The 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet belongs to the long-running open-top Volkswagen lineage that carried compact German character into a true everyday convertible. Buyers are usually balancing light, nimble road manners with a clean period presentation rather than chasing oversized modern fitments. For this exact model year, the primary tire question centers on two radial sizes, 175/70R13 and 185/60R14, tied to different 13-inch and 14-inch wheel setups. Available choices stay focused, with blackwall radial options from Avon and Michelin in distinct tire series. The key is confirming which wheel diameter is on the car before choosing a tire that suits restoration-minded appearance and actual driving use.
Which Tire Size Is Right for The 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet
Two tire sizes apply to the 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet, and both are radial fitments. The first thing to confirm is wheel diameter, since one size is built for a 13-inch rim and the other for a 14-inch rim, even though the overall tire diameters stay very close. Once the wheel size is verified, the choice becomes matching the proper metric radial size and comparing the available product series within that fitment.
175/70R13 is a modern metric radial size in which 175 identifies nominal section width in millimeters, 70 is the aspect ratio, R indicates radial construction, and 13 is the wheel diameter in inches. On the 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet, this size preserves the intended radial fitment for cars using a 13-inch wheel. Available products in this size include an Avon CR6ZZ blackwall radial. This is the size to evaluate when the car retains or currently wears 13-inch wheels and you want to stay with the proper metric format for that setup.
185/60R14 is a modern metric radial size with a 185-millimeter nominal section width, a 60-series aspect ratio, radial construction, and a 14-inch rim diameter. For a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet equipped with 14-inch wheels, this is the corresponding primary fitment rather than an alternative to the 13-inch size. Michelin offers this size in the Pilot Exalto PE2 series with a blackwall sidewall treatment. This size is the one to consider after confirming a 14-inch wheel package, especially when keeping the car aligned with its existing wheel-and-tire combination.
Fitment is straightforward across the covered 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet sub-models because Base, Bestseller, and Boutique all use the same two radial tire sizes. The important step is not trim identification so much as confirming whether the car is on 13-inch or 14-inch wheels before selecting a tire.
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1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base
The 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet Base uses the same two primary radial size paths found across the model line, with fitment tied to either a 13-inch or 14-inch wheel. Tire selection starts with wheel confirmation, then moves to choosing the appropriate blackwall radial product available in that size.
The 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet Bestseller shares the same radial fitment pattern as the other covered sub-models, so the deciding factor is wheel diameter rather than trim name. Once the 13-inch or 14-inch wheel setup is confirmed, the proper metric tire size becomes clear.
The 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet Boutique follows the same basic tire-fitment approach, using the same two radial size options depending on wheel choice. That makes wheel measurement the key first step, followed by comparing the available product series in the correct metric 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 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet Tires for Sale
Available 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet tire choices are focused and size-specific, with Avon offering the CR6ZZ in 175/70R13 and Michelin offering the Pilot Exalto PE2 in 185/60R14. Both are blackwall radials, so the main comparisons are correct size, wheel compatibility, and tire series character.
Owners usually need to sort out wheel diameter first on a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet, then choose between the correct 13-inch or 14-inch radial size. The questions below cover fitment, product selection, appearance, and the checks worth making before regular road use.
Tire Size & Fitment
What tire size fits a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
The 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses two primary tire sizes: 175/70R13 and 185/60R14. Both are radial tires, but they are not interchangeable primary fitments because each size corresponds to a different wheel diameter. A Cabriolet on 13-inch wheels uses 175/70R13, while a Cabriolet on 14-inch wheels uses 185/60R14.
That makes wheel confirmation the first step before ordering tires. The two sizes have similar overall diameters, but the rim diameter difference is decisive, so a 13-inch tire cannot be mounted on a 14-inch wheel and vice versa. On a car that has changed hands over the years, checking the actual wheel currently installed is more useful than relying on assumptions about trim alone.
What size rim does a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet use?
A 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses either a 13-inch or 14-inch rim, depending on which tire size is on the car. The 175/70R13 fitment uses a 13-inch wheel, and the 185/60R14 fitment uses a 14-inch wheel. Both sizes are proper radial fitments for this model year.
Rim diameter is the quickest way to narrow the tire search, and it should be verified before comparing brands or tire series. It also helps to confirm rim width, since available products in these sizes are intended for specific wheel-width ranges. Measuring the wheel or reading the wheel markings can prevent ordering the right tire size for the wrong wheel package.
Do all 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet sub-models use the same tire size?
The Base, Bestseller, and Boutique versions of the 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet share the same two tire sizes: 175/70R13 and 185/60R14. That means sub-model alone does not narrow the fitment to one single size. The real distinction comes from whether the car is equipped with 13-inch or 14-inch wheels.
This is helpful for buyers because it keeps the focus on the wheel-and-tire setup actually on the vehicle. A trim badge does not eliminate the need to confirm wheel diameter, especially on an older Cabriolet that may have had wheels changed at some point. Once the wheel size is verified, choosing the correct tire size becomes straightforward.
