The 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro sits in the era when Audi was firmly establishing its reputation for refined all-weather performance, aerodynamic design, and sophisticated European road manners. For many owners, that means tire choice is about preserving the car’s balanced feel as much as matching the right dimensions. This model uses radial tires, with fitment split between 205/60R15 and 185/70R14 depending on sub-model. That opens the door to very different tire presentations, from understated blackwalls to wide whitewalls and raised white letter styling, along with several established tire series. The key is confirming the exact sub-model and wheel setup before choosing between restoration-minded appearance and everyday road use priorities.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro
The 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro uses two primary tire sizes, and the right one depends on the specific sub-model as well as wheel diameter. One fitment uses a 15-inch rim and the other uses a 14-inch rim, so confirming the actual wheel size on the car is the first step. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to tire character, sidewall style, and which radial option best matches the way the car is being driven and presented.
205/60R15 is a metric radial size in which 205 refers to section width in millimeters, 60 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro, this size supports a lower-profile radial presentation than the 14-inch fitment and is tied to a specific sub-model configuration. Available choices include blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter sidewalls from brands such as Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich. This size is the one to evaluate when the car is equipped with 15-inch wheels and the goal is to keep the fitment aligned with that setup.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size where 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R designates radial construction, and 14 identifies the rim diameter in inches. For the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro, this size belongs to a different sub-model and carries a more traditional 14-inch wheel fitment. Product choices lean heavily toward blackwall tires, though a wide whitewall option is also available, with brands including BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein. This is the size to focus on when originality of wheel diameter and proper sub-model fitment matter more than simply matching overall appearance.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro because the covered versions do not share the same tire size or rim diameter. Identifying whether the car is an S or a CS is the first step, since that determines whether the car uses a 14-inch or 15-inch radial fitment.
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1987 Audi 5000 Quattro CS
The 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro CS uses the 205/60R15 radial fitment, which places it on a 15-inch wheel setup. Tire selection here is less about choosing among sizes and more about deciding between blackwall, wide whitewall, or raised white letter styling within the correct 15-inch format.
The 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro S uses the 185/70R14 radial fitment on a 14-inch wheel. That makes wheel confirmation especially important before purchase, and it also gives the owner a choice between more understated blackwall options and a restoration-oriented whitewall presentation.
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 5000 Quattro Tires for Sale
Available choices for the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro span both primary sizes and include Michelin, BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Avon, Dunlop, and Vredestein. The main points of comparison are wheel diameter, tire series, sidewall style, and rim-width compatibility within each radial fitment.
These FAQs focus on the exact tire sizes used on the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro, how fitment changes between S and CS sub-models, and what to compare when choosing radial tires for road use, appearance, and wheel compatibility.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro?
A 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro uses one of two radial tire sizes: 205/60R15 or 185/70R14. The 205/60R15 size applies to the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro CS, while the 185/70R14 size applies to the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro S.
The practical decision starts with confirming the exact sub-model and checking the wheel diameter on the car. Since these two fitments use different rim sizes, choosing by appearance alone can lead to the wrong tire. Once the correct size is confirmed, compare sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width compatibility within that specific fitment.
What size rim does a 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro use?
The 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro uses either a 15-inch rim or a 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The CS uses the 205/60R15 fitment on a 15-inch wheel, and the S uses the 185/70R14 fitment on a 14-inch wheel.
Wheel diameter is the first thing to verify before selecting tires for this car. A tire built for a 14-inch rim cannot be used on a 15-inch wheel, and the reverse is equally true. If the car has been altered over the years, check the actual wheel stamping or current tire size before deciding which replacement options belong on it.
Do all 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro S and 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro CS do not share the same tire size. The S uses 185/70R14 radial tires, while the CS uses 205/60R15 radial tires.
That difference affects more than the size printed on the sidewall. It also changes wheel diameter, available tire series, and the sidewall styles you can choose from. Before ordering tires, make sure the car’s sub-model matches the wheel and tire setup currently installed, especially if the car has had wheel changes or has been stored with non-original wheels.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro?
