Audi 4000 Quattro Tires
Audi 4000 Quattro sits in an important moment of 1980s performance sedan history, bringing Audi’s all-wheel-drive Quattro name into a compact four-door package for U.S. buyers from 1984 through 1987. The Audi 4000 Quattro matters to enthusiasts because it blends everyday practicality with the engineering character that helped define Audi’s rise in the era. Tire selection is not entirely straightforward, since more than one metric radial size appears across the run and 1987 introduces an additional size alongside the earlier choices. The practical first step with any Audi 4000 Quattro is to confirm the exact year and the tire size already fitted to the car’s 14-inch wheels before choosing a replacement.
Audi 4000 Quattro Tire Size Guide
Audi 4000 Quattro uses three distinct tire sizes across the 1984 to 1987 production span, and all of them are metric radial sizes built for 14-inch wheels. The main point to sort out is year and configuration, since 175/70R14 and 195/60R14 run through the full span while 185/60R14 appears in 1987 as an additional fitment.
175/70R14 fits Audi 4000 Quattro models from 1984 through 1987 where that narrower 14-inch fitment is called for. The code indicates a 175 mm section width, a 70 aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. Choose this size when the car is already set up for the taller-profile option, especially if preserving the stance associated with this fitment, and confirm the current sidewall and wheel markings before replacing.
195/60R14 also fits Audi 4000 Quattro models from 1984 through 1987 and represents a wider, lower-profile 14-inch option within the model run. The code indicates a 195 mm section width, a 60 aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. Choose this size when the car is already wearing the broader fitment and you want to stay with the same overall specification rather than switching by year alone.
185/60R14 applies to 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro fitments and appears only in the final year listed here. The code indicates a 185 mm section width, a 60 aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter, with the available product specifying a 5 to 6.0 inch rim width range. Choose this size only when a 1987 car is specifically equipped for it, since that model year also appears with other 14-inch sizes.
Buyers with a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro should identify the specific configuration before selecting a tire, since that year carries three sizes on the same 14-inch rim diameter and the split should be confirmed by trim level or body style.
Audi 4000 Quattro Tires by Year
Audi 4000 Quattro year listings separate the available tire sizes by model year so you can match the car before comparing products. In 1987, more than two sizes are listed, which points to a configuration split within that year rather than a wheel-diameter change. All listed sizes use 14-inch wheels, so the key step is confirming which size the specific car was equipped to use.
1984 Audi 4000 Quattro
- 175/70R14
- 195/60R14
1985 Audi 4000 Quattro
- 175/70R14
- 195/60R14
1986 Audi 4000 Quattro
- 175/70R14
- 195/60R14
1987 Audi 4000 Quattro
- 175/70R14
- 195/60R14
- 185/60R14
Best Audi 4000 Quattro Tires for Sale
Three products from two brands are available across 175/70R14, 195/60R14, and 185/60R14 sizes for Audi 4000 Quattro applications. Confirm the correct size for the specific year and verify the 14-inch rim diameter before selecting.
175/70R14 Products
These are the available products for 175/70R14.
195/60R14 Products
These are the available products for 195/60R14.
185/60R14 Products
These are the available products for 185/60R14.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below focus on the size differences found across 1984 to 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro models, especially the three-size split in 1987, the meaning of the metric radial codes, and the brand and sidewall options available in these 14-inch sizes.
Size Basics & Fitment
Audi 4000 Quattro uses three tire sizes across the 1984 to 1987 span: 175/70R14, 195/60R14, and 185/60R14. Both 175/70R14 and 195/60R14 appear from 1984 through 1987, while 185/60R14 appears in 1987 only. Every listed size is a radial built for a 14-inch rim, so the main differences are section width and aspect ratio rather than wheel diameter.
That means a year match alone is not enough, especially on a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro. Start by checking the size molded into the tire sidewall already on the car, then compare it with the wheel and overall setup before replacing anything. Staying with the same size already fitted is usually the cleanest path unless you are correcting a previous mismatch.
A 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro can be associated with 175/70R14, 195/60R14, or 185/60R14, even though all three use the same 14-inch rim diameter. That kind of split usually reflects a configuration difference within the model year rather than a wheel-size change. The fitment question is therefore about which specification the specific car carries, not simply whether it is a 1987.
The practical takeaway is to verify the exact setup on the individual Audi 4000 Quattro before changing tires. Check the sidewall marking on the current tires, compare front and rear to make sure they match, and confirm the wheel width if you are considering the 185/60R14 option, since the available product for that size is specified for 5 to 6.0 inch rims.
