The 1987 Audi 5000 sits in the era when Audi was defining its modern executive-sedan identity with clean aerodynamics, front-wheel-drive packaging, and a distinctly European road feel. Buyers looking after one today are usually balancing originality, driving manners, and the visual character that suits the car’s trim level. Tire fitment depends on sub-model, with the 5000 CS using 205/60R15 radials and the 5000 S using 185/70R14 radials. That opens the door to different brand families, blackwall and whitewall presentations, and more performance-oriented or classic-style radial choices. The right decision starts with confirming the exact sub-model and wheel diameter before comparing appearance, rim compatibility, and intended road use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Audi 5000
Two tire sizes apply to the 1987 Audi 5000, and the correct one depends on the specific sub-model and wheel diameter. The 5000 CS uses a 15-inch radial fitment, while the 5000 S uses a 14-inch radial fitment. Before choosing a tire, confirm whether the car is a CS or S and verify the wheel diameter actually on the car, especially if wheels have been changed over the years.
185/70R14 is a metric radial size where 185 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R denotes radial construction, and 14 identifies the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1987 Audi 5000, this size is used on the 5000 S and carries a more traditional 14-inch fitment. Product choices include BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein, with both Blackwall and Wide Whitewall options depending on the look you want. This is the size to evaluate when the car is an S model or when its current wheel setup is still built around the original 14-inch format.
Sub-model fitment matters on the 1987 Audi 5000 because the covered versions do not share the same tire size or wheel diameter. Confirming whether the car is a 5000 CS or 5000 S is the first step before comparing tires, since each version starts from a different radial fitment.
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1987 Audi 5000 CS
The 1987 Audi 5000 CS uses the 205/60R15 radial size, so tire selection begins with a 15-inch wheel package rather than the 14-inch setup used elsewhere in the model line. That makes the next decision more about brand, sidewall presentation, and rim-width compatibility than about sorting through multiple primary sizes.
The 1987 Audi 5000 S uses the 185/70R14 radial size, which places it on a different wheel diameter from the CS. Tire selection for the S therefore centers on keeping the correct 14-inch fitment and then choosing among blackwall or whitewall options and the different radial series available in that 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 1987 Audi 5000 Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Audi 5000 tires vary by sub-model size, brand, tire series, and sidewall treatment. Choices include Michelin, BFGoodrich, American Classic, Avon, Dunlop, Coker Classic, and Vredestein, with Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and RWL options depending on the size and the look you want.
These 1987 Audi 5000 tire FAQs focus on the two correct sizes, the CS versus S fitment split, wheel-diameter confirmation, available radial choices, appearance decisions, and the checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Audi 5000?
The 1987 Audi 5000 uses two different tire sizes depending on sub-model. The 5000 CS uses 205/60R15 radial tires, while the 5000 S uses 185/70R14 radial tires. Both are metric radial sizes, but they are built around different wheel diameters, so the correct choice starts with identifying the exact version of the car.
A buyer should confirm both the badge on the car and the wheel diameter before choosing tires, since a CS-size tire cannot be selected safely for a 14-inch wheel and an S-size tire cannot be mounted on a 15-inch wheel. Modified cars can add more complexity, so checking the actual wheel setup on the vehicle is just as important as confirming the model designation.
What size rim does a 1987 Audi 5000 use?
Rim size depends on the sub-model. The 1987 Audi 5000 CS uses a 15-inch rim with 205/60R15 tires, while the 1987 Audi 5000 S uses a 14-inch rim with 185/70R14 tires. The tire code itself confirms that difference, since the last number in each size is the wheel diameter in inches.
Wheel diameter should be verified before any tire purchase, especially on cars that may have had replacement wheels installed over time. Width matters too, because the available tires in both sizes carry recommended rim-width ranges. Once the wheel diameter and width are confirmed, it becomes much easier to compare sidewall style, brand, and series without risking a mismatch.
Do all 1987 Audi 5000 sub-models use the same tire size?
No. The 1987 Audi 5000 CS and 1987 Audi 5000 S do not share the same tire size. The CS uses 205/60R15 radials, while the S uses 185/70R14 radials. That means the two sub-models differ not only in tire size but also in wheel diameter, which makes fitment a straightforward but important distinction.
That difference matters because tire selection is not just a matter of choosing the style you prefer. The correct starting point is the car’s exact sub-model and the wheel diameter currently on it. Once that is settled, the decision shifts to the kind of radial tire you want, such as a blackwall for a more understated look or a whitewall if a more classic presentation suits the car.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1987 Audi 5000?
Start with the correct sub-model size: 205/60R15 for the 5000 CS or 185/70R14 for the 5000 S. After that, compare radial construction details that matter to your car and your goals, including wheel diameter, recommended rim-width range, sidewall style, tire series, and load figures where they are given.
