I see threads coming up all the time with guys changing wheel size and wondering what tyre size to go for. I'm a big fan of trying to keep as close to the standard rolling radius where possible as it keeps the speedo correct and won't harm the acceleration too much. Also wear and tear on components needs to be considered too.

So I have started compiling a list of tyre sizes that will be suitable for your car depending on the mk of Polo you have and also the wheel size you want to run. All sizes are based around a standard size +/- 2%.

Mk1-3 (86/86c) - Standard rolling radius based on 175/60/13 = 540mm

13" wheels

155/70/13

165/65/13

175/60/13

185/55/13

14" wheels

165/55/14

175/50/14

185/50/14

195/45/14

15" wheels

165/50/15

Mk4-5 (6n/6n2) - Standard rolling radius based on 185/55/14 = 559mm

13" wheels

175/65/13

185/60/13

14" wheels

175/60/14

185/55/14

15" wheels

175/50/15

185/50/15

185/45/15

195/45/15

205/45/15

16" wheels

195/40/16

205/40/16

215/35/16

Mk6-7 (9n/9n3) - Standard rolling radius based on 165/65/14 = 570mm (Note 9n3 GTI is different)

 

14" wheels

165/65/14

175/60/14

185/60/14

15" wheels

 

175/55/15

185/50/15

195/50/15

205/45/15

 

16" wheels

175/50/16

195/45/16

205/40/16

215/40/16

 

This is as far as I have gotten just now, at the time of looking into this all above tyres sizes were all available to buy.

This site was very useful in comparing the sizes http://www.tyresave.co.uk/tyresize.html

If anyone has any tyre size suggestions that keep within the 2% of standard rolling radius rule then please post them up and I'll add them to the list.

Please Note: Tyres are the one and only thing that hold your car to the road. If you spend money in just one area of your car, spend it on tyres. Decent tyres alone will reduce stopping distances and improve handling, overall increasing the safety of your car. I would highly recommend you do your own research before going out to buy the cheapest 155 section tyre available to put on your 7" rim because you want stretch on a budget. Or just buying budget tyres in general.

Final Note: This is a guide only!! Factors like wheel width, offset, ride height etc. all need to be considered.

Another useful website for comparing tyre size differences along with changes in wheel size, width and offset is www.willtheyfit.com

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Guessing a 6n would be the mk 4 steve?iv got 15" lenso rs5' on mine.looking for sum new tyres soon but want to go for a bit of stretch (not too much tho).also want it lower.what would u reccomend.I'm running 195/50/15s just now

Yup you're right the mk4 is the 6n, I've added the chassis codes in my post now.

195/50/15 are a bit big, they will hurt acceleration and make the speedo under-read, so not a good thing if you're being followed by the old 5-0.

195/45/15 would be better as it is almost the same as standard rolling radius.

Assuming your wheels are 6.5" you could look at 185/50/15 if you want a bit of stretch. I wouldn't recommend going any skinnier on a 6n, I've run 175 and even 165 section tyres on 6ns in the past and they get very understeery.

Personally if it was my car i'd put on 195/45/15 tyres and then put the car on coilovers and wind them down until it looks good and you can still steer.

I've got 195/45/15 on my 15" BBS. You won't get any stretch, on mine the tyres stick over the rim. But once lowered, they look good. My car is down about 80mm and if the profile was any higher they would look silly.

Cheers.yea was thinking 185/50s.i had it decked before.near 100mm i think.got coilovers on already.loved the look of it slammed but was rubbing on full lock so had to raise it.so hopefullysorting tyres out i can lower it a bit more.

While I'm at it any idea on air ride?where to source it for best prices.can get it fitted no prob but dunno where for prices

I've been using a tyre converter all day trying to find the best sizes.

Glad this has been pinned!

The 9N takes 165:70:14's on the narrow steels, not 165:65:14's.

The 65's would fit of course, but they would be slightly off in diameter.