Every Audi 4000 Quattro tire size listed here uses a 14-inch rim diameter. That is true for 175/70R14, 195/60R14, and 185/60R14, so there is no wheel-diameter change across the 1984 to 1987 range covered here. The variation is entirely in the tire size itself, not in the wheel diameter.
Even with a constant 14-inch wheel, the correct replacement still depends on width and profile. A 175/70R14 and a 195/60R14 will both mount on 14-inch wheels, but they are not interchangeable without considering the car’s existing setup. Confirm the full sidewall size, not just the wheel diameter, before fitting a replacement tire.
On an Audi 4000 Quattro, 175/70R14 is a modern metric radial size. The 175 is the section width in millimeters, the 70 is the aspect ratio, meaning the sidewall height is 70 percent of the section width, the R indicates radial construction, and the 14 is the rim diameter in inches. It is one of the two sizes that appears across the full 1984 to 1987 run.
Understanding that code helps you avoid selecting a tire that only shares the same wheel diameter. A 14-inch tire with a different width or aspect ratio can change the car’s appearance and overall fit. If your Audi 4000 Quattro is currently wearing 175/70R14, keeping that exact size is the simplest way to preserve the specification the car is already set up for.
Buying the Right Tire
A 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro may use 175/70R14, 195/60R14, or 185/60R14, so the correct approach is to confirm the exact size already fitted to the car and compare that with the wheel setup. All three are 14-inch radial sizes, but they differ in width and profile. The 185/60R14 option also has an available product specified for a 5 to 6.0 inch rim-width range.
Begin with the sidewall marking on the current tires, then verify that the same size is fitted at all four corners. If the car is a restoration or long-term collector example, compare that information with period paperwork or guidance from an Audi marque specialist. That extra check matters most in 1987 because the model year carries more than one valid size.
Audi 4000 Quattro tires listed here are available in both narrow whitewall and blackwall sidewall styles. The 175/70R14 Travelstar Radial is a narrow whitewall, while the Michelin offerings in 195/60R14 and 185/60R14 are blackwalls. That gives buyers a choice between a more period-accessory appearance and a more performance-oriented visual presentation.
Most buyers trying to preserve an original late-1980s European sport-sedan look will gravitate toward blackwalls, especially on a driver or preservation car. A narrow whitewall can still suit an owner who wants a distinctive appearance, but it changes the visual character of the Audi 4000 Quattro. Matching sidewall style to the car’s intended look is just as important as matching the size.
Two brands appear in the available Audi 4000 Quattro tire offerings: Travelstar and Michelin. Travelstar is represented in 175/70R14, while Michelin appears in both 195/60R14 and 185/60R14. All of the listed products are radial tires built for 14-inch applications.
Brand choice matters after the correct size has been established, not before. Once you know whether your Audi 4000 Quattro needs 175/70R14, 195/60R14, or 185/60R14, you can compare the available brand and sidewall combination in that size. If you are trying to keep a consistent look and feel across the car, avoid substituting a different size simply to reach a preferred brand.
Three tire series appear in the Audi 4000 Quattro offerings here: Travelstar UN106, Michelin MXV3-A, and Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2. Each is a radial 14-inch tire, but they are tied to different fitment sizes rather than being direct alternatives within one shared size. The series distinction here is therefore less about choosing between old and new construction types and more about choosing the product that matches the size your car requires.
The best way to use the series information is after fitment has been narrowed down. If your Audi 4000 Quattro uses 195/60R14, the available Michelin MXV3-A matches that specification; if it uses 185/60R14, the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 is the listed option. Treat the series name as the final product-level choice once the car’s correct size has been confirmed.
Maintenance & Longevity
An Audi 4000 Quattro should be stored on clean, properly inflated tires in a cool, dry, dark space away from direct sunlight, ozone sources, and wide temperature swings. Long stationary periods can create flat spotting, especially on lower-profile collector-car tires that are used intermittently. Clean floors and protection from petroleum spills also help preserve the rubber.
If the Audi 4000 Quattro will sit for extended periods, move it occasionally to change the tire contact patch or place it on stands according to safe workshop practice. Keep the car’s weight distributed evenly and recheck inflation before driving again. Good storage habits matter as much as mileage on a collector-oriented 1980s car because age affects rubber even when tread remains deep.
Tires on an Audi 4000 Quattro should be inspected before regular road use and again after any long storage period. Look for sidewall cracking, uneven wear, punctures, flat spotting, vibration, and any mismatch in size or construction across the car. Collector vehicles often age out their tires before they wear them out, so visual condition and feel on the road both matter.
