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stagewex Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2021 Posts: 163 Location: New Rochelle, New York
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Posted: Sat Nov 20, 2021 7:45 am Post subject: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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Posted my first in the Stupid Questions thread but have a definitive non-stupid answer if you happen to be in the market for a set of new tires right now.
First choice was the Michelin XZX165R15. Those are out of stock and not available from Coker until late Feb. 2022. 500 are expected in that delivery. Proprietory I suppose to Coker, TireRack does not sell or offer them at all.
Second choice based on rating and recommendations from other VW owners was the Vredestein Sprint Classic 165R15. TireRack does not have them in stock either with again, a Feb. 2022 shipment expected. That's gotta be some big cargo shipment from Europe on it's way on a slow boat!
But... Coker does have the Vred's, in fact 86 of them in their Chattanooga Warehouse as I write this. Hmmm, make that 82, minus the four (4) I just ordered.
Differences Speed Ratings:
Michelin (France) is an "S" rated tire= 112mph sustained speed.
Vredestein (Holland) is a "H" rated tire= 130mph sustained speed.
Differences Load Ratings:
Michelin (France) is 1168lbs. per tire, 4672 total load rating for all four.
Vredestein (Holland) is 1080lbs. per tire, 4320 total load rating for all four.
I found it interesting that the "H" rated Vred's had the higher speed rating yet had a lower load rating. Not sure if that's the same across the board with all tires of any make or size? In any case the speed rating is NA for me, my stock Beetle will never achieve these speeds and even if it could, I don't drive like that (I want to be able to STOP too). You have a true vintage Sports car like a Jag or TR6 or other older Euro auto perhaps that matters to you. Or if you are building some sort of modified Bug/Beetle.
Same with the load ratings. If I could get enough people and other crap in the car (plus the weight of the car itself)... definitely NA.
These were not the only tires that fit our cars not in stock, just the ones I was interested in. Perhaps has something to do with the Global supply problem though I'm not sure how much more you can blame on that and COVID. I get the "chips" for new cars, especially if you go down to you local new car dealers and see semi-empty lots of certain brands. But tires... I suppose it all trickles down?
Back to the Vreds and Coker, they have them, at least now. Cheers |
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FlyAU98 Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2020 Posts: 67 Location: Milton, FL
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2021 11:04 am Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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I've been real happy with the Nexen SB802 (165/80R15) tires I bought last year.
https://www.nexentireusa.com/tires/sb802
Made by our friends in Korea.
Well priced at around $80 each.
They did not fit in my '72 Super Beetle's spare tire well though. I thought they might be a little too big, so I only ordered 4 and test fit it...and ended up with the slightly smaller diameter BF Goodrich tire for the spare.
I don't intend on going 113MPH '' _________________ ======================
1972 Super Beetle |
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iowegian Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005 Posts: 9826 Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2021 11:21 am Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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Tire Rack is showing that they have Vredestein Sprint Classic 155 SR 15 in stock (165 out of stock).
I put a set of the 155s on my '66 a few months ago and they are a great tire. |
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stagewex Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2021 Posts: 163 Location: New Rochelle, New York
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2021 11:30 am Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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iowegian wrote: |
Tire Rack is showing that they have Vredestein Sprint Classic 155 SR 15 in stock (165 out of stock).
I put a set of the 155s on my '66 a few months ago and they are a great tire. |
Yes, I saw that. But for a '73 SB the size is 165R15 and they don't have them as you noted. Some time in Feb.
Glad to hear you are happy with them (the brand) though. Mine ship tomorrow and should be here by or before next weekend. Thanksgiving may delay. |
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modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26743 Location: Colorado Springs
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2021 3:38 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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I don't necessarily want to over complicate it but.... should include.... what size wheels you have. |
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iowegian Samba Curmudgeon
Joined: February 16, 2005 Posts: 9826 Location: Somewhere between Dubuque and Keokuk
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2021 6:51 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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modok wrote: |
I don't necessarily want to over complicate it but.... should include.... what size wheels you have. |
Mine are 15 inch. |
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modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26743 Location: Colorado Springs
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2021 9:12 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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?
....... get 4.5-5 wide in the front,5-5.5 in the rear.
ProContact TX 165/65 front, 185/65R15 rear
Last edited by modok on Sun Nov 21, 2021 9:22 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26743 Location: Colorado Springs
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Posted: Sun Nov 21, 2021 9:20 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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BF Goodrich Radial T/A comes in 155/80-15 which could fit OE 4" wheels.
Tho I'd not be excited about it, most of the vintage tires have vintage performance to match. |
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BenJAMin Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Michigan
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sb001 Samba Member
Joined: May 19, 2011 Posts: 10399 Location: NW Arkansas
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2021 1:59 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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modok wrote: |
?
....... get 4.5-5 wide in the front,5-5.5 in the rear.
ProContact TX 165/65 front, 185/65R15 rear |
Where can you get the Continentals in the 165/15 size?? Those would be my first choice but I have never been able to find them.
EDIT- sorry I see you said 165/65 not 165/15. _________________ 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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frenchroast Samba Member
Joined: October 13, 2019 Posts: 678
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Posted: Mon Nov 22, 2021 3:43 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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stagewex wrote: |
I found it interesting that the "H" rated Vred's had the higher speed rating yet had a lower load rating. Not sure if that's the same across the board with all tires of any make or size? In any case the speed rating is NA for me, my stock Beetle will never achieve these speeds and even if it could, I don't drive like that (I want to be able to STOP too). You have a true vintage Sports car like a Jag or TR6 or other older Euro auto perhaps that matters to you. Or if you are building some sort of modified Bug/Beetle. |
The higher speed/lower load rating could be because a higher speed increases heat/decreases load capacity. Not 100% sure how that is calculated though. I don't drive the bug fast or far so Nexens work just fine for me.
