The 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro came from a period when Audi's compact all-wheel-drive sedans had a distinctly European character, blending everyday usability with the traction and road manners that made the Quattro name matter far beyond rally headlines. On this exact model, tire fitment centers on 14-inch radial sizes, but the right choice depends on whether the car is a CS or an S and which wheel-and-tire setup it carries. Available options range from a narrow whitewall Travelstar in 175/70R14 to blackwall Michelin fitments in 195/60R14 and 185/60R14. That makes sub-model identification and a close look at the car's current wheels especially important before selecting replacement tires.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro
Three radial tire sizes apply to the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro, and the correct one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel setup. All three use a 14-inch rim, so the first step is confirming whether the car is a Quattro CS or Quattro S, then checking the wheels currently on the car. Once that is settled, the decision becomes choosing the right tire style and product character within the correct size.
175/70R14 is a metric radial size in which 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 14 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro, this size belongs to the radial fitment family used on a 14-inch wheel. Available choice in this size includes a Travelstar UN106 with a narrow whitewall sidewall treatment. It is a useful option for an owner who wants the correct basic sizing format with a more traditional sidewall presentation than a plain blackwall tire.
195/60R14 is a metric radial size with a 195-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. This lower-profile radial fitment is one of the sizes used on the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro and keeps the selection firmly in modern metric radial territory. In this size, the available product is a Michelin MXV3-A with a blackwall sidewall and V-rated sizing designation. It is the size to evaluate when the car is set up for the wider 195-section fitment rather than the taller 175/70R14 alternative.
185/60R14 is a metric radial size where 185 gives the nominal section width in millimeters, 60 gives the aspect ratio, and 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. For the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro, this size is tied to a specific sub-model application rather than the full range of covered configurations. The available product is a blackwall Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2, and this size includes a stated rim-width range of 5 to 6 inches. It is the right size to pursue only after confirming that the car's exact sub-model and wheel width match this fitment.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro because the covered configurations do not all use the same tire size. The Quattro CS and Quattro S follow different fitment paths, so identifying the exact sub-model is the key first step before comparing tires.
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1987 Audi 4000 Quattro CS
The 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro CS uses two radial tire sizes, 175/70R14 and 195/60R14, both on 14-inch rims. That means tire selection starts with confirming which wheel-and-tire setup is actually on the car, then choosing between available whitewall or blackwall product styles within the correct size.
The 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro S uses 185/60R14 radial tires on a 14-inch rim. Selection is more straightforward here, but wheel width still matters, especially when comparing replacements against the stated 5-to-6-inch rim-width range attached to the available Michelin fitment.
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 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro tires span all three primary radial sizes and include Travelstar and Michelin choices. Buyers can compare blackwall versus narrow whitewall appearance, distinct tire series such as UN106, MXV3-A, and Pilot Exalto PE2, and size-specific rim-width details where stated.
These 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro tire FAQs focus on the questions that matter most once the exact sub-model is known, including tire size, 14-inch rim fitment, product differences, appearance choices, and the checks worth making before road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro?
The 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro uses three radial tire sizes across the covered configurations: 175/70R14, 195/60R14, and 185/60R14. The Quattro CS uses 175/70R14 or 195/60R14, while the Quattro S uses 185/60R14. All of these fitments are built around a 14-inch wheel.
The practical step is matching the tire size to the exact sub-model and the wheels currently on the car. A Quattro CS can appear similar from the outside whether it is wearing the 175 or 195 size, so checking the sidewall marking and wheel setup before choosing a replacement helps avoid ordering the wrong profile or section width.
What size rim does a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro use?
The tire fitments used on the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro all share a 14-inch rim diameter. That applies to 175/70R14, 195/60R14, and 185/60R14, so the vehicle's covered tire choices stay within one wheel diameter even though the section width and profile vary by sub-model and setup.
Rim diameter is only part of the fitment picture, so it is still worth checking wheel width before selecting tires. That becomes especially relevant with 185/60R14, where the available Michelin fitment carries a stated 5-to-6-inch rim-width range. Confirming both diameter and width helps keep the tire choice aligned with the actual wheels on the car.
Do all 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro sub-models do not all share one tire size. The Quattro CS uses either 175/70R14 or 195/60R14, while the Quattro S uses 185/60R14. All are radial tires on 14-inch rims, but the exact size varies by configuration.