My research showed the 165/65/14 was the standard size on the 14" steels. There is a fair difference between the 165/65 and 165/70. What does the owners manual suggest?

You could also put 145/80/13s on a Mk3 as mine currently has, but would not recommend it if you like having grip on wet roads

It is definitely 165:70:14, it says it in the manual and a lot of the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza steels on eBay have 70's, and the tyre fitment guidelines I just looked at online also say 70.

Steels are 165:70:14 on the 55PS Polo.

Looks like the 175's are 65's rather than 60's as well.

http://www.wheelfitment.eu/car/Volkswagen/Polo%209N%20%282001%20-%202009%29.html

http://www.blackcircles.com/order/reglookup/HK02YFR

http://www.tyreleader.co.uk/tyres-for-car/volkswagen/polo(click the 9N)

Edited 21 May, 201511 yr by acme15

Thanks for that, I'll edit my post accordingly when I get time :)

Hi I've just fitted 15 inch pepperpot alloys on my 9n, currently got 195/65/15, looking for lower profile as I'm wanting to get some coilovers in the next month, what tyres would you recommend? I've noticed my speedo is under-reading compared to what the sat nav says. Cheers

195/65/15 Is well too big, no wonder your speedo is under-reading. I'm guessing they just came straight off an A3 onto your car?

195/50/15 would be a better size, lower profile but keeping the same contact patch. Also your speedo should be closer to what your sat-nav says. Plus better acceleration...just an all round win!

If you wanted a slightly smaller profile you could go for a 185/50/15 but you are reducing your contact patch then, not something I'm keen on doing personally.

Yeah, only had them on a couple days, had them resprayed first.

Cheers for the advice, I'll probably look for some 195/50s. Seeing a bloke tomorrow that has a unit full of tyres, will try and do a deal with him by swapping my old steels and tyres for a new(ish) set of tyres!

Psssst, 165:70:14

Hi lads, I have just fitted 195/50/R15 to my polo 6n2 lowered 60mm on h&r cup kit. Its rubbing on full lock and rubs when I hit bumps. Should I get 195 45 or 185 50?

Hi lads, I have just fitted 195/50/R15 to my polo 6n2 lowered 60mm on h&r cup kit. Its rubbing on full lock and rubs when I hit bumps. Should I get 195 45 or 185 50?

How wide are the wheels? I was running 195/45/15 on 15x7 wheels and was down 80/90mm on my old 6n2 with no issues

Sorry, you there 7j, and its lowered around 60mm. Maybe I should get a set of 45's so! Thanks pal.

According to the 2006 Model Year (effective from 1.6.2005) brochure that I have the following wheels and tyre sizes were standard fitment to the Mk7 that year:

E - 5Jx14 steel 165/70/14

S - 6Jx14 Sao Paulo 185/60/14

SE - 6Jx14 Misano 185/60/14

Sport - 6Jx15 Charade 195/55/15

The factory fitted options were:

E - 6Jx15 steel 195/55/15

E - 6Jx14 Sao Paulo 185/60/14

S, SE - 6Jx15 Charade 195/55/15

S, SE, Sport - 6.5Jx16 Varano 205/45/16

Sport - 6.5Jx16 San Marino 205/45/16

would it be possible to find any sizes for the 6R? debating on what size to get. want to make sure they look good before I get a set of alloys for mine

Need urgent help, i have a mk3 polo coupe and have just bought 15x7 wheels for it but i think i have bought the wrong tyres i bought 195/50/15 and they rub like a bitch the car is lowerd around 60/40. HELP PLEASE what should i go ?.

15's are always going to be at least tricky on a little Polo. I've seen a few people use 175/55/15 (Smart car front tyre). Wheel offset will be a massive factor. 

1 hour ago, Yeti said:

15's are always going to be at least tricky on a little Polo. I've seen a few people use 175/55/15 (Smart car front tyre). Wheel offset will be a massive factor. 

ahh yeh they are the wheel offset is 20