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jarmchairpilot
Samba Member
Joined: March 04, 2013
Posts: 459
Location: GALWAY,IRELAND
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 Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 4:03 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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Good call on the Michelin tires.
They are expensive , top of the range tires even if you live in Europe like I do, here in Ireland.
They are always in the top 3 of pretty much all Group tyre test conducted by professional bodies and are standard equipment for many new cars that are not in the Economy sector.
Good tires that cost good 💰 are above the rest because they are good in the wet And good in the dry.
Cheap tires tend to be just fine on a dry road in general. However they can be lethal on a wet road.
Good tires can save your life.
Cheap tires can end your life and/or someone else's.
Btw , my daily driver 1200 standard bug for the last 12 years. doesn't have Michelin's, I have
Falken. tires and they are probably 95per cent as good as Michelin's but cost about 40 per cent less. The choice is yours.
If I had a more powerful bug I would splash out for the Michelin's for sure. |
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sb001
Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011
Posts: 10406
Location: NW Arkansas
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| Posted: Fri May 08, 2020 6:30 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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| jarmchairpilot wrote: |
Good tires that cost good 💰 are above the rest because they are good in the wet And good in the dry.
Cheap tires tend to be just fine on a dry road in general. However they can be lethal on a wet road.
Good tires can save your life.
Cheap tires can end your life and/or someone else's.
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This is a naive blanket statement that needs to be taken with a huge grain of salt. More expensive. big name brand does not always equate to longer lasting or safer.
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I'm the humblest guy on this board.
1969 autostick sedan, family owned since new
1600 SP engine
Solex 30 PICT 3 carburetor
Bosch 113905205AE autostick distributor |
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themrfreeze
Samba Member
Joined: June 29, 2018
Posts: 62
Location: Rochester NY
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| Posted: Sat May 09, 2020 1:14 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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| creative native wrote: |
| I began searching the local tire shops (which there are many here) and the only options that became available were brands I had never heard of, like Thunderer, General, Classic, etc. |
Just as a point of clarification, General Tire is most definitely NOT a non-name brand. They're part of Continental and they sell very nice tires for a reasonable price. All of the tires on our daily drivers (both summer and winter tires) are Generals and were made in either the US or Germany.
I looked on their website and from what I saw General Tire doesn't make a 165/15 tire that will fit a Beetle. If you saw something in a store that WOULD fit and had the name General on it, it must be some obscure Chinese brand or something. |
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creative native 
Samba Member
Joined: October 20, 2007
Posts: 1227
Location: WNC
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| Posted: Sat May 09, 2020 3:32 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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"I looked on their website and from what I saw General Tire doesn't make a 165/15 tire that will fit a Beetle. If you saw something in a store that WOULD fit and had the name General on it, it must be some obscure Chinese brand or something."
The General brand I was informed of is based in China.
I have family who use the quality General Grabber tires and I should have made that clarification. Thank you for pointing that out. |
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MuzzcoVW
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2018
Posts: 1462
Location: Westfield, MA.
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pgreensoup
Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2021
Posts: 14
Location: Washington
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| Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 10:38 am Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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Has anyone put "Confidence C3" 165/80R15 on their Super Beetle? This is the tire that Les Schwab wants to sell me for my 74 here in Washington. Would love to know if anyone has experience with these tires.
https://www.lesschwab.com/confidence-c3-113477326.html
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74 Super Beetle - Acquired in 2020
Total Noob - Thanks for your patience |
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Tim Donahoe
Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012
Posts: 11740
Location: Redding, CA
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| Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 1:46 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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The tread on the looks like my Nankang tires.
Tim
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Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
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67rustavenger
Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2015
Posts: 9759
Location: Oregon
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| Posted: Sat Feb 27, 2021 2:15 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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| pgreensoup wrote: |
Has anyone put "Confidence C3" 165/80R15 on their Super Beetle? This is the tire that Les Schwab wants to sell me for my 74 here in Washington. Would love to know if anyone has experience with these tires.
https://www.lesschwab.com/confidence-c3-113477326.html |
I have them on the front of my 67. Yeah I know you are asking about an SB.
They drive pretty good. To be honest, I haven't pushed them on a spirited drive, Yet!
On the rear, I have L.S. Reputations. Big fat things. So the car is a little out of balance. End to end. But the intent of my car is drive down the hiway. Or drive down the 1/4. Not really cornering hard these days.
Previously the car had Nankangs. Those tires gripped, very well during spirited driving.
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I have learned over the years.
Cheap parts are gonna disappoint you.
Buy Once, Cry Once!
There's never enough time to do it right the first time. But there's always enough time to do it thrice.
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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BenJAMin
Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004
Posts: 461
Location: Michigan
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| Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2021 7:51 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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| I get tires from Longstone in the UK, free shipping to the USA www.longstonetyres.co.uk |
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RBurn
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2016
Posts: 115
Location: Northern Ca
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| Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 4:04 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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Hello, the latest post is over a year ago... I looked over the 17 pages of posts and seen i believe 4 pictures of actual tires on a rim, and pictures of 3 cars if we are talking a picture where you can see the entire car and not a closeup of the tire. Of those 3 they were 175/80/15 and two cars with 165R15.
Ok, i'm hoping we can get some pictures of 10 feet or more showing the whole beetle. I'm hoping for 155R15 and 165R15 tires on Beetles.
