The 1979 Audi 5000 came from the era when Audi was building a strong reputation for crisp European road manners, clean aerodynamic styling, and modern long-distance comfort. For buyers keeping one of these late-1970s sedans on the road, tire choice matters as much for stance and character as it does for everyday drivability. The 1979 Audi 5000 uses a 185/70R14 radial tire on a 14-inch rim, so the focus is not on sorting through multiple factory sizes but on choosing the right version of that fitment. Available options range from blackwall touring and sport-oriented radials to a wide whitewall alternative, making it important to match appearance, wheel fit, and intended use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1979 Audi 5000
The 1979 Audi 5000 uses one primary tire size: 185/70R14, a radial fitment for a 14-inch rim. Both covered sub-models share that same size, so the decision shifts from identifying fitment to choosing the right tire series, sidewall style, and overall presentation for the way the car will be used and maintained.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 185 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1979 Audi 5000, this is the primary fitment and it suits the car’s late-1970s European radial-tire character. Available choices include blackwall tires from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, along with a BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial in a 2.25-inch wide whitewall. This size is the right starting point when preserving proper rim diameter while tailoring the car toward restoration style, touring use, or a more sporting look.
Tire fitment is straightforward across the covered 1979 Audi 5000 sub-models because both use the same primary size. Checking the exact sub-model still helps confirm that the car remains on the correct 14-inch radial setup before comparing tire styles and product details.
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1979 Audi 5000 Gas
The 1979 Audi 5000 Gas uses the shared 185/70R14 radial fitment found across this covered model range. That keeps tire selection centered on sidewall appearance, tire series, and rim-width compatibility rather than on sorting through multiple primary sizes.
The 1979 Audi 5000 Turbo Diesel also uses 185/70R14 radial tires on a 14-inch rim. For this sub-model, the practical choice is between traditional blackwall radial offerings and a more appearance-driven wide whitewall option in the same size.
The tire sizes listed on this page assume factory-standard vehicle configuration. The following modifications may affect tire fitment and are not reflected in this guide:
Suspension changes (lowering, lift kits, spring replacements)
Body alterations (fender modifications, custom bodywork)
If your vehicle has been modified from factory specifications, verify tire clearance before purchase.
Best 1979 Audi 5000 Tires for Sale
Available 185/70R14 choices span BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with several distinct tire series and both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall treatments. Rim-width compatibility also varies by product, so appearance and wheel setup are both worth comparing in the product grid.
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Radial Tires
BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial | 2.25 Inch Whitewall | 185/70R14
Common questions for the 1979 Audi 5000 usually center on the 185/70R14 fitment, 14-inch wheel compatibility, choosing among available radial tire lines, and checking an older European sedan carefully before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1979 Audi 5000?
The 1979 Audi 5000 uses a 185/70R14 radial tire. That same primary size applies to the covered Gas and Turbo Diesel sub-models, which keeps fitment relatively simple compared with vehicles that use different sizes across trim levels or wheel packages.
The main task is confirming that the car still has the correct 14-inch wheels and has not been changed to an aftermarket wheel and tire package over the years. Once wheel diameter is verified, the real choice becomes selecting the right 185/70R14 tire by sidewall style, tire series, rim-width compatibility, and the kind of driving the car sees.
What size rim does a 1979 Audi 5000 use?
The primary tire fitment for the 1979 Audi 5000 is built around a 14-inch rim. That rim diameter is reflected directly in the 185/70R14 size, where the final number identifies the wheel diameter the tire is designed to mount on.
Rim diameter should be confirmed before any tire purchase, especially on older imported cars that may have changed hands several times. A 14-inch tire should only be considered on a 14-inch wheel, and wheel width also matters because available 185/70R14 products can carry different approved rim-width ranges depending on the tire series.
Do all 1979 Audi 5000 sub-models use the same tire size?
Yes. The covered 1979 Audi 5000 sub-models use the same 185/70R14 radial tire size, including both the Gas and Turbo Diesel versions. That means sub-model identification does not change the basic size selection in the way it might on vehicles with multiple wheel or performance packages.
Even with shared fitment, it is still worth checking the actual wheel and tire setup on the car before replacing anything. A previous owner may have changed wheels, altered ride height, or mixed tire brands over time, and those changes can affect how closely a new 185/70R14 matches the car’s present stance and clearance.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 185/70R14 tire for a 1979 Audi 5000?
