I am the proud owner of a '65 notchback that has at some point been converted to run 4 lug wheels. My current spare wheel is sitting in the rear trunk because the tyre is too wide to fit in the spare wheel well. Obviously this isn't an ideal situation so I am looking to buy a new tyre so that the spare will fit where it is supposed to. The current tyre is a 165/80R15, so would a 155/R15 or a 145/R15 be the better option? What is everybody else running?
Thanks, Darren
vlad01 ·
i had 185 R 15 at one point in the spare tub, can't remember how much spare room there was with that size? it was over 10 years ago.
beetleboyjeff ·
Is it a stock rim, or is it widened or alloy?
68AutoBug ·
Hi
that was the original radial tyre size for type 3's..
but I found with My beetle, different brands of tyre the same size are different widths..
I used to carry a flat spare plus a pump as it wouldn't fit in when pumped up... but I did find a tyre to fit fully pumped up..
and it fits in OK... same size as the other tyre..
I'll look at the brand etc..
cheers
LEE
darrens66 ·
Hi,
thanks for the replies. It is a stock 4 lug rim and because the car is the early short nose model a 185/R15 definitely wouldn't fit.
Thanks, Darren
68AutoBug ·
Yes, a 185-80x15 will definately fit in there
SHOULD HAVE BEEN 165 X 80 X 15
I'll get the brand of tyre etc for You... tomorrow...
BIG difference between brands of tyres.. even same size..??
LEE
empi ·
165 or smaller on a stock rim, 165 on a 5.5 might be pushing it, i have 5.5 with a 145 tyre like a space saver.
dragsters for life ·
i have 165 on stock tim in mine
grumble ·
From memory original tyre size was 165x380 or 5.60x15 and then 165x15.
68AutoBug ·
Sorry, size was 165 x 80 x 15 which is what We all use now as the 155 x 15 is now a vintage tyre. $$$$
but that was what type 3's had.. I believe... as their wheels were slightly wider.. than the Beetle rims..
the tyre I have is an old FEDERAL 165 x 15 so You will just have to look about at tyres and rims..
I bought a few over the years...
An Early 4 stud beetle rim and tyre should fit as the rims were slightly narrower than the type 3s.
still depends on the tyre though...
Best of Luck
cheers
LEE
shaven ·
Darren...
Unless you want it in there for show... why carry one?
I don't see the point. I carry two cans of this in ALL my cars ❗😎
Always have... never had a problem & yes I have used them before... actually 1.5 wks ago.
spares are useful, especially with Australian roads.
68AutoBug ·
vlad01 wrote:spares are useful, especially with Australian roads.
Rural roads are terrible... every time it rains the roads fall to bits
unless they are made from that thick [75mm+] bitumen that comes out of a machine...
only used on major roads though... and highways..
LEE
darrens66 ·
68AutoBug wrote:Sorry, size was 165 x 80 x 15 which is what We all use now as the 155 x 15 is now a vintage tyre. $$$$
but that was what type 3's had.. I believe... as their wheels were slightly wider.. than the Beetle rims..
the tyre I have is an old FEDERAL 165 x 15 so You will just have to look about at tyres and rims..
I bought a few over the years...
An Early 4 stud beetle rim and tyre should fit as the rims were slightly narrower than the type 3s.
still depends on the tyre though...
Best of Luck
cheers
LEE
Hi Lee,
Thanks for checking the brand of your spare. The old girl has 3 different brands of tyre on her, the rear are Nankang, the front are Federal, the spare is a Firestone and they are all 165/R15. So I will do a swap and see if a Federal fits in the spare wheel well.
Shaven, call me old fashioned but I like to carry a spare wheel.
Thanks,
Darren
shaven ·
haha all good Darren
mate im old too but I love the new age stuff. plus no spare gives me more room... & those cans are awesome!!!😉
vlad01 ·
68AutoBug wrote:
vlad01 wrote:spares are useful, especially with Australian roads.
Rural roads are terrible... every time it rains the roads fall to bits
unless they are made from that thick [75mm+] bitumen that comes out of a machine...
only used on major roads though... and highways..