I received this email from one of our club members this evening:
"About 2 years ago, I had my VW Superbug fitted with Michelin tyres. They cost me $140 each.
"I was told that new VWs were originally fitted with Michelin tyres. But I like them because they last so long. They seem to outlast any other tyre that I've tried on various cars. This includes Avon, Dunlop, Bridgestone, Olympic, and Goodyear.
"Recently I went to a Michelin tyre dealer at Campbelltown to get the spare changed to a Michelin, only to be told that they now cost $340 each!
"I was told that Michelin now consider them a "historic" tyre and have jacked up the price, hoping that the mug restorer will pay it.
"Needless to say, I purchased a "Nexen" Korean-made tyre 165/80R15 SB802 87 T for $90.00.
"Have you had any previous complaints about the price of Michelin tyres? Or do you know if they can be purchased cheaper anywhere else?"
Regards,
Cliff Willard
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I thought Australian VWs were fitted originally with cross-ply tyres, and later Uniroyal Steel Cat radials (at least, Kombis and Golfs were). Not Michelins.
I tend to buy whatever is available at the time at the best price. I hardly think that tread patterns make much difference when you are running drum brakes all round! Any advantage the pattern gains thru technology is lost on the braking capabilities of an historic car. Best to use common sense and avoid trouble. The next set I buy are going to be whitewalls from antique tyres when I get around to it!
- Adam
If you can't fix it with a hammer,
you have an electrical problem....
BizarreModeratorThe artist formerly known as blue74l
i think ive tried almost half the tyres on the market now seeing as all my cars seem to go thro rim changes on an hourly basis
ill never go back to fedrals, nankangs or khumos
barry i got 4 new yoki C-drives on my daily to, im really impressed with them
pretty exy tyres at 141ea but the grip and handling in wet and dry is so worth it
just be interested to see how long they last as theyre a fairly soft compound tyre
bug is currently running falkens on the front and nexens on the back
nexens seem to be lasting for ever
hugs the corners like its on rails but 40 series tyres tend to do that anyway
Michelins steel radial tyres were recommended for Beetles and type 3s..
and i had them on beetles and type 3
back then they were probably the best tyre for wear.
as other radials were textile.. not steel..
Michelin Xs were the most common radial for many years
they wore longer than any other tyre..
but they were terrible in the wet...
later, with other companies making steel belted radials like Pirelli and continental
Michelin bought out the XAS which was a good wet weather tyre and the pattern wasn't the same across the tread... there was a correct way of fitting them
and an incorrect way....
I can't remember what tyres i have on My beetle..
but Korean tyres will do Me..
I wouldn't have Chinese tyres or brands that i don't know
I did look at some websites before buying new tyres and michelins were a Premium tyre at a Premium price...
much too expensive..
but 165 x 15 weren't even listed...
Lee
- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---
Those Michies are a beautiful tyre... good ride comfort, tenacious grip and they don't 'bite' (if you are 'up it') but for fuxsake, how much?! I said 'no' when they reached $150 each... I have Kumhos and Hankooks these days
Nankang.... retail for about $70
If you can buy direct from a wholesaler.... $40
Same compound etc as Yokohama, so they wear a little quicker than Michilen or Continental, but they are a much nicer, and definately quieter ride in my opinion.
Keep them rotated, and they last pretty well.
I checked prices earlier this year for some 145's for my bug. Went to my favourite tyre shop and got prices for Nankangs of $90 fitted & balanced and Michelins were $190 fitted & balanced. Nearly fell over at the price difference. I don't pay that for 225/50/16's for my wagon. They said it was because the Michelins were now part of the vintage tyre range. Same tread pattern and rubber as 40 years ago for that price is ridiculous.
The Wheels magazine road test of the new Australian 1500 Beetle (Aug 1968 issue) says it came with 'Goodyear G8 5.60-15' crossplies.
Modern Motor tested the new 1600 Superbug in their April 1971 issue, which had '5.60 x 15 tubeless crossply Goodyear tyres.'
In March 1972 Wheels tested the 1300 Beetle, and it also came with 'Goodyear G8 5.60-15' crossplies.
Then the Melbourne assembly plant must have upgraded.
Wheels tested the new 1600 Superbug S in the July 1972 issue. It came with 'Goodyear 155SR-15' radials.
In the October 1974 issue, Wheels tested the 1600 Superbug L. It also came with 'Goodyear 155SR-15' radials.
As far as I can tell, US-spec Beetles came with cross-plies the whole way through. UK 1302 and 1303 Beetles seem to have been Semperit cross plies, as far as I can tell. South African Beetles were also cross plies, although in later years you could specify radials as an option.
68AutoBugBeetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --
didnt realise you could get them full-sized! Ive been running the 165/15s and been very happy with them, seem decent in the wet, lotsa grip in the dry, not great on gravel, but i dont expect much on gravel with 165s! seem to be wearing very well too.
Reimagined/Recycled/Upcycled Cool
Craig Torrens6 times Australian, 7 times State Hillclimb Class Champion
I remember reading a road test in Wheels magazine on the last 76 Beetle in Australia, they really bagged its handling, it was on cross plies, no wonder it handled badly even though the 76 went back to the tractor front end then.
Steve
68AutoBugBeetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --
