What TIRES fit? The ultimate tire thread!

[rob88]

Hi i,m new to Samba and new to owning Vw. I just bought 87 vanagon westy been searching for ages. I want to change out the old 14" wheels for 15 or 16" with correct spacers ect and correct rated tires. For Street use. I know there's a lot of info out there but can someone simplify. Id like to get used MBZ rims or ? and buy the correct tires as this seems a cheaper route than GW ect. Much appriciated Chaps

[rob88]

For example would these work?
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/wto/d/mercedes-saluminum-rims-new/6551758574.html

[rob88]

Or these https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/wto/d/mercedes-benz-16-wheels-rims/6581519007.html

[bobbyblack]

Welcome Rob88,

This is the "tire thread" you are asking about rims. Look at the wheels thread instead.


https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=203519


Also, it would be helpful for us to know where you are. Some folks here might just have a spare set.

Good luck
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[JDEL]

I purchased a set of rims and the tires on the rims are 215-65-15. I have a vanagon multivan that has the same stance as a vanagon carat. Are these tires too tall for my vanagon? Will I have rubbing issues? I currently have 205-70-15 tires.

[elizer]

[bobbyblack]

[elizer]

I shouldn't have assumed they were load rated. What he said ^^^^^^

[JDEL]

The tire size comparison section on the tiresize.com website is a helpful tool. Thanks for the tip. The new tires should work. I will put them on this weekend and take them for a spin.

[rmcd]

Interesting article with dyno showing impact of a 11# heavier rim and 1” larger tire.

“one inch of wheel diameter and 11.6 pounds of wheel weight, then lost 14 HP and 9 lb-ft of torque at the wheels “

https://jalopnik.com/see-how-big-tires-can-change-wheel-horsepower-1825922567
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VW LT40 build. Like a Vanagon but 30% larger in every direction and 40% slower even in metric.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=749359&highlight=

[llilibel03]

[danfromsyr]

for those who are running the 205/70/15 Geolandars
on sale now thru the weekend. $315/4 or $94 ea shipped

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4-NEW-205-70-15-YOKOHAMA-GEOLANDAR-AT-GO15-70R-R15-TIRES-32467/361814855295
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[danfromsyr]

and buy your next winter tires now
at Discount Tire for $67ea shipped

https://www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-tires/general-altimax-arctic-12-studdable/p/35921

General Altimax Arctic 12 Studdable

205 /70 R15 100T XL BSW
ITEM: 35921
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[llilibel03]

[Vashon]

Just ordered 4 Nokian WR C3 215/60R16C D/8PR BSW from easy-tire. com . Seems like they were the only place that had these in the 60 size. So any one concerned about diameter issues but want heavy duty Nokians in 60 series they are available. After reading endless tire threads these appear to be a good fit for my 2wd 2.1 87 Westy.
I didn't care much for the Hydroedges that experts sold me so I made my own choice this time . Not an inexpensive choice but I hope a good one.
Its hard to find a tire that is good in the northwest but can be driven to the southwest and then take a few 100 miles on rough gravel roads. Cold ,hot ,smooth highway and gravel are the norm for my winter travels. Carrying extra tires on the roof isn't an option- too much camping stuff up there. I guess I'll see if 8ply Finnish wonders don't do the trick.
I should add that 15' wheels( extra sidewall and more tire choices) probably would have been a better choice for my long driving trips. did I mention random snow, mud ,sand ?
Tim
87 Wolfsburg Westy Weekender "Blanco Burro"

[MTV1960]

Thinking of switching my BFG AT KO which are discontinued to either the AT KO2 or the Mud Terrain k02. The MT's look way cooler but not sure if its worth the looks to switch. Driving from Costa Rica to Cali so fair amount of on road and fair amount of beach sand travel. The new KO2 all terrain is no longer available with the raised white letters and i have 2 serviceable spares in the old KO model. so...any one have experience with the BFG MT's?
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86 Wolfsburg Weekender
87 Syncro Westy

[HighTopBay]

Here's some pic's of Maxxis Buckshot mudder II's on my country homes camper. size is 27x8.5R14 on stock steel wheels. load range C. Ride is pretty decent, they are a bit loud (to be expected). Totally stock suspension, no lift or spacers or anything, just old worn out stock springs. Currently powered by a 2.3L gowesty unit(soon to be for sale since im going subaru), so i havent noticed any issues with acceleration or on climbing those tough FL hills lol.

van11 by Louis DePaolis, on Flickr

van8 by Louis DePaolis, on Flickr

van6 by Louis DePaolis, on Flickr

van5 by Louis DePaolis, on Flickr
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Louis DePaolis

[VicVan]

Maybe that's old news to you, but I just learnt Yokohma discontinued the Y370 14". I really need to go 16" now.
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'90 Little Blue Truck, 2WD auto, FAS GenV 2.0 NA (AVH)

[atomatom]

what an overwhelming decision. i just went with the nokian wr c3 - LT195/60R16 99T. $192 each, and will end up costing nearly $1000 canuck bucks for 4 including tax/mounting/balancing from kaltire. not much other choice up here to buy nokians from what i could tell.

but these seem like a good fit for the PNW climate and keep to the original diameter so my 1.9 still has power up hills.

update: and here is a pic. these are on 16" merc steel wheels. some more road noise, but not too bad.

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84 Vanagon Westy, 1.9L, California raised but defected to Canada.

[Slimvest]

atomatom, I think you made the right choice. I've had "All Weather" Nokians on my two other cars (Honda Fit and Subaru) and they're great tires. Had a set of their Entyre on my van for a couple years and they were also good, but i fell victim to "offroad envy" and got a set of 205/75/15 General Grabber AT2. They're okay, IMO, but too soft for me and the climbing power loss is very noticeable. 20k miles on them at this point, maybe. I'm going to get a set of those WRC3 in 15" eventually. Get closer to stock diameter too. Oversized is overrated.

EDIT: just called my local Nokian dealer and he says the C3 is a winter tire only. True? Thought it was an all-weather similar to the WRG3. What kind of life are people getting?
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'87 GL w/ Reimo top