Staggered Ratio / Width

[DoubleOSeven]

I'm changing to 16" steelies soon. Tyre questions:

Ideal world says I should change to 195/65 R16 all round to match the original 185/82 R14 set up. But I'd prefer Front's 185/70 R16, Rear's 205/60 R16. Anyone done this, or offer any reasons why I should/shouldn't??

http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;







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[TheDocmeister]

Smaller overall diameter on the rear with the 205s? Slightly lowers the gearing, but the numbers you show wouldn't feel to have that great an effect. Speedo would read fast.
There's not much in it really, if your putting on part worns they may even be closer than the figures on the calculator - depends how worn!
Front would be up slightly, rear down slightly
Question would really be why the different sizes? Unless of course you just happen to have them kicking about...
What would you use for a spare - or are you going for a can of gunge in case of a puncture?

[DoubleOSeven]

Aesthetic reasons only. This van inspired me. It may be a show bus only though. I've no idea where he got the deep dish slot mags from. I'll end up playing it safe I imagine and go for x4 195/65 R16



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[TheDocmeister]

That van certainly rocks! It looks to have wider and taller tyres on the back than the front though. The sizes you suggested would be wider at the back but smaller than standard in overall diameter and than the ones you proposed for the front.
Have you tried a 'visual tyre size calculator'? They'll show the differences in diameter for different sizes quite nicely, whilst still giving the measurements and percentages you had in the screenshot.
I'm new to VWs, but would expect the speedo to be driven from the gearbox (could be wrong), so front tyres could be smaller than factory in diameter without any hassle.

[Smosh]

...
I'm new to VWs, but would expect the speedo to be driven from the gearbox (could be wrong), so front tyres could be smaller than factory in diameter without any hassle.

Speedo cable goes through front left hub. :Ok

[TheDocmeister]

Speedo cable goes through front left hub. :Ok

Aha! There's one reason for keeping the front tyre overall diameter close to standard size!
You'd need to go for something like 175/70x16 or 205/60x16 to stay close to the original 185/80x14. The problem then lies in available sizes in the correct load ratings.

At the back you could go bigger/ wider with the only constraints being whether they'd physically fit in the arches - and how big an effect they'd have on the gearing. 245/50x16 would keep your overall diameter very close to standard, but much wider looking - whether they'd fit and whether you could get that size in a suitable load rating I don't know.

Like I say, you can have hours of fun working out the permutations with one of those visual size calculators, then go and check Black Circles or similar to see what specs are available in your preferred sizes.

[DoubleOSeven]

You've made me think, cheers. I could keep my existing rears @ 225mm and just buy some correct size 195mm fronts. Just two tyres to buy now


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