primacy 3, American Classic Radial, Star Series, Radial T/A, Silvertown Radial, and Sport Classic. The important divide is not the name alone but the construction approach behind it: early applications include both bias-ply and radial choices, while the later metric sizes are radial-only. Sidewall treatment also varies by series, from blackwall touring styles to whitewall and raised-white-letter presentations.

Series selection should follow the purpose of the car. A preservation-minded early Audi 100 may call for a bias-ply style if period character matters most, while a regularly driven later car will usually stay in the radial family that matches its era and wheel package.

An Audi 100 stored on its tires should be kept in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and large temperature swings. Tires age from time and environment as well as mileage, and collector cars often spend long periods parked in one position. Clean floors, proper inflation, and regular movement all help reduce flat spotting and sidewall stress.

If the Audi 100 will sit for extended periods, inflate the tires to the appropriate pressure for storage and roll the car occasionally to change the contact patch. Owners of early bias-ply-equipped cars should be especially attentive, since bias construction can take a set more readily during long indoor storage.

Tires on an Audi 100 should be inspected before every meaningful drive and more thoroughly several times خلال the year. Look for sidewall cracking, tread separation, punctures, irregular wear, bead issues, and signs that the tire has been run underinflated. On a collector car, visual condition often tells you more than tread depth because the vehicle may not accumulate many miles.

A good routine is to inspect the tires when checking fluids and brakes before seasonal use. If the Audi 100 has been parked for months, give special attention to age-related cracking and to any vibration or thumping during the first few miles, since storage-related issues may reveal themselves only once the car is moving.

Audi 100 tires should be replaced when age, cracking, hardening, impact damage, deformation, or internal separation appear, even if the tread still looks deep. Low-mile collector cars often age out their tires long before they wear them out. A tire that looks cosmetically acceptable can still be unsuitable for road use if the casing and rubber have deteriorated.

That rule matters even more on older specialty applications and on any long-stored car. If an Audi 100 carries a tire of uncertain age, or a tire that has spent years parked under load, treat replacement as preventive maintenance rather than waiting for a visible failure.

Audi 100 fitment varies enough by year that there is no single original tire answer across the whole model group. Early years from 1970 through 1975 appear with both 165R14 and 560-14, 1976 through 1977 continue with 165R14, and later years move into 185/70R14, 205/60R15, and 195/65R15 depending on the period. That spread reflects different eras of the Audi 100 rather than one continuous tire specification.

For restoration work, the best approach is to match the exact year and wheel package first, then decide whether the goal is strict period character or practical road use. Marque literature, surviving original tires, and long-term ownership history are the best references when trying to pin down what belonged on one specific Audi 100 when new.

Correct tire fitment can affect both presentation and judging because size, sidewall style, and construction change how an Audi 100 sits and reads visually. An early car on a period-style bias-ply can look different from the same car on a modern radial, and later cars can be pulled off character by the wrong profile or rim diameter. Judges and knowledgeable buyers notice those details quickly.

For a restored Audi 100, choosing the right size family is usually more important than chasing a specific tread name. If the car will be shown, verify the era-appropriate appearance with marque clubs or event rules so the tire complements the restoration rather than looking like a generic replacement.

Audi 100 tires in this group are offered in blackwall, narrow whitewall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styles. Blackwall is the most natural visual choice for many European-market-style restorations, especially in the metric radial sizes, while whitewall and RWL options are more specialized appearance choices tied to certain replacement styles. The early 560-14 bias-ply offerings provide the broadest period-style whitewall range.

The right sidewall for an Audi 100 restoration depends on what story the car is meant to tell. A factory-looking sedan typically favors a restrained blackwall presentation, while a custom or period-accessorized restoration may justify whitewall treatment if it suits the car’s intended look and regional history.

A correctly sized, properly mounted, and well-maintained tire can be appropriate for public-road use on an Audi 100, but safety depends on matching the construction and dimensions to the car’s actual wheel and intended use. The later metric radial sizes are naturally aligned with normal road driving for their era, while the early 560-14 bias-ply option brings older handling behavior and a narrower margin for error if the car is driven casually like a modern sedan.

Safety starts with honest use expectations. If your Audi 100 is a regularly driven road car, prioritize the correct size and sound condition over appearance alone, and make sure the rest of the chassis, brakes, steering, and alignment are equally ready for use.

Before driving an Audi 100, inspect tire pressure, visible sidewall condition, tread integrity, valve stems, and any signs of rubbing or uneven wear. Confirm that all four tires match the intended size and construction for the car, especially on years where more than one fitment was used. Also look at wheel condition, lug security, and whether the spare matches the road wheel diameter.

That pre-drive check is especially important on a collector car that may sit for long periods. A few minutes spent verifying the tires on an Audi 100 can catch aging, slow leaks, or prior-owner mismatches before they become vibration, poor handling, or roadside trouble.

Appropriate speed for an Audi 100 depends on the exact tire fitted, its condition, and whether the car is on a bias-ply or radial construction. A sound later radial in the correct size can support normal collector-car road use more comfortably than an early-style bias-ply replacement, which will generally feel less settled at speed and respond more to road crown and steering input. Age matters as much as design, since an older tire may be the limiting factor regardless of tread depth.

Treat the car’s behavior as part of the answer. If the Audi 100 shows vibration, wander, or heat buildup, reduce speed and inspect the tires rather than trying to drive through it, and always remember that collector tires should be used with more caution than a modern daily-driver tire package.