Choosing the Right Tire
What should I consider when choosing a tire for a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
Start with the correct size for the wheel on the car, either 175/70R13 or 185/60R14. Both fitments are radial, so the next considerations are wheel-width compatibility, the tire series offered in that size, and how the car will actually be driven. On this Cabriolet, tire choice is more about matching the existing setup than choosing between unrelated constructions.
A car used for light weekend driving may call for a different emphasis than one that sees regular road miles. It also helps to consider the visual result, since the currently available options are blackwall tires rather than stripe or whitewall styles. Matching the tire to the wheel diameter, rim width, and intended use usually leads to a better result than choosing by brand name alone.
What sidewall styles are available for 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet tires?
The available tire options for the 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet use a blackwall sidewall style. That applies to both primary sizes covered here, 175/70R13 and 185/60R14. For an owner who wants a clean, understated look, blackwall keeps the presentation simple and in step with a later-classic imported convertible.
Because sidewall styling is not varied within the current choices, selection shifts toward size, tire series, and wheel compatibility. That can make the decision easier if the goal is to maintain a tidy, road-ready appearance without sorting through multiple stripe or whitewall treatments. The main thing to verify is still the wheel diameter, since sidewall style does not override basic fitment.
What brands offer tires for the 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
The covered sizes for the 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet are available from Avon and Michelin. Avon appears in 175/70R13 with the CR6ZZ series, while Michelin appears in 185/60R14 with the Pilot Exalto PE2 series. Both are radial blackwall tires, but they serve different wheel diameters rather than competing within one single size.
That means brand choice is tied directly to the tire size your Cabriolet uses. Instead of trying to pick a brand first, confirm whether the car is on 13-inch or 14-inch wheels and then compare the product available in that fitment. Looking at rim-width compatibility and the overall character of the tire series will be more useful than treating the two brands as interchangeable options.
Restoration & Appearance
Which tire should I choose for a period-style 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
A period-style choice for a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet starts with retaining the correct primary size for the wheel on the car, either 175/70R13 or 185/60R14. Since both available fitments are radial and use blackwall styling, the look stays clean and restrained rather than heavily decorative. That suits the Cabriolet’s late-1980s imported convertible character well.
For restoration-minded owners, preserving the proper wheel diameter and tire proportions usually matters more than chasing a more aggressive modern look. Keeping the car in the correct metric radial size helps maintain the visual balance of the body and wheel opening. When exact originality matters, marque-specific references and vehicle history should guide details beyond basic size and construction.
Does correct tire fitment matter for a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet restoration?
Correct tire fitment matters because the 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet uses two distinct radial sizes tied to two different wheel diameters. Choosing 175/70R13 for a 13-inch wheel or 185/60R14 for a 14-inch wheel keeps the restoration anchored to an appropriate wheel-and-tire relationship. That affects both appearance and the basic integrity of the finished setup.
Even when a tire looks close at a glance, the wrong size can change the visual stance and create avoidable fitment issues at the wheel. A restoration also benefits from checking whether the car still wears its intended wheel size or has been altered over time. Confirming the actual wheels on the car is often the step that keeps a cosmetic refresh from turning into a fitment mistake.
Fitment, Maintenance & Road Use
Can modifications affect tire fitment on a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet?
Yes, modifications can affect tire fitment on a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet even when the tire size itself is one of the correct primary options. Aftermarket wheels, changes in wheel width, altered offset, lowering, or suspension work can all influence how a 175/70R13 or 185/60R14 tire sits in the car. The fact that a size is correct for the model does not override those variables.
A modified Cabriolet should be checked for steering clearance, fender clearance, and wheel compatibility before new tires are installed. It is also worth confirming that the actual rim diameter still matches the intended tire size, especially on a car that has seen cosmetic upgrades. Small imported convertibles can be sensitive to wheel changes, so visual inspection and measurement are worthwhile.
What should I inspect before driving a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet on new tires?
Before driving a 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet on new tires, inspect the wheels for the correct diameter and general condition, then check that the tires are seated properly and inflated appropriately for the setup. It is also wise to look over suspension and steering components, especially on an older convertible that may have spent long periods parked between drives.
After the car is on the ground, turn the steering from lock to lock and watch for any sign of rubbing or contact. A short test drive should include attention to vibration, pull, and air loss after the first miles. Older cars often reveal wheel or alignment issues once fresh tires are mounted, so an early recheck can prevent unnecessary wear.
How should tires on a collector 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet be maintained?
Tires on a collector 1988 Volkswagen Cabriolet should be kept clean, properly inflated, and inspected regularly for cracking, bulges, cuts, uneven wear, and signs of slow air loss. Low-use cars often age tires by time and storage conditions rather than by mileage, so appearance alone is not enough to judge condition. Regular visual checks are part of responsible maintenance.
Storage habits matter as much as driving habits on a seasonal Cabriolet. Keeping the car away from prolonged sunlight, excess moisture, and ozone sources can help preserve the tire over time, and moving the vehicle occasionally can reduce long stationary loading. Before any longer drive, a quick inspection of pressure, tread condition, and sidewalls is worth making.
