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Tyres for a 15 inch, 5 inch wide wheel

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t_tuffnut Wolfsburg Wizard

425 posts · joined Jun 2009 ·

#931035
Hi all,

I'm getting some Radars for the bug and the local tyre place are going to try a few different tyres on the rims.

Will a 195 fit under standard guards on a stock ride height? I'd prefer the taller tyres for a better ratio on the freeway.

They reckon that Federals are the only brand for that width.

What have you all got on yours? any ideas what else I could be looking at?

Cheers
1966 Bug

1973 L Bug

oldtub356 Seriously Crusin Dubber

139 posts · joined Dec 2009 ·

#931099
Here is a bit of info which may help:
http://www.porsche356registry.org/resources/tech-articles/research-and-identification/299-356-tires-types-sizes.html

195x65x15 Tyres are starting get a bit balloonish on 5" wheels - but, not too bad on a 'road' car, especially expressway driving.
They wallow a bit on tight cornering but a bit extra pressure helps - say, 30psi, at the back.
I have been using 185x65 on the front and 195x65 on the back - on both 5.5" and 5.0' wheels all around.

Have a look on eBay for Continental EcoContact3 tyres 195x65x15. They come standard on Euro hatches (Golfs and the like) and are often
replaced when new or newish so that they can wear large diameter aftermarket wheels.

psimitar Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,506 posts · joined Jan 2009 ·

#931104
all tyre manufacturers are meant to supply a listing of rim widths a trye width and ratio will fit on properly.

If Oz tyre companies don't do this then look at UK and European tyre sites.

From Memory for a 5J you can safely fit a 185/60 or 65 at the most. 195 of any ratio is not recommended. A teller ratio will go on the rim but it is likely to easily dislodge under hard cornering.
madness is in the eye of the beholder 👍

65standard Officially Full-On Dubber

373 posts · joined Apr 2009 ·

#931122
t_tuffnut wrote:Hi all,

I'm getting some Radars for the bug and the local tyre place are going to try a few different tyres on the rims.

Will a 195 fit under standard guards on a stock ride height? I'd prefer the taller tyres for a better ratio on the freeway.

They reckon that Federals are the only brand for that width.

What have you all got on yours? any ideas what else I could be looking at?

Cheers
Nankang 165/80R15. Perfect replacement for the old tyres. These fit the old 5.60" x 15" rims. Not many manufacturers out there for the old "bicycle wheels" for the VW.

I have these fitted on my '65 Beetle, and they handle well. Done quite a few thousand miles on them so far without a problem.
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is!

sander288 "Bolt-on Master"

1,404 posts · joined Aug 2008 ·

#931125
There are actually a few options for you in the 165/80r15 size now,

Hankook Optimo K715
Maxxis MA-701
Nankang
Michelin Classic range - gets $$$
Vredestein
Continental CT22
BMW R65 LS
1967 1300 Deluxe
Swing-axles FTW ❗

BiX Veteran Volks Folk

2,499 posts · joined Sep 2002 ·

#931136
I run 195 and 205 60's on 5.5 inch rims with no problem.
I probably wouldn't go any narower on the rim with a 195 though.
I have no sympathy for my car, only the wallet that pays for it!
Go hard or go home!!!!

Ian Bugden AKA - Bugs

248 posts · joined May 2003 ·

#935608
I run 5.5" rims (empi 5 spokes) on a couple of my cars, I run a 205/65/15 on the rear of both (as wide as you can go) and is has the same rolling diameter of a 165R15. On the front I use a couple of different sizes, on a stock hieght bug I run 185/60/15 and have no clearance issues front or rear. on my lowered car (115mm of ground clearance with narrowed beam drop spindles etc, I run 165/50/15, I could go a little higher in the side wall and still have no clearance issues. The rear is dropped 2 splines and have no clearance issues. Yokohama have a good website and you can see what tyres fit what rim.

Bugs
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail.....
But a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "Damm that was fun!!!"