Start with the correct size and radial construction, since 185/70R14 is the primary fitment for the 1979 Audi 5000. From there, compare the tire’s intended character, sidewall style, approved rim-width range, and whether the car is being kept closer to a restoration-oriented look or driven more regularly on modern roads.
A blackwall radial keeps a traditional late-1970s European presentation, while a wide whitewall creates a very different visual effect. It also helps to compare details such as maximum load figures where stated, tire weight where relevant, and how each tire’s rim-width range matches the wheels currently on the car.
What sidewall styles are available for 1979 Audi 5000 tires?
The available 185/70R14 tires for the 1979 Audi 5000 include both blackwall and wide whitewall sidewall styles. Most of the selection is blackwall, including offerings from Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, while BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial provides a 2.25-inch wide whitewall alternative in the same size.
That choice has a major effect on the car’s finished appearance even though the size stays the same. Buyers preserving a European sport-sedan look often lean toward blackwall tires, while those building a more individualized or restoration-styled presentation may prefer the whitewall option after confirming that the look matches the car’s wheels and trim.
What brands offer tires for the 1979 Audi 5000?
The 1979 Audi 5000’s 185/70R14 fitment is available from BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. Those brands appear across several different tire series, giving the car owner more than one path depending on whether the priority is appearance, period flavor, or the character of a classic radial design.
Brand selection should still come after confirming the correct size and wheel compatibility. Once that is settled, compare each brand’s available series, sidewall treatment, and any stated rim-width or load details rather than assuming that every 185/70R14 tire serves the same purpose on an older Audi sedan.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1979 Audi 5000?
A period-style 1979 Audi 5000 should begin with the correct 185/70R14 radial size, since preserving the proper size and wheel diameter shapes the car’s overall look. Within that fitment, blackwall radials usually align most naturally with the restrained European presentation many owners want from a late-1970s Audi sedan.
Series selection can then refine the character without changing the basic fitment. For a restoration-oriented car, appearance should be balanced with wheel compatibility and intended driving use, and buyers seeking exact historical authenticity should confirm original presentation details through marque references, period literature, or other vehicle-specific sources before making a final choice.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1979 Audi 5000?
Tire construction affects appearance as much as function, but on the 1979 Audi 5000 the primary fitment is already radial. That means the visual decision is less about choosing between bias-ply and radial construction and more about selecting the right radial profile, sidewall treatment, and tire series for the restoration’s overall character.
A blackwall radial tends to support the clean, understated look associated with many European sedans of this period, while a wide whitewall creates a more customized visual statement. Keeping the correct 185/70R14 size is the key step, because even a visually appealing tire can look out of place if the proportions do not suit the car’s wheels and stance.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1979 Audi 5000?
Yes. Even though the primary size for a 1979 Audi 5000 is 185/70R14, modifications can change whether that size remains appropriate in practice. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, suspension lowering, replacement springs, or body alterations can all influence clearance and the way the tire sits within the wheel opening.
A careful measurement check is worthwhile any time the car differs from a stock-style setup. Wheel diameter must remain correct for the tire size, and steering clearance, fender clearance, and current wheel width should be reviewed before replacing tires, especially if the Audi has been updated over time with non-original wheels or chassis changes.
What should I inspect before driving a 1979 Audi 5000 on new tires?
Before putting a 1979 Audi 5000 back into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels, valve stems, lug hardware, and general suspension condition. It also helps to confirm proper inflation, look for fluid leaks that could contaminate the tires, and make sure the alignment and brake system are not creating uneven wear or pulling.
A short test drive followed by a second inspection can reveal rubbing, vibration, or air loss before a longer trip. Collector and low-use cars deserve extra attention because age-related issues such as worn bushings, dry wheel seals, and old spare tires often appear even when tread depth on the removed tires looked acceptable.
How should 185/70R14 tires on a collector 1979 Audi 5000 be maintained?
185/70R14 tires on a collector 1979 Audi 5000 should be kept properly inflated, inspected regularly for cracks, bulges, cuts, and uneven wear, and driven often enough to avoid long-term flat spotting from extended storage. Even a car that sees limited mileage benefits from periodic condition checks because age can matter as much as tread depth.
Storage conditions play a major role in preserving an older set of collector-car tires. Keeping the Audi away from prolonged sunlight, excess heat, moisture, and ozone sources such as electric motors helps slow deterioration, and occasional checks for slow air loss or sidewall aging are smart before seasonal drives or longer highway use.
