The 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro came from an era when Audi was building a reputation around compact all-wheel-drive sedans with a distinctly European feel. Its Quattro layout gives this car a different personality than a typical mid-1980s four-door, so tire choice plays an important role in preserving both its look and its road manners. This model uses radial tires in two 14-inch metric sizes: 175/70R14 and 195/60R14. Available choices range from a narrow whitewall Travelstar UN106 to a blackwall Michelin MXV3-A, giving the car either a more understated touring presentation or a more performance-oriented look. The key is matching the exact size already on the car before comparing style and brand options.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro
The 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro uses two primary tire sizes, and both are radial tires built for 14-inch rims. Because the 4000 Quattro CS can appear with either 175/70R14 or 195/60R14, the first step is confirming which size is already on the car and whether the wheel setup remains original. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to brand, sidewall style, and the overall look you want from the tire.
175/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 175 identifies the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R marks radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro, this size represents a conventional modern radial fitment on a 14-inch wheel. Available choices in this size include the Travelstar UN106 with a narrow whitewall, which gives a more distinctive visual treatment than a plain blackwall. This size is worth considering when the car is already set up for it and you want to stay with the established wheel-and-tire proportions.
195/60R14 is a metric radial size where 195 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro, it is another primary 14-inch fitment rather than an alternative sizing format. This size is available as a blackwall Michelin MXV3-A, giving the car a cleaner, more contemporary European performance look. It makes the most sense when the car already carries this size or when wheel and clearance checks confirm that the current setup is intended for it.
Fitment for the covered 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro sub-model is simple in one sense and still important to verify in another. The 4000 Quattro CS uses radial 14-inch tires, but it can appear with either of the two primary sizes, so checking the car's actual wheel-and-tire setup remains essential before choosing a replacement.
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1986 Audi 4000 Quattro CS
The 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro CS can use either 175/70R14 or 195/60R14, both in radial construction on 14-inch wheels. That means tire selection starts with confirming the size already fitted, then comparing available choices by brand and sidewall style rather than assuming one size applies to every car.
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 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro Tires for Sale
Available 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro tire choices center on two distinct radial fitments: a Travelstar UN106 in 175/70R14 with a narrow whitewall and a Michelin MXV3-A in 195/60R14 as a blackwall. The main comparison points are size, brand, tire series, and overall appearance.
These 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro tire FAQs focus on the two 14-inch radial sizes, sub-model fitment, brand and sidewall choices, and the basic checks that matter before driving a vintage Audi on replacement tires.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro?
The 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro uses two primary tire sizes: 175/70R14 and 195/60R14. Both are radial tires built for 14-inch rims, and the 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro CS can be associated with either size rather than just one fixed fitment.
That makes confirmation important before replacing tires. Check the size already on the car, verify the actual wheel diameter, and account for any past wheel or suspension changes. Since both sizes belong to the same model family, the real question is not whether the car is a 4000 Quattro, but which setup your specific car is using now.
What size rim does a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro use?
Both primary tire sizes for the 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro use a 14-inch rim diameter. The 175/70R14 and 195/60R14 fitments share that same wheel diameter, so the difference between them is in tire width and profile rather than rim size.
A 14-inch wheel does not automatically settle the fitment question, though. Width and previous modifications still matter, especially on an older car that may have changed hands several times. Confirm the wheel diameter stamped on the rim and compare it with the tire size already mounted before choosing between the available replacement options.
What does 175/70R14 mean on a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro?
In 175/70R14, the 175 is the nominal tire width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. It is a modern metric radial size, and it is one of the primary fitments used on the 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro.
Understanding the code helps prevent ordering by wheel diameter alone. A 14-inch tire still needs the right width and profile to match the car's current setup. On a 4000 Quattro, that matters because another 14-inch size, 195/60R14, is also used, so checking the full size marking is more important than checking the rim diameter alone.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro?
