quattro digest, Vol 1 #4671 - Odd tire sizes

[l.leung at juno.com]

Sorry, original poster couldn't be kept on this system...

You have what amounts to 165/80-13.

Of the choices mentioned by Ti, about the only ones that MAY fit
are the 175/70-13, there is a size calculator on the TireRack
website that will help you determine whether or not they will fit
the 4.5 inch width rim. I rather doubt it. May I suggest that you
consider scaring up some VW 13 x 5.5 ET 45 rims at the local U-pull
it, generally under $5 each, same bolt circle, hubcentricity and
proper bolt head seats. They also SHOULD clear the brakes. Std
equipment on high end Audi Fox and VW Dasher models, as well as
Rabbit L's and Sciroccos. Those cars ALL came with 175/70-13. I
also believe that TireRack probably still sells those rims, which were
good winter rims for my GTi for the two winters it faced. If you are
lucky, you may find the '83 Scirocco 7 spoke alloys, also 13 x 5.5, which are VERY light, strong and well, okay, not pretty but GOOD wheels.
Should be cheap in the U-pull yards, as they are too small and too old to be desirable now. Come to think of it, the ur-Scirocco alloys (pretty
ugly IMHO) are also 13 x 5.5, and should be a dime-a-dozen, but they aren't as light.

Since you are likely to run into fitment issues, you probably should consider searching out larger rims. Just as an FYI, you could probably
successfully go for 14 x 6 rims (plenty availible) and 185/60-14 tires (also plenty availible) which, since your car has an 8V GTi like 100 BHP should be okay.

LL - NY