1972 Audi 100 Tires

A 1972 Audi 100 uses either a 165R14 radial tire or a 560-14 bias-ply tire. Both sizes are associated with this model and both use a 14-inch rim, so the main difference is the sizing system and tire construction rather than wheel diameter.

Choosing between them starts with the car's present wheel setup and the kind of driving or appearance you want. A car already arranged around radial-compatible wheel widths may point you toward 165R14, while a restoration-minded setup may favor 560-14 bias-ply. Wheel width, clearance, and any past changes should be confirmed before selecting either route.

The 1972 Audi 100 uses a 14-inch rim with both of its primary tire sizes, 165R14 and 560-14. That shared rim diameter makes the construction choice more important than the wheel diameter question, since both fitment paths remain within the same 14-inch wheel family.

Rim diameter is only part of the decision, though, because the available products do not share the same rim-width ranges. Some 165R14 radial options suit wider rims than the 560-14 bias-ply choices, so the wheel should be measured rather than assumed. That is especially important on a car that may have changed wheels during decades of ownership.

On a 1972 Audi 100, 560-14 is a numeric bias-ply tire size. The 5.60 refers to the tire's nominal section width in inches, written without a decimal in the size code, and the 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches.

That older sizing format looks familiar to vintage-car owners but can seem unusual compared with modern metric radial markings. For this Audi, 560-14 points you toward a traditional bias-ply construction with period-style blackwall or whitewall choices. Before using it, verify that the wheel width matches bias-ply requirements and that the car has adequate clearance on its current suspension and wheel setup.

A 165R14 for a 1972 Audi 100 should first be chosen as a radial fitment on a 14-inch rim, then narrowed by brand, tire series, and wheel compatibility. Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein all appear in this size, and the available products stay within a blackwall presentation with different series character.

The next step is comparing the details that affect how the tire suits the car you actually have. Rim-width range matters, especially if the wheels are no longer original in width, and load or weight differences may also be relevant depending on how the car is used. A restoration-focused owner may lean toward period European styling, while a driver may prioritize the overall setup match.

Sidewall choice depends on which primary tire size you select for a 1972 Audi 100. The 165R14 radial options are available as blackwalls, while the 560-14 bias-ply options include blackwall, narrow whitewall, and wide whitewall versions.

That makes sidewall style part of the overall construction decision, not just a cosmetic extra. Blackwall radials tend to preserve a restrained European look, while whitewall bias-ply tires create a more vintage visual statement. The best choice depends on how the car is being presented and whether the wheel width and setup support the tire construction you want to run.

The 1972 Audi 100 has available tire choices from Pirelli, Michelin, Vredestein, and BFGoodrich. Pirelli, Michelin, and Vredestein appear in the 165R14 radial size, while BFGoodrich covers the 560-14 bias-ply size through the Silvertown Classic Bias Ply series.

Brand choice should be considered alongside size, construction, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility rather than treated as the only decision. For example, selecting BFGoodrich also means selecting the bias-ply 560-14 fitment path, while choosing Pirelli, Michelin, or Vredestein means moving into the radial 165R14 group. Start with the correct size and wheel setup, then compare the brand and series options within that lane.

A period-style 1972 Audi 100 can be approached in two different ways depending on the look and construction you want to preserve. The 165R14 radial keeps the car in a classic European radial format, while the 560-14 bias-ply gives a more traditional vintage presentation and opens the door to blackwall or whitewall styling.

The right choice depends on whether the goal is to emphasize the Audi's European road-car character or a more restoration-oriented visual impression. Exact originality can vary by market, trim history, and prior changes, so owners pursuing a strict historical standard should compare the car against marque-specific references. Wheel width should also be confirmed before settling on a final construction type.

Tire construction changes the visual character of a restored 1972 Audi 100 almost as much as the sidewall itself. A 165R14 radial gives the car a classic Euro-sedan look, while a 560-14 bias-ply adds a more overtly vintage impression, especially when paired with narrow or wide whitewall styling.

That visual difference matters because the Audi 100 sits in an early-1970s space where both restraint and tradition can look appropriate depending on the restoration direction. Construction also influences what wheel widths suit the tire, so appearance should never be judged in isolation. A good-looking result still needs to match the rim and maintain proper clearance on the car's current setup.

Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1972 Audi 100 even when the car stays within the correct 14-inch rim diameter. Aftermarket wheels, changes in rim width, suspension alterations, or body work around the wheel openings can all change how well either a 165R14 radial or 560-14 bias-ply suits the car.

That matters because the two primary sizes also carry different construction requirements and product-specific rim-width ranges. A car that once used bias-ply tires may have been updated over the years, and a car on radials may no longer have stock-width wheels. Measuring the wheels and checking clearance at steering lock and suspension movement is the safest way to confirm the actual setup.

Before driving a 1972 Audi 100 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and width, make sure the tires are seated and inflated properly, and look over the suspension and steering for looseness that could affect how the car tracks. Clearance around fenders and steering components should also be checked.

A collector car that sees limited use deserves extra attention because age-related issues often show up outside the tread area. Sidewall condition on existing spares, wheel corrosion, uneven wear from alignment problems, and slow air loss can all become more noticeable once fresh tires are installed. A short, careful road test is a smart way to confirm that everything feels consistent before longer driving.

Tires on a collector 1972 Audi 100 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and checked for air loss if the car spends long periods parked. Low-use classics often age out tires by time and storage conditions long before tread depth becomes the real issue.

Storage habits matter just as much as mileage on a car from this era. Keeping the Audi away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources helps preserve sidewall condition, while periodic movement can help prevent long-term flat spotting. It is also wise to inspect the spare and confirm that any replacement still matches the car's chosen size and construction path.