I have a 67 beetle and most of the tire sites show a 155 as the tire and when i have 165-15 in it says no fit... but i know they do.
When i searched it seems these are still available.
165R15 nexen sb802
155 and 165R15 Vrdestein Sprint Classic
Michelin xzx 165sr15
BFGoodrich Radial T/A 155/80R15
I'm trying to get as stock looking as i can. i know all the conversions and 155 radial came were available back in the day. I'm leaning towards the 155 but need a few beetle picts to make the decision. If you purchased any of these tires or others and post a pict and share the experience on the tires it can be helpful to all.
Picts please!! 
thanks!
_________________
70 Karmann Ghia Vert
67 Beetle deluxe
62 Single Cab
70 T2 Model 221 *CARR FIRE Victim
70 T2 Model 231 *CARR FIRE Victim
Last edited by RBurn on Sun Apr 03, 2022 1:44 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 4:39 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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Vredestein Sprint Classic 155SR/15 on 1966 Beetle
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OldSchoolVW's
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2020
Posts: 690
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2022 7:35 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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This is my '69 with BFG Silvertown Radials (3/4" whitewalls) in 165/80-15.
They are pricey, but my research showed this was the correct look for the
'68 and '69 models. I bought them at Summit Racing back in November '21.
I'm using a Nexen blackwall (in the same size) as my spare. The spare tire well is definitely meant for a 155 or 165-15. I was unable to get the larger 165/80 into the well until I made a little modification ... fits snug now when properly inflated.
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Tom
"Following distance is proportional to IQ."
'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback |
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RBurn
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2016
Posts: 115
Location: Northern Ca
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| Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 2:04 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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| iowegian wrote: |
Vredestein Sprint Classic 155SR/15 on 1966 Beetle
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Excellant Picts, love the far and closer with wheel. Thanks!
I'm settled on the 155 size. i do see the Vredestein i'd have to order but it seems it's like $117 ea but shipping is free. Locally america's tire can get the BFGoodrich... about the same price. seems Vredestein is made in netherlands and BFGoodrich is most likely mexico (from 2019 source)
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70 Karmann Ghia Vert
67 Beetle deluxe
62 Single Cab
70 T2 Model 221 *CARR FIRE Victim
70 T2 Model 231 *CARR FIRE Victim |
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OldSchoolVW's
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2020
Posts: 690
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 3:50 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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The BFG Silvertown WW are made in Mexico. No issues with appearance or balancing them though.
The only thing I am aware of with regard to the Vredesteins is a caution about use in lower temperatures (< 40º F). I noticed you are in No. Cal so this probably won't be and issue for you unless you are at a higher altitude in winter.
You can go to this link at Coker Tire to see the info about lower temps:
https://www.cokertire.com/tires/155sr15-vredestein-sprint-blackwall-tire.html
BTW I noticed that they have the Firestone F560's in the 155R15 size as an alternative for $108:
https://www.cokertire.com/tires/155r15-firestone-f560-blackwall-tire.html
Let the good times roll! 
_________________
Tom
"Following distance is proportional to IQ."
'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback |
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OldSchoolVW's
Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2020
Posts: 690
Location: San Diego
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| Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 4:03 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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Forgot to mention Summit Racing. They have free shipping over $99, but charge an oversize fee ($9.99 per tire).
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/bfg-06462
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Tom
"Following distance is proportional to IQ."
'63 Beetle Sedan
'69 Beetle Sunroof
'70 Beetle Sedan
'73 Type 3 Fastback |
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iowegian
Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005
Posts: 9829
Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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| Posted: Sun Apr 03, 2022 4:49 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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One more close-up of the Vredestein 155 SR 15.
Notice the wheel weights?--------Yup, there are none. I bought the Sprint Classics from TireRack and had them mounted at a little shop who couldn't balance the wide fives. I figured I'd use balancing beads if I had to, but all the way to 80 mph they are smooooth as glass without balancing!
I have no intention of driving in the Winter, so that is not a concern. |
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RBurn
Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2016
Posts: 115
Location: Northern Ca
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2022 4:01 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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Ok had my rims painted with correct colors and went with P155 /80 R15 BF Goodrich radial ta. Americas Tires a local store had them in a day. Balanced with weights on inside. Rides beautifully and of course the spare fit nicely. Finally getting close to finishing this beetle.
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70 Karmann Ghia Vert
67 Beetle deluxe
62 Single Cab
70 T2 Model 221 *CARR FIRE Victim
70 T2 Model 231 *CARR FIRE Victim |
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Rome
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004
Posts: 9641
Location: Pearl River, NY
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| Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2022 3:08 am Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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| Your painted wheels and the 155's look great, RBurn! |
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kpf
Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2017
Posts: 852
Location: California, US
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| Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 2:42 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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Pirelli Cinturato CN 36 165vr15 on 4.5"-wide BRM wheels. 1971 Super Beetle. Stock suspension & brakes.
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1971 Super Beetle |
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radstude
Samba Member
Joined: January 29, 2005
Posts: 397
Location: Lynchburg Va.
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| Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: 165-SR 15 tires |
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That 71 is looking good!
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1967 VW Fastback (Past)
1971 VW Bug (Past)
1975 VW Bus (Past)
2002 VW Mexican Bug 1600i |
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