That difference matters because a 14-inch tire can still be the wrong fit if the width and profile do not match the car's intended setup. Before choosing tires, verify the sub-model, read the current tire sidewall, and inspect the wheel dimensions if the car has ever been changed from its earlier wheel-and-tire package.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro?
Start with the correct size for the exact car: 175/70R14 or 195/60R14 for the Quattro CS, and 185/60R14 for the Quattro S. From there, compare construction, sidewall style, tire series, and any stated rim-width requirement. The available choices remain radial, but they do not all have the same look or sizing emphasis.
Appearance and intended use both play a role. A narrow whitewall 175/70R14 gives a different presentation than a blackwall Michelin in 195/60R14 or 185/60R14. It also helps to compare the current wheels on the car, since the right size on paper still needs to suit the wheel width and overall setup actually installed.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro tires?
The available sidewall styles for the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro include blackwall and narrow whitewall. The 175/70R14 Travelstar UN106 uses a narrow whitewall, while the Michelin options in 195/60R14 and 185/60R14 use blackwall sidewalls. That gives the car a noticeably different visual character depending on size and product choice.
Sidewall style should be chosen after the correct tire size has been confirmed, not before. A whitewall may suit an owner looking for a more traditional presentation, while blackwall tires usually maintain a more understated European sport-sedan look. Since sidewall style is tied to specific products here, size and appearance need to be evaluated together.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro?
Travelstar and Michelin offer tires in the primary sizes used on the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro. Travelstar appears in 175/70R14 with the UN106 series, while Michelin covers 195/60R14 with the MXV3-A and 185/60R14 with the Pilot Exalto PE2. Each brand is tied to specific sizes rather than every fitment on the car.
That means brand choice begins with confirming the correct size instead of starting with the brand alone. Once the right fitment is established, compare the tire's sidewall style, series character, and any wheel-width note that applies. The right decision usually comes from matching the tire to the car's setup and intended appearance, not from chasing a name first.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro?
A period-style choice for a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro starts with the correct radial size for the exact sub-model, then narrows to the visual character you want. The available selection includes a narrow whitewall Travelstar in 175/70R14 and blackwall Michelin options in 195/60R14 and 185/60R14, all built for 14-inch rims.
For a restoration-oriented car, the right approach is to compare the current wheel-and-tire setup with period photos, owner literature, or marque-specific references before deciding on appearance. That helps separate a broadly era-appropriate look from a configuration that may have been changed over time, especially on a Quattro CS with two possible primary sizes.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro?
On the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro, the primary fitments are all radial, so construction choice does not create a bias-ply-versus-radial appearance question. The visual difference comes more from the actual tire size, the profile shape, and the sidewall treatment, with blackwall and narrow whitewall options producing very different results on the same 14-inch wheel diameter.
For a restored car, those details affect how authentically the finished stance and side view read. A lower-profile 60-series tire gives a different look than a 175/70R14, even though both are correct within the covered fitments. Matching the tire to the specific sub-model and wheel setup helps the appearance stay coherent rather than merely close.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro?
Yes. Even though the 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro uses 14-inch radial fitments, modifications can change what works on the car. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered ride height, suspension work, or body clearance changes can all affect whether the original size choice still suits the vehicle's present setup.
A careful check should include the wheel diameter, wheel width, and the tire size currently mounted, followed by a visual inspection for clearance at full steering lock and through suspension movement. That is especially important on a Quattro CS, where more than one primary size exists and a previous owner may already have changed the package.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro on new tires?
Before putting a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro back into regular road use on new tires, inspect the wheels for damage, confirm the tire size matches the sub-model, and check that the tires seat properly on the rims. It is also wise to look at valve stems, tread direction if applicable, and overall clearance around the suspension and body.
Collector-era cars often sit for long periods, so the first drive should also include a pressure check and a close look for uneven ride height, steering pull, vibration, or rubbing. A short, cautious test drive can reveal issues that are easy to miss in the garage, especially if the car has not worn the same tire size for some time.
How often should tires on a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Audi 4000 Quattro should be inspected regularly, with a quick visual check before driving and a more thorough inspection at routine service intervals or after the car has been stored. Focus on tread condition, sidewall cracking, bulges, cuts, air loss, and any sign of uneven wear across the tread surface.
Cars that see limited use deserve extra attention because age and storage conditions can matter as much as mileage. Checking inflation pressure, keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight and ozone sources during storage, and watching for changes in handling all help catch problems early before a small issue turns into a roadside problem.
