Can I Run 16" Low profiles on my 1990 Jetta IDI?

[Matteo]

I have a cool set of 16" rims, but am unsure of clearance issues. Are these going to fit if I use low profiles? What would be the tallest tire, and widest adviseable?

Thanks,

Matt

[mystery3]

You can use this handy calculator and your stock tire size:
http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
It'll only help you so much though, what is the offset and width of your 16" wheels? If you're running 225/35 r16 or something the difference in rolling diameter is not great.

[Jettagli16v]

Couple questions too:
1)What size wheel? (width and offset)
2)how low is the car?

205/40-16 always works really well on a rim from 6.5-7.5" wide.
You can tuck that properly in the fenders with the proper offset and no scrub...

The short answer is:
Yes, you certainly can run some 16" lo pros on your Mk2 Jetta.

Just dont put heavy wheels on the car.
Factory alloys are surprisingly light and very strong,
and that is one of the main reasons these cars are super fun to drive.
-Brad

[Op-Ivy]

205-45-16 also works fine but it will depend on the offset of your wheels too. If you are going to lower your car I would advise you to go with the 40's.

Mine is lowered pretty good and I had to roll my fenders even with the 40's.

[Matteo]

The wheels on the car are stock. Not sure if the rimms are centerline or exact size of tires that are on them. I will have to check. I was concerned with hitting the strut and wheel wells.

[Jettagli16v]

The wheels on the car are stock. ....I was concerned with hitting the strut and wheel wells.

There weren't any stock 16" wheels for a mk2 to my knowledge.

Strut and wheelwell contact is totally relative to
wheel width and offset...


-Brad

[burnt_servo]

I have a cool set of 16" rims, but am unsure of clearance issues. Are these going to fit if I use low profiles? What would be the tallest tire, and widest adviseable?

Thanks,

Matt

i have 16 inch rims on my jetta ....... can't remember the size off hand , i think they are something like 215/45/16 ..... in a day or so i can pull the numbers off of the car if you want .

[Matteo]

I'm not sure the offset on my 16" rims that I want to put on. Is there any way to measure? The rear tires are 205 50/16 and the fronts are 205 40/16's.

The current rimms are the stock 15's.
So tire width is a consideration for hitting the strut's? That would be the 205 number with the 50 or 40 being the height? Is there a limit to Width/height on a 16" rimm? I suspect I need to know the offset first...

What is the stock 15" rim offset?

Thanks Volks,

Matt