Start with the correct size for the exact sub-model: 205/60R15 for the 5000 Quattro CS or 185/70R14 for the 5000 Quattro S. From there, compare radial construction details such as rim-width range, sidewall treatment, tire series, and any published load information that fits the car’s intended use.
A buyer restoring the car’s period presentation may look closely at whitewall options, while an owner focused on a more restrained European appearance may prefer blackwalls. It also helps to match the tire to how the car is driven. A weekend collector car and a regularly exercised road car may lead to different priorities even within the same correct size.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro include blackwall, wide whitewall, and raised white letter styling, depending on tire size. The 205/60R15 fitment offers all three presentations, while the 185/70R14 fitment is available mainly in blackwall with a wide whitewall option as well.
That gives owners room to match the tire to the car’s intended look instead of treating every radial as visually the same. A blackwall generally keeps the presentation understated, while wide whitewalls create a more overt vintage look. Raised white letters on the 15-inch fitment bring in a more performance-oriented appearance, so the right choice depends on how the car is being finished and used.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro?
Brands available across the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro fitments include Michelin, BFGoodrich, American Classic, Coker Classic, Avon, Dunlop, and Vredestein. Brand availability depends on tire size, so the 14-inch and 15-inch sub-model fitments do not share the exact same product mix.
That makes it smart to compare brands only after the correct size is confirmed. Once the fitment is narrowed down, look at each brand’s sidewall style, tire series, and rim-width range rather than assuming every option serves the same purpose. On this Audi, the strongest differences are often appearance and fitment details, not simply the brand name on the sidewall.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro?
A period-style choice starts with the correct sub-model size, since the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro S uses 185/70R14 and the CS uses 205/60R15. After size is settled, the most restoration-oriented decisions are sidewall treatment and tire series, especially when comparing blackwall, wide whitewall, or raised white letter options.
For a restrained European look, blackwall tires usually keep the visual presentation closest to the car’s original era character. Whitewalls and raised white letters create a more stylized result and may suit a custom presentation better than a strict restoration. When exact originality matters, compare the car against period photos, window sticker records, or marque-specific references before choosing a sidewall style.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro?
On the 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro, tire construction is straightforward because the primary fitments are radial in both sizes. That means the appearance decision is shaped less by bias-ply versus radial and more by the specific radial tire’s sidewall style, profile, and overall visual character on either a 14-inch or 15-inch wheel.
Even within radial construction, the finished look can change noticeably. A blackwall can make the Audi look cleaner and more understated, while a wide whitewall introduces a stronger vintage accent that was not typical of many European sedans of the period. Matching the correct size first is essential, because the car’s stance and proportions depend heavily on whether it is an S or a CS.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro?
Yes. A 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro that has aftermarket wheels, altered suspension height, or body changes may no longer match its original sub-model tire setup. Since this car already spans both 14-inch and 15-inch fitments depending on version, modifications can complicate tire selection quickly.
Checking the actual wheel diameter and width on the car is the best starting point. After that, inspect clearance at the fender, strut, and steering range before moving to a new tire. Even when the sidewall size appears close to the original fitment, changes in wheel specification or ride height can affect how the tire sits and behaves on the vehicle.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro on new tires?
Before road use, inspect the wheels for proper diameter and condition, confirm that all four tires match the intended fitment, and check inflation pressure once the tires are mounted. It is also wise to look over valve stems, wheel hardware, and general clearance at the suspension and body.
A collector or lightly used Audi can hide age-related issues even after new tires are installed. Examine the rest of the chassis for worn shocks, loose steering components, or alignment problems that could affect tire wear and road feel. A short test drive followed by a second pressure and clearance check helps confirm that the setup is settled correctly.
How often should tires on a 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Audi 5000 Quattro should be inspected regularly, especially if the car sees occasional use or long storage periods. Pressure, tread condition, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and signs of air loss are all worth checking before routine driving and again before longer highway trips.
Older enthusiast cars often accumulate fewer miles, which can make age and storage conditions just as important as tread depth. Looking over the tires every month and before any extended drive is a sensible habit. Storage away from prolonged sunlight, heat, moisture, and ozone sources also helps preserve the condition of radial tires fitted to a collector-era Audi.