A practical routine is to check inflation and condition at the start of every driving season, then inspect again before highway use or a longer trip. If the Audi 4000 Quattro has been parked for months, a short low-speed test can reveal vibration or hardness that is easy to miss in the garage. Any change in ride quality deserves prompt attention.
Tires on an Audi 4000 Quattro should be replaced when they show age cracking, repeated loss of air, impact damage, tread separation, persistent vibration, or visible hardening of the rubber even if the tread still looks serviceable. Low-mile collector use can hide deterioration because the tire ages structurally long before it appears worn out. Calendar age and condition matter more than tread depth alone on many enthusiast cars.
That means a well-preserved Audi 4000 Quattro should still have its tires evaluated as age-sensitive components rather than permanent equipment. If the car has an unknown tire history, assume inspection is overdue and have the set reviewed before extended driving. Replacing an aged set proactively is usually wiser than waiting for visible tread wear on a seldom-driven car.
Restoration & Authenticity
Audi 4000 Quattro appears here with 175/70R14 and 195/60R14 across 1984 through 1987, plus 185/60R14 in 1987. The available product range includes radial tires only, with blackwall and narrow whitewall sidewall styles represented. That combination points to multiple valid replacement directions depending on year and configuration rather than one single universal original specification.
For a restoration-minded Audi 4000 Quattro owner, the best reference is the car itself along with period paperwork, window sticker information, and Audi marque expertise. Use the year listing to narrow the choices, then match what was originally fitted if authenticity is the goal. Sidewall style should also be chosen with the intended period look in mind, not just the size code.
Correct tire fitment can influence both presentation and credibility on an Audi 4000 Quattro, especially as these cars move deeper into collector territory. The right size preserves the intended proportions of the wheel opening and helps the car sit as expected, while an obviously incorrect width or profile can distract from an otherwise careful restoration. Sidewall style can also affect how authentic the finished car appears.
For owners concerned with shows or marque judging, it is worth confirming the size and appearance details before fitting a new set. A blackwall generally aligns more naturally with the performance-sedan character of an Audi 4000 Quattro, while a narrow whitewall creates a different visual statement. Consistency across all four tires is important if the car is being presented seriously.
Audi 4000 Quattro tires listed here are available in blackwall and narrow whitewall form. Blackwall is offered in the Michelin sizes, while the Travelstar 175/70R14 uses a narrow whitewall. Both will physically suit the right size application, but they create distinctly different appearances on the car.
For most authentic late-1980s Audi 4000 Quattro restorations, blackwall is usually the more natural visual choice because it matches the sporty, European character of the model. A narrow whitewall is better viewed as a style decision than a default restoration answer. If originality matters, compare the replacement against period photos and the individual car’s prior presentation before deciding.
Safety & Road Use
The listed Audi 4000 Quattro tires are modern radial products in the correct 14-inch fitment sizes, which makes them appropriate candidates for public-road use when they are in sound condition and correctly fitted. Safety still depends on the full vehicle being roadworthy, including brakes, suspension, steering, alignment, and wheel condition. A correct size alone does not make an otherwise neglected car safe to drive.
Before regular use, make sure the Audi 4000 Quattro has a matched set, stable air pressure, and no rubbing or clearance issues through full steering travel. Any newly acquired car should be driven cautiously until its mechanical condition is understood. Even a proper tire choice needs to be supported by a sorted chassis and a careful pre-drive inspection.
Before driving an Audi 4000 Quattro, check tire pressure, tread and sidewall condition, valve stems, wheel fastener security, and whether all four tires match in size and construction. Also inspect for cracks, bulges, punctures, or uneven wear that could point to alignment or suspension issues. If the car has been sitting, pay attention to flat spotting or vibration on the first miles.
On a model with multiple valid sizes such as the Audi 4000 Quattro, it is especially important to confirm that no previous owner mixed one fitment with another. A consistent set helps the car behave predictably and preserves the balance intended by its drivetrain and chassis. If anything feels unusual at speed, stop and inspect before continuing.
An Audi 4000 Quattro should always be driven at speeds appropriate to the actual condition and age of the tires fitted, not merely the car’s capabilities. Fresh, correctly sized radial tires in good condition provide a far different margin than aged, hardened, or long-stored tires, even when tread depth appears acceptable. The tire’s present condition is the real limiter on a collector-driven 1980s Audi.
The sensible approach is to build speed gradually after confirming inflation, balance, and general roadworthiness. If the Audi 4000 Quattro is newly back on the road or wearing older tires of uncertain age, keep speeds moderate until the set has proven smooth and stable in service. Enthusiast driving should begin only after the entire car has been thoroughly sorted.