What's the widest tyre size I can have on a standard early rim? I also wanted
low profile. Is there such a size as 185x50x15? Would it fit on standard
rim?
Thanks
Raf
The widest tyre you can legally fit is th 165 (a "plus two" fitment.) Wider tyres on the stock rim are not allowed because they can pop the
bead out...
Never seen a 185/60/15 tyre, checked the catalogues of most manufacturers.
Correct me if I am wrong but I think the A-class mercedes (those little ones that look like vans) run 175/15 x 15in tyres. They look quite nice and
the profile looks pretty low. Not sure where to find them though?
Alan
Trouble with Odd tyre sizes is that they start to get expensive...
On a 5.5X15 you can put a 195X50....
A real easy tyre to get as they are a bombadoor or falcoon tyre.
Bout $125 for a good brand tyre...
ive got some 215r15's
on a standard later model beetle rim
probably not leagl though but works fine
marcel
I've got 195/60/15 on my 72 beetle
215 on 4.5" rims? Wow. You wouldn't have a pic, would you?
Raf
[Edited on 6-4-2003 by karmannghia60]
yeah, I would love to see a photo of 215's or even 195's on a standard 4.5" rim - can anyone say balloon ? 
Having been involved in rallying, I can say "tyre
separation."
why be so critical of this oversized tyre choice?
If driven below 80 km/h and not driven around corners they would be fine (as long as correct tyre press). and not hit any big bumps.
I've run 205/60/15 on standard rims - but on the back only. Never had one pop, but then I never really hung it out. Put plenty of long distance
k's on them without any problems. Each to their own.
Supposed I'd better mention that this was on 5.5 not 4.5 rims.
Squiz......
[Edited on 9-4-2003 by squizy]
Dont get me wrong, I'm not knocking you for doing it, its just that every tyre place I've talked to has said 165 is the max you can put on
them safely....
Each to their own.
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i know that you people are talking about stock wheels here, but I have 215/60's on my 5.5inch Five spokes. And a freind of mine has 205/70's
on his car. Sometimes smaller tire shops will try different sizes on your rims to see which is the best for you. I say this because if you dont, you
will get the opinion for the masses, not for the individual. I do stuff to my cars that could be seen as unsafe to some people, ( like not running
shocks on the front). but, they dont know how i drive or how often i drive it. If VW sold cars with 135's on the front, they would be junk due
to poor handling and braking. But that is for the individual, do get what I'm saying? Im not sue I do. ohh well, heres a pic of my friends car
on 205/70's on a 5 spoke
HOLY CRAP MAN!
Thats one hell of a ride you got there!
Should be in Members rides!
Sweeet!
You can usually convince the authorities to allow your 215's on a 5.5" rim, 'cos they've been used on production cars. While I
can accept that some have gotten away with 205's on a stock rim (have a look - they're actually 4" {this is the bead width, Yanks quote
the outside measured width,}) they are not legal and will eventually cause problems. Such fitments were originally banned back in the days of
crossplies after a number of deaths were traced back to such tyres separating or even disintegrating! I admit tyres have improved a lot since then,
but I don't recommend taking the risk.
P.S. Tyres of 205 (8"
and wider are usually not allowed on VW's
as they tend to cause aquaplaning on such a light vehicle. 
There are new
tyres out designed to counteract this, but the authorities tend to be a bit behind the times...
I've got the reverse problem:
front tyres scrub the ghia's guards at hard lock.
What's the narrowest tyre you can fit on a 5.5" Mangels?? (Currently running 165x15)
I don't think 4.5" Mangels are available?