I have a set of Hakka Q's 185/65 R15 from my old 760 wagon. I have rims from an 850 that will fit on the 960 due to the different offset. I know the recommended size for a 960 is 195/65 R15 and at least for the Nokians they go from a single ply side wall on the 185's to a double ply side wall on the 195s. does anybody have any experience using the 185's on a 960 wagon. due to budget constraints ( lost my job) I don't want to shell out any more money than I have to, but considering it will cost me ~$100 to get them mounted, I don't want waste any money either. thanks in advance.

Nothing in my 40 odd years of being a "gear-head" says you would have a problem. Go for it!
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'96 965 with 16' wheels at 120K. Had '85 745 Turbo Diesel for 200K.

Your speedo will be ever so slightly slow and it might feel a little more loose in the corners on dry pavement, but they will be better in the snow, due to the 185's having a narower track (narower is better for cutting through the snow and getting the tire to solid ground). Because they are also taller than the 195's the sidewall will flex more providing even better traction. I've used Hakka Q's on my road car, as well as my 4WD rally car for years... and found none beter for all round winter driving.

-Dave
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Dave G. '86 740 w/ 275,000 km

The tire diameter will be a little smaller and will throw off your speedometer/odometer. The slight change in width will affect your braking and dry weather performance but ever so slightly and probably not so noticeable. As long as those rims fit the 960 (offset is the important here) and those tires will safely fit on those rims (width), you should be o.k. Not ideal, but o.k.

DEWFPO
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1998 S90 071,245 and 1995 964 154,100