Off topic, on the jetta and bimmers, I like the Z rated michelin pilot sports not because I drive 150mph but because they're heavier duty (almost a full pound heavier) than the H rated version of the tire for about $15 more. I live in the west and 500-1000-2000 mile trips are routine and you spend a lot of time out in BFE; better tires are one thing to worry less about. I think between all the cars, I've gone through 5 or 6 sets of the pilot sports with zero problems except a puncture or two. |
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MuzzcoVW Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2018 Posts: 1417 Location: Westfield, MA.
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:19 am Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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sb001 wrote: |
modok wrote: |
?
....... get 4.5-5 wide in the front,5-5.5 in the rear.
ProContact TX 165/65 front, 185/65R15 rear |
Where can you get the Continentals in the 165/15 size?? Those would be my first choice but I have never been able to find them.
EDIT- sorry I see you said 165/65 not 165/15. |
They are for sale in Europe, the CT22 tire. 165/80/r15 I'm looking at a set myself and need to check on shipping costs. There's a company in Germany that offers them in the 10mm white stripe like was offered in the mid to late 70's. I'd love a set but they are $$$ Wish I could find someone stateside who could vulcanize them to a blackwall. |
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Jimbug57 Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2002 Posts: 817 Location: Mid Michigan
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 4:49 am Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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FlyAU98 wrote: |
I've been real happy with the Nexen SB802 (165/80R15) tires I bought last year.
https://www.nexentireusa.com/tires/sb802
Made by our friends in Korea.
Well priced at around $80 each.
They did not fit in my '72 Super Beetle's spare tire well though. I thought they might be a little too big, so I only ordered 4 and test fit it...and ended up with the slightly smaller diameter BF Goodrich tire for the spare.
I don't intend on going 113MPH '' |
I have the Nexens. Great tire. Going on 3 years with my daily driver and they still look great. Good in the rain and snow too. Evidently the plant in Korea is state of the art. _________________ Repeat after me "I am smarter than metal!" |
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MuzzcoVW Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2018 Posts: 1417 Location: Westfield, MA.
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2021 5:39 am Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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FlyAU98 wrote: |
I've been real happy with the Nexen SB802 (165/80R15) tires I bought last year.
https://www.nexentireusa.com/tires/sb802
Made by our friends in Korea.
Well priced at around $80 each.
They did not fit in my '72 Super Beetle's spare tire well though. I thought they might be a little too big, so I only ordered 4 and test fit it...and ended up with the slightly smaller diameter BF Goodrich tire for the spare.
I don't intend on going 113MPH '' |
I'm surprised they don't fit. My '75 super came with 6.0-15 bias plys. In my experience they are slightly taller than the 165r15s that I've seen. Any chance your car was hit at some point? |
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stagewex Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2021 Posts: 163 Location: New Rochelle, New York
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Posted: Thu Nov 25, 2021 8:40 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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The Vred's arrived yesterday. Had my local shop mount & balance them. 75 mile roundtrip to and from Thanksgiving Dinner. Very nice feel from the steering wheel to the tires. Figure 200+ miles to fully break them in.
The tread in person surprised me. Seemed less aggressive in the pictures. I think I'll be happy with these.
I only got four (4). I want to make sure they do fit in the spare tire location in the trunk before I swap out the old spare. Pretty sure they will since they seem to be the original size indicated for a '73 SB. And man... they really are pretty thin looking. But ya never know.
Hats Off to Coker Tire and the service tech (Chris) I spoke to over the phone. Guy had all the answers and the shipping was super fast. I've has the same experience with TireRack but alas... they just didn't have any of these tires (Michelins or the Vred's) in the size I needed.
Happy Thanksgiving y'all.
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stagewex Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2021 Posts: 163 Location: New Rochelle, New York
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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 3:21 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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I've got close to 200 miles on these Vredestein's now so kinda "broken-in" in my book.
Very nice if you like a tire and size actually designed for a stock beetle.
My bugs suspension and shocks need updating but not so much that I can't start pushing these a bit into the corners and turns.
Almost reminds me of a snow tire, but they are not:
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Starbucket Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2007 Posts: 4007 Location: WA
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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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What does the snowplow driver drive to work? a VW Beetle if he wants to get there, those would do fantastic in snow. |
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mukluk Samba Member
Joined: October 18, 2012 Posts: 6985 Location: Clyde, TX
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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 3:46 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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Starbucket wrote: |
What does the snowplow driver drive to work? a VW Beetle if he wants to get there, those would do fantastic in snow. |
Not sure I'd say fantastic, but they do well enough.
I have almost 34k miles on these tires so far in all types of driving and weather, really no complaints. _________________ 1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga" |
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sjbartnik Samba Member
Joined: September 01, 2011 Posts: 5986 Location: Brooklyn
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Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2021 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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I love the Vreds, very nice tire. Took 'em across the country and back in 2019, and they gave some nice sporty handling on U.S. 2 in Montana!
Very happy with them; will buy again when I wear the current set out. _________________ 1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650 |
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stagewex Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2021 Posts: 163 Location: New Rochelle, New York
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Posted: Wed Dec 01, 2021 11:34 am Post subject: Re: Tires and Availability Now in Fall 2021 |
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That's all good to hear. I have to admit that the only reason I ever even heard of this brand is because of owning a Beetle. And that's pretty darn recent.
Not at least for me, an off-the-shelf tire you'd see at your local tire store. |
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