Source for 165/15 tyres

matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Mar 2009, 10:22 am

#700209

I've seen old posts on here, but just wondering for Sydney does anyone know a good place to get 165/15 standard beetle/type 3 tyres? Seems like they've become a speciality item these days.

Cheaper to buy some aftermarket wheels and run different tyres it seems!

Cheers

Steve

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Mar 2009, 11:00 am

#700217

matara wrote:I've seen old posts on here, but just wondering for Sydney does anyone know a good place to get 165/15 standard beetle/type 3 tyres? Seems like they've become a speciality item these days.

Cheaper to buy some aftermarket wheels and run different tyres it seems!

Cheers

Steve

You may be correct Steve..

155 have gone to the VERY Expensive Vintage tyres list
and I heard many other common sizes are going the same way.. We may have to store up some 165 x 15 if We can find them at the usual prices...

Best of luck

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 12 Mar 2009, 11:12 am

#700220

matara wrote:I've seen old posts on here, but just wondering for Sydney does anyone know a good place to get 165/15 standard beetle/type 3 tyres? Seems like they've become a speciality item these days.

Cheaper to buy some aftermarket wheels and run different tyres it seems!

Cheers

Steve

I got some Federal tyres for about $75from Goodyear tyres
The Michelin cost about $195 🤪
You can still get both

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

zayus Wolfsburg Wizard

437 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 12 Mar 2009, 1:18 pm

#700249

Steve,

Use the internet! 🙂

Google search the tyre size, ie: 165/15/65 or Google search a tyre brand, ie: Continental.
Results: try the link below.

http://www.tyres4u.com.au/brandselector_doc-contiprodcec3sizes_img-cp_show.aspx

For example: Continental make the following tyre that is perfect for the 4.5/15 rim.
15" 155/60R15 OE Smart Car; T 190, 4.5inch optimum rim, 575mm diameter.

Continental & Michelin make 155, 165 & 175 tyres - OE for many small Euro cars, ie: Smart Car, Renault Clio, Mini Cooper.

The trick of course, is whether those tyres are easily available in Australia! May need to special order them froma tyre specialist or talk to the Service Department at a Mercedes dealer(Smart Car), Renault dealer, Mini/BMW dealer.

Modern tyres are definately available for 4.5 - 5.5 inch rims, no need to drive on ancient Michelins or any other radial relic from the '70's!

Good Luck,
Zayus

bitemeoz Officially Full-On Dubber

355 posts · joined Oct 2003 · 12 Mar 2009, 2:10 pm

#700256

ive got some 185/45 15's for sale if anyone is interested.

John

matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Mar 2009, 2:22 pm

#700259

I think the problem isn't the size, there are lots of 165/15 tyres, the problem is the sidewall height is 78 or 80 series. Running a 65 series tyre will reduce your top end speed and the wheels will look a bit small in the wheel well.

I'll give a good year place a call and see.

Cheers

Steve

zayus Wolfsburg Wizard

437 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 12 Mar 2009, 3:22 pm

#700277

True, the sidewall of a 165/60 would look terrible when the front is at standard ride height, as for speedo accuracy - no chance!
Otherwise lower the nose, and go for the old raked cal look and forget accuracy!

Zayus

desh Wolfsburg Wizard

463 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 12 Mar 2009, 3:44 pm

#700281

These chaps do list the stand Beetle size tyres, without any prices however

http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/

--------------------------
Kind Regards
Des

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Mar 2009, 3:44 pm

#700282

If You look thru the Bob Jane catalog on line...

the only Michelin tyres listed are High Priced low profile large diameter tyres...

165 80 15 are not a common tyre any longer...
as there are too many different sized tyres on new cars..

smart car tyres would be expensive I think...??

Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Mar 2009, 3:45 pm

#700284

desh wrote:These chaps do list the stand Beetle size tyres, without any prices however

http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/

I believe that VW sized tyres from michelin are over $200 each.. maybe $295..??

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

desh Wolfsburg Wizard

463 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 12 Mar 2009, 3:48 pm

#700287

68AutoBug wrote:
desh wrote:These chaps do list the stand Beetle size tyres, without any prices however

http://www.antiquetyres.com.au/
I believe that VW sized tyres from michelin are over $200 each.. maybe $295..??

LEE

Standard size listed in my owners manual is 5,60-15 4 PR

--------------------------
Kind Regards
Des

matara Custom Title Time!

1,342 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Mar 2009, 3:50 pm

#700289

I bought a set of 5 Michelin XZX's for my 356 back in 2004 for $540! Bit rich having to pay 3 times that for the same tyres!

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Mar 2009, 3:56 pm

#700290

desh wrote:Standard size listed in my owners manual is 5,60-15 4 PR

those haven't been available from a normal tyre service for over 20 years Des...
they were cross ply tyres... Now antique.. Costly..

the closest radial to them was 155x 15 textile and steel radials...
I don't think You can buy textile radials these days either..

Now 155 x 15 is on the endangered species listing..
and 165 80 15 are on their way too...

too many different size tyres on New cars Now...

cheers

LEE

PS: Next thing - tyres will disappear off beetles... stolen..
Not the Rims/wheels... lol just the tyres..lol...
I have some snow chains I could weld to the rims..lol..

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

desh Wolfsburg Wizard

463 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 12 Mar 2009, 3:59 pm

#700291

68AutoBug wrote:
desh wrote:Standard size listed in my owners manual is 5,60-15 4 PR
those haven't been available from a normal tyre service for over 20 years Des...
they were cross ply tyres... Now antique.. Costly..

I was looking at my spare tyre the other day, 5x60 15 Dunlop, made in Australia, antique!

😂

--------------------------
Kind Regards
Des

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 12 Mar 2009, 5:47 pm

#700336

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 · 12 Mar 2009, 5:51 pm

#700339

I blew out one of my michelins and had to replace it, the XZX was 300 + so wasn't best pleased, however I got them to find a cheaper tyre and they came up with Maxxis tyre MA-701 I quite like the look of the tyre it has a smoother vintage look to it with a reasonably good radial tread, the price was 110 - 120 per tyre, I got them at Jax's Tyres in Coffs

BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

desh Wolfsburg Wizard

463 posts · joined Jan 2009 · 12 Mar 2009, 5:52 pm

#700340

Ian they look really nice, especally with the chrome dress rings!

--------------------------
Kind Regards
Des

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 · 12 Mar 2009, 5:53 pm

#700341

yeah those dress rings look pretty special, not the norm

BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 12 Mar 2009, 5:55 pm

#700343

desh wrote:I was looking at my spare tyre the other day, 5x60 15 Dunlop, made in Australia, antique!

😂

Yes
You will find many of those still in the spare tyre wells...
in beetles and tyre 3s..

they do fit better than some of the 165 80 x 15

I have a 165 80 x 15 that wouldn't fit in My spare wheel well.. can't remember what brand it was..

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

ian.mezz I never said, I could write or spell

3,913 posts · joined Sep 2004 · 12 Mar 2009, 5:55 pm

#700344

😂🤪😂🤪😂
car forums. where a lot of peoples good intentions end up taking a good old car off the road forever never ever to see the road again. 🥲

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 12 Mar 2009, 6:10 pm

#700348

Kumho and Marshall tyres are still available in 165/80x15 for a reasonable price or so the rep told me a couple of weeks ago.