Start with the exact size already fitted to the car, because the 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro uses either 175/70R14 or 195/60R14. Both are radial 14-inch fitments, so the first decision is confirming the correct size rather than choosing between bias-ply and radial construction.
After size is confirmed, compare the tire's appearance and character. The 175/70R14 option is offered as a Travelstar UN106 with a narrow whitewall, while the 195/60R14 option appears as a blackwall Michelin MXV3-A. That means the choice can influence both the car's stance and its visual presentation, not just basic replacement fitment.
What sidewall styles are available for 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro tires?
Sidewall style varies with the size and product selected for the 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro. In the currently available choices, 175/70R14 appears with a narrow whitewall, while 195/60R14 is offered as a blackwall.
That difference can shape the car's overall look more than many buyers expect. A narrow whitewall leans toward a more distinctive period presentation, while a blackwall keeps the appearance cleaner and more restrained. Since sidewall style is tied to the tire size and product, confirm the fitment first and then choose the look that suits the car's condition and intent.
What brands offer tires for the 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro?
Current tire choices for the 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro include Travelstar and Michelin. Travelstar appears in 175/70R14 through the UN106 series, while Michelin appears in 195/60R14 through the MXV3-A series.
Brand comparison only matters after the size is settled, because these choices are tied to different fitments rather than multiple brands within one size. A buyer deciding between them should first verify whether the car uses 175/70R14 or 195/60R14, then consider how the available brand, tire series, and sidewall treatment align with the car's current setup and intended use.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro?
A period-style choice for a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro starts with the size already appropriate to the car: either 175/70R14 or 195/60R14. Since both are authentic-to-era metric radial formats, the decision usually comes down to matching the established wheel-and-tire setup rather than searching for an older bias-ply style.
Appearance then becomes the tiebreaker. The narrow whitewall available in 175/70R14 creates a more distinctive vintage presentation, while the blackwall 195/60R14 keeps the car closer to a restrained European sport-sedan look. Buyers pursuing exact originality should compare the car against period photos, window sticker records, or marque-club references before settling on one visual treatment.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro because size affects both appearance and proportion. Even when two tires share the same 14-inch rim diameter, the 175/70R14 and 195/60R14 choices present the car differently and should not be treated as interchangeable without checking the existing setup.
A restoration-minded owner should look at more than tread and sidewall style. Wheel diameter, the current mounted size, and the overall visual stance all contribute to whether the finished car looks consistent with its era. On a model like the 4000 Quattro, that makes tire fitment part of the restoration decision, not just a maintenance purchase.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro. Even though both primary sizes use 14-inch rims, changes such as aftermarket wheels, altered wheel width, suspension work, or ride-height changes can influence which tire size remains appropriate on the car.
That is especially important on an older Audi that may no longer be on its original wheel setup. Check the actual wheel diameter and width, then inspect clearance at the fender, strut, and steering range before replacing tires. A car that once used 175/70R14 may not be set up the same way today, and the same caution applies to 195/60R14.
What should I inspect before driving a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro on new tires?
Before driving a 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and condition, confirm the tire size matches the car's setup, and check that the tires are mounted and inflated properly. It is also wise to inspect for rubbing at full steering lock and under normal suspension compression.
Older collector-era cars benefit from a broader safety check before regular road use. Look over the tread and sidewalls for any shipping or mounting damage, confirm there is no unusual air loss, and make sure the suspension and alignment are in sound condition. A properly fitted tire still depends on the rest of the car being ready for the road.
How should tires on a collector 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1986 Audi 4000 Quattro should be maintained with regular pressure checks, periodic visual inspections, and attention to age-related condition. Whether the car uses 175/70R14 or 195/60R14, low annual mileage does not prevent rubber from aging or developing sidewall issues over time.
Storage conditions matter almost as much as road use. Keep the car away from prolonged heat, direct sunlight, moisture, and ozone sources, and inspect for cracking, bulges, cuts, or uneven wear before each driving season. Routine checks help preserve both the tire and the drivability of a Quattro-era Audi that may spend long periods parked between outings.