A practical choice often comes down to how the car will be used and how you want it to look. Some owners prefer a European-style blackwall presentation, while others want a whitewall for a more distinctive period feel. On a car with replacement wheels, verifying width and clearance first keeps the tire decision focused on suitable options rather than on correcting a fitment mismatch afterward.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Audi 5000 tires?
Sidewall choices for the 1987 Audi 5000 include Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and RWL depending on tire size. In 205/60R15, the available styles include Blackwall, Wide Whitewall, and RWL. In 185/70R14, Blackwall and Wide Whitewall options are available, giving the S model both restrained and more traditional-looking presentations.
The sidewall treatment changes the car’s overall appearance more than many owners expect, especially on a clean 1980s European sedan. Blackwall usually keeps the look closer to a stock everyday road car, while whitewall adds a more custom or classic visual cue. RWL has a more performance-flavored presentation, but it should still be chosen only after confirming the correct size and wheel fitment for the specific sub-model.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Audi 5000?
The 1987 Audi 5000 has tire choices from Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, and Vredestein, depending on the size. The 205/60R15 CS fitment includes Michelin, American Classic, Coker Classic, and BFGoodrich. The 185/70R14 S fitment includes BFGoodrich, Avon, Dunlop, Michelin, and Vredestein.
Brand choice is best treated as one part of a broader comparison rather than the only decision. Tire series, sidewall styling, and wheel-width compatibility can affect which option makes the most sense for your Audi. Some selections lean toward a clean touring look, while others suit a more classic or enthusiast-oriented presentation, so matching the tire to the car’s purpose is just as important as the brand name.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Audi 5000?
A period-style choice starts with the correct size for the sub-model: 205/60R15 for the 5000 CS or 185/70R14 for the 5000 S. From there, the visual direction matters. Blackwall tires usually suit the Audi’s original European executive-sedan character, while whitewall options create a different, more stylized appearance that some owners may prefer for a distinctive restoration theme.
When originality is important, the safest approach is to confirm the car’s historical tire presentation through marque references, original literature, or other vehicle-specific documentation before selecting a sidewall treatment. Even within the correct size, different radial series can change the car’s visual stance and character, so the best choice is the one that matches both the wheel setup and the restoration goal.
How does tire construction affect the appearance of a restored 1987 Audi 5000?
On the 1987 Audi 5000, the primary fitments are radial tires, so the main appearance difference usually comes from sidewall treatment and tire series rather than from choosing between bias-ply and radial construction. A blackwall radial tends to preserve the clean, understated look associated with many European sedans of the period, while wide whitewalls create a much different visual impression.
Construction still matters in a subtle way because tire shape, profile, and shoulder design can influence how the wheel opening looks once the car is on the ground. Selecting the correct size first keeps the proportions believable. After that, the owner can decide whether the goal is an understated road-car presentation, a more classic show-field look, or something in between.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Audi 5000?
Yes. Any change to wheels, suspension height, alignment, or body clearance can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Audi 5000. That matters here because the car already uses two different factory tire sizes depending on sub-model, and each size is built around a different wheel diameter. Even a correct-size tire can become a poor choice if the wheel itself has changed.
A modified Audi should be checked for actual wheel diameter, wheel width, and available clearance at the fender, strut, and steering range before settling on a tire. Cars that have been lowered or fitted with aftermarket wheels deserve extra attention. Confirming those points early helps avoid rubbing, mounting conflicts, or a tire choice that looks right on paper but clashes with the car’s current setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Audi 5000 on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Audi 5000 on new tires, inspect the wheels for correct diameter and sound condition, make sure the tires are mounted in the correct size for the sub-model, and check inflation pressure once the tires are installed. It also makes sense to confirm valve stems, balance, and basic alignment condition so the new tires start service on the right footing.
A short, careful road test should include attention to vibration, pull, rubbing during turns, and any sign of contact under compression. Older collector cars can reveal suspension or steering issues only after fresh tires are fitted. Looking over tread and sidewalls regularly during the first several drives helps catch pressure loss or clearance problems before they become more serious.
How often should tires on a 1987 Audi 5000 be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Audi 5000 should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. A visual check before drives and a closer inspection at routine service intervals is a sensible habit. Look for cracking, cuts, bulges, uneven wear, embedded debris, and any sign that a tire is losing air.
Collector-era cars often age their tires through time as much as mileage, so low annual use does not remove the need for inspection. Pressure should be checked routinely, and the car should be stored away from prolonged sunlight, heat, and ozone sources when possible. Catching age- or storage-related issues early protects both the tire and the driving experience.
