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Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:50 pm

Hi, Newbie here, I recently purchased 1972 Super Beetle. The car came with four new 165R15 Nankang tires mounted on 4-1/2" x 15" rims and two extra un-mounted new tires of the same size. The spare however, was a dry rotted 1980 tire mounted on a clean 4" x 15 rim. So I figured it was best to get a matching 4-1/2" rim for the spare which I picked up at a local swap meet. After mounting one of the new tires on the 4.5" rim for the spare, I find it does not fit into the storage well! The tire hits the bottom lip of the gas tank and cannot be pushed in flat. Anyone hear of this? Is the 165R 15 an oversize tire for the car or will it fit in if I use the 4" rim for the spare? Having a spare on a narrower rim wouldn't be a problem for the amount of time it would ever be used. Or, should get a smaller tire for the spare?? So far, I have found this forum to be a great help and has answered many questions I had about the car. Thanks for any help on this one!

Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:28 pm

4.5 x 15 and 165/15 are stock size, it should fit. Try deflating the tire a little, slip it into the well, then inflating. But you also need to ensure that with about 28 psi you can remove it. If it doesn't fit there might be some other problem.

Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:28 pm

I have a 165/80 R15 Kumho tire for my spare and it is a very tight fit. It was actually getting caught on the lip of the trunk lid, so all i had to do was bend the lip forward some and all was well with world. It is amazing what a BFH can fix! :lol:

Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:32 pm

X2.I have a 72 super and had to bend the lip a little because of the fit. Just be careful to only put around 18 PSI in it or it will be SUPER TIGHT! If you are running your windshield washer off of it you might want a little more air because it will deflate, but tight it will be...

Thu Oct 29, 2009 5:46 pm

x3.

My Euro RHD version originally came with 155SR15 tires all round. They fit easily. The 165 tires were sent to the US only/mainly. They don't fit as well.

Thu Oct 29, 2009 7:40 pm

Same problems with a standard. I was barely able to fit a 165R15 Nankang in the well....VERY tight.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:48 am

Thanks for the replies, the tire off the rim fits fine with room to 'spare', LOL. I will try "modifying" the front lip, I can see its already distorted from a PO's prior front end damage. The tire has 27 psi in it. Any thoughts on using the 4-inch rim?

Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:14 am

I tried the lip, helped but still tight in the well. Since the car is a '72 but has '74 style front fenders with triangular bumper bracket openings and '74 style piston front bumper brackets, I believe it was in a front end wreck at some point in its life and the well is pushed in slightly. I'm going to try pushing it out using a bottle jack placed in the well with some wood supports to stretch it, only needs a 1/4" to clear the tire, I'll let ya know how it works.[/img]

Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:07 pm

Jacking didn't work, the well is still a 1/2" too tight at the front. Does anybody know who makes a 165R15 75 or 155/75 size tire? The 165R/80 is too large in diameter, 24.5" I think..thanks again.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 7:18 pm

165X15 is oversize.

They came with 5.60X15 or 155X15

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:50 pm

I run 14" aftermarket wheels/tires on my 1971 Super Beetle, spare tire lies flat (horizontal). That said, my spare (hardly ever needed to use it) is mounted on a stock 1971 wheel, and I just braved the elements to go out to the garage to check on the spare tire size OK, it's Arizona, so the garage was only 65 degrees F). The tire (it's old, states (only) 165SR15, no aspect ratio.

That's all I've ever used on my VWs with stock wheels, and such a spare tire also fit in my standard '70 bug (slanted spare alignment).

Fri Oct 30, 2009 9:52 pm

DeathTrap wrote: 165X15 is oversize.

They came with 5.60X15 or 155X15

yes, it's oversize, but it still fits...snugly...in my standard. can't speak for the SB.

Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:03 pm

besides, what good is a deflated spare when you need it?

Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:04 pm

Do you have a pic? Post one because it should be alright

Fri Oct 30, 2009 11:02 pm

165rx15 works in my '72 and '75 Supers with 16 or 18 psi. That's the recommended amount of psi.

Sat Oct 31, 2009 4:45 am

Actually the rear requires 27, and if you want your stock windshield washer system to work you'll need up to 42 (it varies a bit from year to year, check the sticker inside the glove box door). From the owner's manual:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/72bug.php

Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:16 pm

Solved spare tire fit! I bought a 155R15 Vredestein vintage tire remake from Universal Vintage Tire out of Hersey, PA. I mounted it on a stock 4-inch rim and it fits perfect in the well with room to spare all around, whereas the 165 won't go in. The 155R measures 24.5" diameter at 30 psi and is only 6" wide on this rim. So my spare will be slightly smaller, no worse than riding on a donut until I get home, should the need ever arise. Thanks to all and hope this helps some one else...

Wed Nov 04, 2009 9:35 pm

doe the paint look original in the trunk?
lots of bugs have been in front end collisions after 35+ years
the wheel well might be slighlty tweaked
ive had 6 supers now and all of them comfortably fitted 165/80 spares

155 tyres havent been availble here for decades

Thu Nov 05, 2009 6:31 am

The wheel well paint is all original and its not crumpled at the front, but the hood lip with the latch receiver is bent up and re-painted. The car is a '72 but has '74 front fenders with the triangular openings for the bumper brackets and 74 style piston brackets, so I think the front was pushed in at some point and distorted the well. But it looks perfectly round in front, the 165 just won't fit by about 1/4". The 155 clears by 3/4" all around, even fits loose. My car, note the bumper mounts...

Thu Nov 05, 2009 6:52 am

nice looking 72