The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta sits squarely in the era when compact European sedans were balancing efficiency, everyday practicality, and increasingly sharp road manners. In this generation, the Jetta could range from simple commuter trim to more sporting GLI and 16-valve form, so tire fitment matters more here than it might on a one-spec collector car. Depending on sub-model, the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta uses 175/70R13, 185/60R14, or 205/55R14 radial tires. That gives buyers a mix of choices tied to wheel diameter, tread profile, and available blackwall tire lines from brands such as Avon and Michelin. The key is matching the exact sub-model and wheel setup before focusing on appearance, handling feel, or restoration-minded presentation.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta
Three tire sizes apply to the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta, and the right one depends on the exact sub-model and wheel diameter. Two sizes use a 14-inch rim while one uses a 13-inch rim, so confirming the specific trim and the wheels currently on the car should come before comparing tire options or performance characteristics.
175/70R13 is a metric radial size: 175 is the nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R identifies radial construction, and 13 is the rim diameter in inches. On the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta, this size suits the more standard-fitment sub-models and keeps the tire on a 13-inch wheel. Available product choice in this size includes a blackwall Avon CR6ZZ radial. This size makes the most sense when the car still uses its correct 13-inch wheel setup and the goal is to preserve the intended fitment rather than move into a different wheel package.
185/60R14 is also a metric radial size, with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series profile, and a 14-inch rim diameter. This fitment moves the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta onto a lower-profile radial than the 13-inch size, so wheel confirmation is essential before selection. In available product choice, this size includes a blackwall Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2. It is the right size to evaluate when the car is one of the 14-inch-equipped trims and the priority is matching the sub-model's original wheel diameter and tire profile.
205/55R14 is a metric radial size that combines a 205-millimeter nominal section width with a 55-series profile on a 14-inch rim. Within the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta range, this is the widest and lowest-profile primary fitment shown, and it belongs to a specific sub-model rather than the full lineup. That makes exact trim identification especially important before assuming interchangeability with other 14-inch Jetta tires. Buyers considering this size should also confirm that the wheels and overall vehicle setup still match the intended GLI 16-Valve configuration before choosing a replacement.
Tire fitment varies across the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta lineup, so sub-model identification is the first step. Several trims share the same size, but the Carat, GLI, and GLI 16-Valve move into different 14-inch fitments that should not be assumed interchangeable with the 13-inch cars.
1
1987 Volkswagen Jetta Base
The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta Base uses the 175/70R13 radial size. Tire selection here centers on keeping the correct 13-inch fitment and choosing among the available period-appropriate blackwall radial options for a stock-style setup.
The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta Carat uses the 185/60R14 radial size. That means replacement shopping starts with a 14-inch wheel confirmation, followed by choosing a tire that preserves the intended lower-profile fitment for this trim.
The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta GL shares the 175/70R13 radial size with other 13-inch-wheel Jetta trims. The main decision is less about size variation and more about selecting the right tire line and maintaining proper wheel compatibility.
The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta GLI uses the 185/60R14 radial size. Buyers should confirm that the car still carries the correct 14-inch wheel package before selecting a tire, especially if the suspension or wheels have been changed over time.
The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 16-Valve uses the 205/55R14 radial size. Because this fitment is unique within the covered Jetta sub-models, matching the exact trim and wheel setup is especially important before moving ahead with replacement tires.
The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta Wolfsburg Edition uses the 175/70R13 radial size. For this trim, tire choice is mostly about staying with the proper 13-inch radial fitment and selecting a tire that suits the car's intended road use and 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 Volkswagen Jetta Tires for Sale
Available 1987 Volkswagen Jetta tire choices center on blackwall radial products in the 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 sizes. Current options include Avon and Michelin, with differences in tire series and rim-width compatibility that are worth comparing against the wheel setup already on the car.
These 1987 Volkswagen Jetta tire FAQs focus on the three factory fitment sizes, sub-model differences, 13-inch versus 14-inch wheel fitment, available radial choices, and the checks that matter before road use on a stock or modified car.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta?
The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta uses one of three radial tire sizes depending on sub-model: 175/70R13, 185/60R14, or 205/55R14. Base, GL, and Wolfsburg Edition models use 175/70R13, while Carat and GLI models use 185/60R14. The GLI 16-Valve uses 205/55R14.
That means the first step is identifying the exact trim and then confirming the wheel diameter already on the car. A 13-inch Jetta should not be treated the same as a 14-inch Jetta, and even within the 14-inch group, the GLI 16-Valve uses a different size from the Carat and standard GLI.
What size rim does a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta use?
A 1987 Volkswagen Jetta uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on sub-model. The 175/70R13 fitment uses a 13-inch wheel, while both 185/60R14 and 205/55R14 use 14-inch wheels.
