[urq] tire/wheel size

[John Karasaki]

Brandon,

You are absolutely right.  However, the "correct" size IS 205/60/15.  For 
the later year urqs, Audi had an alternate size of 215/50/15.  At the time, 
this was the widest tire that would fit on the urq without 
rubbing.  There's a story floating around that Audi discovered this by 
accident.  The cars definitely look better with the 15x8 wheels and 
215/50/15 tires.  They reportedly handled better with this extreme 
wheel/tire combo, but I think the option was more of a marketing thing.

Our former urq came with the wide, heavy Ronals with 215/50/15 tires.  That 
combo was heavy, and the wheels were soft and prone to bending.  Overall, 
besides the killer looks, I never liked those wheels/tires.  The combo also 
rubbed the body on our 1982, lowered urq.  This was annoying as well.

Our former urq wore many different sets of wheels and tires while we owned 
it.  The best for overall driving and comfort was 205/55/16 on A8 5-spoke 
wheels.  The second best, but better handling was 225/45/16 on 16x8 BBS 
wheels with an offset of 35mm.

IMHO, you want the taller 205/60/15 or 195/65/15 tire for winter 
driving.  The urq is low enough; you need all the ground clearance you can 
get in the snow.

John


At 09:54 AM 4/27/2005 -0600, Brandon Rogers wrote:
>That is what Audi says.  But I don't get that.
>
>What am I missing?
>
>How can 205/60 (15 x 6/7) and 215/50(15 x 8) both be factory size?  205/60 
>is a significantly taller - 24.68" diameter vs 23.46" for 215/50.
>
>Check out http://www.1010tires.com/TireSizeCalculator.asp
>
>I use 225/50 on my summers - hence my choice of 205/55 for the winters - 
>rolling diameter can't get much closer...
>
>Brandon
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "John Karasaki" <johkar at teleport.com>
>To: "Brandon Rogers" <brogers at terrix.com>; "Urq List" <urq at audifans.com>
>Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2005 11:26 PM
>Subject: Re: [urq] tire/wheel size
>
>
>>They'll fit, no problem.  However the right size is 205/60/15.  HTH.
>>
>>
>>
>>At 01:23 PM 4/26/2005 -0600, Brandon Rogers wrote:
>>>Guys-
>>>looking for opinion on 205/55/15  - snows for the urq to be fitted on the
>>>200 20V BBS wheels sized 7.5 x 15
>>>
>>>I currently have these tires on my 7" Fuchs but I want the wider look,
>>>even in winter, attained by the BBS....
>>>
>>>thoughts?
>>>
>>>TIA
>>>
>>>Brandon
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