TheSamba.com :: View topic - 165/65r15 tires on the front of a lowered bug

Mon Aug 11, 2025 2:50 pm

Current setup 62 bug, 5 inch narrowed beam, cb 2.5 inch dropped spindles stock rims with 145r15 tires on the front

I'm upgrading to empi sprint star rims (5 inches wide) and was looking at 165/65r15 tires on the front (not going for slammed just a slight lowering in the front). Only brand I see for this size is continental and the reviews are in the good range, not excellent.

I was even considering 175/65r15 on the front, this opens up the option of different brands but this might cause rubbing issues.

don't get me started on the back, I wanted 195/65r15 (closer to stock height) but needs 5.5 rims, next would be 185/65r15.

anyone familiar with these tire sizes?

Tue Aug 12, 2025 6:33 am

been running 165/65R15s on the front of beetles and type 3s for years now

its my favourite tire for the front, same diameter as the classic 135 but puts more rubber on the road with more modern tread patterns than the old 135s come in, work a lot better especially under braking and in the wet

dont know about in the US but here in europe they are widely available in a whole range of brands from premium ones all the way through to the budget no name specials

I usually run the continentals and theyve always been good for me

edit to add, my only worry would be running them with a 5" beam, you may find you dont get much lock before they start to rub on the inner fenders

Tue Aug 12, 2025 3:15 pm

geeze wrote: been running 165/65R15s on the front of beetles and type 3s for years now

its my favourite tire for the front, same diameter as the classic 135 but puts more rubber on the road with more modern tread patterns than the old 135s come in, work a lot better especially under braking and in the wet

dont know about in the US but here in europe they are widely available in a whole range of brands from premium ones all the way through to the budget no name specials

I usually run the continentals and theyve always been good for me

edit to add, my only worry would be running them with a 5" beam, you may find you dont get much lock before they start to rub on the inner fenders

it's possible I might swap the beam back to a 2 inch narrowed and go back to drums so I can have shocks.
what size and brand do you run on the back?

Wed Aug 13, 2025 4:58 am

had no problems running the 165/65s with a 2" beam, lost a little lock on 3.5 but thats always the way :lol:

back usually go with 205/65 for that classic big and little stance but sometimes 195/65 if thats going to be too close to the archlip, depends a lot what rear end and wheel offset you run