Widest Donut Style Tire for Rally Type Looks

[littlemoule]

Hi,
So my original enasaves are pretty much done. I like the look of a tire that looks like donut (don't ask). Which means bubbly tire if that makes any sense. Nothing too low profile. What is the widest tire with this type of a look that's gonna make my mirage look a bit more of a Rally Type (but underneath it isn't really).

[Fummins]

I put 185/60r14 on the work cars. They’re pretty close to the same height as the stock 165’s but wider. They’re a little wide for the stock wheels but I haven’t had issues in 9 years of installing them. I’m not sure what you mean by donut look but maybe that’s it? I’ll try to get a pic in the am if I remember.

Here’s a 185/60(bottom)
and a 175/65 14…Attachment 26296

[Top_Fuel]

It sounds like you want to know the widest tire you can squeeze onto the 4.5" wide Mirage wheels?

Here's a 195-65-14 on 4.5" wide wheels... (this seems to be a popular topic on classic VW bug websites)...



^^^ Notice the sidewalls sort of ballooning out because these tires are probably too wide for the wheels. Some VW guys have mentioned running 205s on a 4.5 wide wheel. It may fit, but you may have trouble finding a tire shop willing to do it.

[Fummins]

185/60 vs 165/65(worn) both mounted to 4.5" wheelsAttachment 26299Attachment 26300 " rim width"...Attachment 26302

[Mark]

Hi,
So my original enasaves are pretty much done. I like the look of a tire that looks like donut (don't ask). Which means bubbly tire if that makes any sense. Nothing too low profile. What is the widest tire with this type of a look that's gonna make my mirage look a bit more of a Rally Type (but underneath it isn't really).

Most tire/rim charts will show 4 tires widths for a given rim width. The tire widths for a 4.5" wide rim would be 145 mm, 155 mm, 165 mm, & 175 mm (145-175 mm).

The most common alternative to a 165/65r14 (22.4" outside diameter) factory size tire would be a 175/65r14 (23" O.D) tire. Any tire within a 3% diameter variance is usually considered acceptable. Mirage factory tires have some variance, because 175/55r15 (22.6") don't match 165/65r14 (22.4") exactly.

14" rims
165/65r14 (22.4") - factory size
175/65r14 (23") = +2.7%
185/60r14* (22.7") = +1.3%
* outside of the recommended 145-175 mm tire width, but has been used by some members without issues.

I have 4.5", 5" (G4), & 5.5" (after market) wide steel rims for my Mirage. I run 165/65r14 tires on all of them. Most aftermarket steel rims I found in the past were 14" x 5.5", which could handle 165-195 mm wide tires with ease.

I don't recall any members having issues with the three 14" tire sizes listed above. The same is not true of 195 mm wide tires (rubbing issues for some).

[spiritorb]

I was just wondering if anyone on this forum who has installed a 175/65r14 tire has had any issues with the CVT transmission or the abs system?

[Fummins]

Nope. I installed 175/65r14's on my current and previous mirage. As long as all 4 tires are the same height you won't have an abs issue. As for cvt goes, it's fine. The height difference isn't enough to affect anything on the car. If anything it brings the speedometer a little closer to reality(iirc).

[spiritorb]

Thanks, Fummins. I was considering this size when my current set of tires are toast. I appreciate the input!

[Fummins]

I'd also consider 185/60's. I think I'll go that route once my other 175's are burnt off. They seem to track nicer on the highway almost like a real car lol.
I'm not a fan of the 165 snow tires I just installed. They kinda handle like pooh on the highway. It could be the tire itself though. Or one went flat maybe.../?

[littlemoule]

Thanks everyone for input.
Since Winter is here, yesterday I went ahead and bought used Winter Tires with Steel Rims. 175/65/14. I'm just trying to give my mirage some rally credentials on a budget lol. I'll post pictures soon. Let me know what you guys think. I think it looks way better than the stock 165/65/14, that made the car look like a dinky.
My total cost for the tires was $80 CAD for four including steel rims.
I also plan to just run Winters in summer here, then when I need new tires, I will have a reason to paint the steel rims yellow.