Wheel diameter needs to be confirmed before ordering tires, especially on older cars that may have been changed over the years. It is also worth checking wheel width, since the available 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 products each carry their own rim-width ranges and should match the wheel actually mounted on the car.
Why does the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta have more than one tire size?
The 1987 Volkswagen Jetta has more than one tire size because different sub-models used different wheel and tire packages. Standard trims such as Base, GL, and Wolfsburg Edition use 175/70R13, Carat and GLI use 185/60R14, and the GLI 16-Valve uses 205/55R14.
Those differences reflect trim-specific fitment rather than interchangeable choices across the whole model line. A buyer should match the tire to the actual sub-model and wheel setup, then verify that the car has not been altered with aftermarket wheels, lowered suspension, or other changes that could affect clearance or intended tire profile.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta tire?
Start with the correct size for the exact 1987 Volkswagen Jetta sub-model, since this range uses 175/70R13, 185/60R14, or 205/55R14 depending on trim. From there, compare radial construction details such as wheel diameter, product rim-width range, and the type of driving the car actually sees.
Available choices also vary by brand and tire series, with blackwall products offered in at least the 175/70R13 and 185/60R14 sizes. A stock-style street car and a more aggressively driven Jetta may lead a buyer toward different product priorities, but the correct fitment and wheel compatibility should always be settled first.
What sidewall styles are available for 1987 Volkswagen Jetta tires?
The available 1987 Volkswagen Jetta products shown here use a blackwall sidewall style. That applies to the Avon CR6ZZ in 175/70R13 and the Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2 in 185/60R14.
For many later-1980s European sedans, blackwall tires suit the car's clean, practical appearance without adding a more vintage sidewall treatment. If appearance matters as much as fitment, focus on matching the correct size and wheel diameter first, then compare the available tire series within that size rather than trying to force a different sidewall style.
What brands offer tires for the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta?
Available tire options for the 1987 Volkswagen Jetta include Avon and Michelin in the sizes currently represented. Avon appears in 175/70R13 with the CR6ZZ series, while Michelin appears in 185/60R14 with the Pilot Exalto PE2 series.
Brand choice is only one part of the decision. The more important comparison is whether the tire matches the Jetta's exact sub-model, wheel diameter, and rim-width needs, then whether the tire series and overall character suit the way the car is used, from casual road driving to a more enthusiast-focused setup.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1987 Volkswagen Jetta?
A period-style 1987 Volkswagen Jetta tire choice starts with using the correct sub-model size: 175/70R13, 185/60R14, or 205/55R14. Since the available products shown here are all radial blackwall tires, they align naturally with the later-1980s European compact sedan look rather than an older whitewall or bias-ply presentation.
For a restoration-minded car, preserving the correct wheel diameter and profile usually matters more than chasing cosmetic variation. If exact originality is the goal, compare the car's trim, wheel package, and period photos or marque references before selecting a modern replacement, especially on GLI and GLI 16-Valve models where fitment is more specific.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters on a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta restoration because the model line uses different sizes across different trims, and those sizes affect both stance and visual balance. A Base or GL on 175/70R13 presents differently from a Carat or GLI on 185/60R14, and the GLI 16-Valve has its own 205/55R14 fitment.
Using the wrong diameter or profile can change the look of the car even before any driving differences are noticed. Restoration buyers should confirm sub-model, wheel diameter, and overall presentation together, especially if the car has passed through multiple owners and may no longer be wearing the wheel-and-tire combination associated with its trim.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta. Aftermarket wheels, suspension changes, lowering, and body alterations can all change the space available for the tire, even when the car still appears to match one of the original 175/70R13, 185/60R14, or 205/55R14 sizes.
A modified car should be checked for wheel diameter, wheel width, and clearance at the fenders and steering components before replacement tires are chosen. That matters most on trims that already use the 14-inch fitments, since profile and width differences leave less room for assumptions than on a completely stock, unaltered setup.
What should I inspect before driving a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta on new tires?
Before driving a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta on new tires, inspect the wheel condition, confirm the tires match the intended size, and check that inflation is set correctly for the vehicle and tire application. It is also smart to look over suspension, steering, and brake components on a car of this age.
A short test drive should include attention to rubbing, vibration, pull, and any contact under full steering lock. Older Jettas may have worn bushings, bent wheels, or alignment issues that a fresh set of tires will not hide, so road-use readiness depends on the overall condition of the chassis as much as the tire itself.
How often should tires on a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta be inspected?
Tires on a 1987 Volkswagen Jetta should be inspected regularly, especially if the car is driven infrequently or stored for long periods. Tread wear, sidewall cracking, cuts, bulges, and gradual air loss are all worth checking, even on a collector-minded car that sees only seasonal use.
A practical routine is to inspect them before longer drives and at regular intervals during the driving season. Stored cars deserve extra attention because age and inactivity can matter as much as mileage, and a Jetta running the correct size on paper still needs sound tire condition before it is truly ready for road use.
