TheSamba.com :: View topic - Was JC Whitney always horrible? or Where to get stock tires?

Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:03 pm

Actually there is no specific aspect ratio (ie "80") for a 165R15 tire. They generally vary from about 80-82 depending on the manufacturer.

But in real life 165R15 and 165/80/15 are the same tire and size.

Tue Aug 09, 2011 5:08 pm

Mine are the 165/80 115.
Isn't the '80' just a percentage of the 165...to indicate width?

Tue Aug 09, 2011 5:21 pm

Sort of...

the 80 means it is 80% as tall as it is wide. Keep in mind that "tall" is measured from the top of the bead to the top of the tire.

Wed Aug 10, 2011 7:00 am

I realized my typo as soon as I walked away from the computer.... :oops: Yeah, 165 is the width, and 80% of 165 is the span from the rim to the outer tread..that is, the height of the sidewall...

Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:07 pm

Just my two cents on the tires. I forked out for B.F. Goodrich Silvertown 6.00-15 bias ply tires for my '76 standard Beetle. That size is what's shown in Bentley's and on the glove box door.

I didn't get them from Coker. I saved a little bit and bought them from www.widewhitetires.com

They're tall and look correct, just like the originals. They ride and handle very nicely.

Fri Aug 12, 2011 10:20 pm

I got a set of Kumho from JC a few months ago. It was a no-nonsense transaction, and the price was good. Shipping was quick. I had searched high and low and could only find the proper tires at one or two other places. Kumho was the only brand I could find.

Sun Aug 14, 2011 4:14 pm

I got an outstanding deal from Mid America Motorworks. Four chrome wheels and 4 tires for $600. They were mounted and balanced and delivered right to my door. No sales tax!They even threw in wheel cleaner and tire cleaner. The tires wer Khumo. The chrome wheels alone usually sell for $100 apiece.