Tahrs & Wheels for a CQ (long)

[smtp.ma.ultranet.com@ma.ultranet.com (Peter C Schulz)]

Folks:

Once again I need to poll you for your collective wisdom.
The BF Goodrich Comp TA VR4s that have served me well
the last four years are nearing the end of their lives, as are my
peeling Speedline 15 inch rims.

I'm in a quandry. I'd like to replace the stock speedlines with
Borbet Ts.  The question is do I stick  with the  205/60/R15s on
or do I "upgrade" to a 225/50/R16?

Most of my driving is commuting 66 miles round trip in Mass-
achusetts, so 17 inch wheels are NOT an option (roads are mediocre).

Eventually, I would like to upgrade the engine in the CQ to a 3b,
so I do want to plan ahead.  Since I don't spend alot of time at the
track ( I would like to take some drivers courses, but at over 6ft,
I can't wear a helmet, at least with the stock seats), I am willing to
compromise road versus track.

Those of you with CQs that have gone to 225/60/R16s, please let me
know about the benefits/downsides.  I assume that with the greater
contact patch that traction and "feel" have improved at the expense
of gas mileage (one or two mpg?).

The other question is tires.  I had a long talk with Paul Royal the
other night about the Pirellis, specifically P7000 Supersports vs,
Dunlop SP8000s. Both are on sale at the Tire Rack.

I've been happy with the VR4s, but now I have winter tires, so I
don't have to have an all-season tire; but I would like good rain
performace because of my commute, and have a tire that will perform
for 35-40k miles. I had Yoko AVSs on my 16V Scirocco and they were
awesome, but they were 185/60R14s on a 2200 lb car. At nearly half a
ton more weight, with a larger wheel, I don't think that they would
be the tire for me on the CQ.

Should I move up to ZRs or ZR4s?.  Should I stay with the stock rim
size, or go to the 16 inchers?  Should I jump to Dunlops/Pirellis?
What tires can you recommend from personal experirence? I checked
the quattro archives, but it seems that this thread hasn't been visited
in a while.

Thanks!

-Peter Schulz
1990 CQ 127k miles
schulz@res.ray.com (when I'm at work)
peter-s@ma.ultranet.com (when I'm home)