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Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:44 am

I've decided that it is time to get new tires, especially after reading that people have had problems with new two year old tires from just sitting on the shelf :shock: .

To start things off i know nothing about tires, (what the numbers mean etc..) so any explanation would be much appreciated.

I currently have the common 5 spoke (5 lug) rims (don't know the brand.) on my 67 with stock suspension.

My question is: what tires are ideal for average driving? and where do you guys suggest i look to find buy them/have them done?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:24 am

If you want close to stock, you would want to go with a 165R-15 tire (I have 165/80R15s on my Beetle). Some say that they can be hard to find. Call around to some of the lesser shops and you should find them. Cooper tires have always had what I needed for a lot less then the big shops...

And if you are on a budget, remember that VW's never left the factory with white-walls (at least that's what I read here on the Samba), so go with plain black tires.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:56 am

Woreign wrote: And if you are on a budget, remember that VW's never left the factory with white-walls (at least that's what I read here on the Samba), so go with plain black tires.
I don't know why this myth continues to be perpetuated. M128, factory white wall tires.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/mcodest1.php

Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:41 am

I guess you can't believe everything you read...

Did I at least get the tire size correct?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:58 am

Yes, those are the replacement sizes nearest stock in the modern tire size system. the 165R15's are getting hard to get ahold of. I wasn't meaning to criticize you for reporting what you read here, it just seems weird to me how prevalent that idea is due to a couple mis-informed posts long ago.

Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:08 pm

I just checked what i currently have and they have the numbers of my current tires: P195/65R15, i assume this means i've been running larger than stock. Should i get new versions of what i have or go with the 165R15's. is there any issue with running larger than stock tires?

Note: Id like to have as much breaking force as possible so are larger tires better?

Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:13 pm

HerrrKafer wrote: Woreign wrote: And if you are on a budget, remember that VW's never left the factory with white-walls (at least that's what I read here on the Samba), so go with plain black tires.
I don't know why this myth continues to be perpetuated. M128, factory white wall tires.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/info/mcodest1.php
On the birth certificate for my '65 it showed the M128 for white walls.

Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:01 am

67-kid wrote: I just checked what i currently have and they have the numbers of my current tires: P195/65R15, i assume this means i've been running larger than stock. Should i get new versions of what i have or go with the 165R15's. is there any issue with running larger than stock tires?

Note: Id like to have as much breaking force as possible so are larger tires better?
If you're happy with the fit of the 195/65's, I would stick with that. The only real disadvantage is that your odometer and speedometer will be off by about 2.3%, assuming all other contributing factors are stock. This probably isn't a big deal at all, and you already have that if you're running the 195/65's right now.

As far as braking, the advantage to the wider 195's is that they are harder to lock up, so you're only really gaining anything if 165's will lock up at full braking (which they probably would, especially in adverse conditions).

Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:32 pm

here is a GREAT read on tires, it will teach you everything there is to know, also it has a very useful tire size calculator that you can use to find to speedo error (which would actually be 1.63%). it may be long but you will learn alot

http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg2.html

Thu Aug 28, 2008 12:31 am

Maimas13 wrote: (which would actually be 1.63%).
You only came up with that number because the calculator you referenced doesn't include bias-ply tires like the 5.60x15 that originally came on the OP's car. To figure out how much the speedometer is off, it is useless to compare his current tires to a size that is commonly used as a replacement, but is not the same size as stock, such as the 165/80/15.

Depending on date and brand of manufacture, 5.60x15 tires are about 25.6 - 25.8 inches in total diameter, so he'll be off by something in the range of 2.3% - 3%. The hundredths digit is grossly insignificant.

Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:43 am

actually they have a size that is the equivalent to the original size 165/82 r15. but I'd rather not argue. so Ill go with 2.3%

but yah your speedo will read 70 when really youll be going like 67-68 or so, not too much to worry about, just keep it in mind.

Thu Aug 28, 2008 9:54 am

Maimas13 wrote: actually they have a size that is the equivalent to the original size 165/82 r15.
They calculate the same RR for 165/80 as the metric radial 165/82. Weird. :?
But yes, in any event, he will only be off by a small amount, which he's already dealing with, so life is good. :D :D