what tyre size do i need?

Hi guys, right i've bought some audi A3 alloys for my polo but they came with the tyres for the A3 still on which are 195/65/15's. I'm fairly sure these won't go on my car as its lowered 30mm on springs so was wondering what profile people would recommend? I'm looking at either 195/50/15 or 195/40/15 but don't want to be too low profile as the whole point of these wheels was to reduce the arch gap a bit. If it helps my current tyres are 165/70/14 and theres a fair bit of arch gap.

I would be grateful for any advice/recommendations? Also the tyres which are currently on the A3 wheels will probs be for sale in the near future, they are nearly new with 5mm tread on all so if anyone with a standard height a3 or similar is interested get in touch

worth just test fitting them when they arrive?

I've got them at the moment on the A3 tyres but lined up alongside the car they look like they probably won't go on but havent actually tried fitting them, think that would be worth a try?

yeah give then a test fit.. but tbh id put 195/50/15s on it
and lower the car more to sure the arch gap

sweet yeah i was thinking 50 cheers asbo. And yeah have long term plans for coilies so arch gap will eventually be terminated

Yeh defo worth a test fit for sure! I would prob go to a 40 profile if ur planning to go coilovers!

Abit of maths. Your current tyres are 7" plus 115.5mm tyre wall from the centre. This is 29cm from centre to the top of the tyre.

As you are now running 15's (1inch bigger than 14's!) the tyre will now be 12.5mm closer to the wheel arch, if you were still using the same spec tyres. With the tyres you have on these alloys, you have 7.5" plus 126.75mm, so this is 31.4cm from the centre, or basicly 2.4cm closer to your arch.

Tyre size really depends on suspension travel/ width, as over a bump on full lock you are more likely to catch your arch is a wide tyre than you would with a narrower tyre, so although you might get the height to match your existing wheels, the additional width might be what causes you the issues.

195/50/15 = 28.5cm from centre, so slightly more arch gap than your current wheels (5mm)

195/40/15 = 26.6cm from centre, so quite abit difference, an extra 24mm arch gap.

Personaly, I would go for the 195/50/15 as you shouldn't encounter issues due to the extra width, arch gap will be about the same and the tyres will also be cheaper that the 40's.

Hope that helps!

Thanks Lucas thats really helpful all the information I was after is there, much appreciated.