Nokian WRC3

[ThankYouJerry]

Thanks for that Doug. So for the new WRC3 here are the available 15" options (there are also several 16" options) that might work well with Vanagons:

205/70/15
Load Index - 106/104
Speed Rating - S
Ply Rating - D/8PR
Max Single Load - 2090 lbs
Overall Diameter - 26.3"

215/65/15
Load Index - 104/102
Speed Rating - T
Ply Rating - C/6PR *This is the only one with a C instead of D rating
Max Single Load - 2000 lbs
Overall Diameter - 26.0"

215/70/15
Load Index - 109/107
Speed Rating - S
Ply Rating - D/8PR
Max Single Load - 2270
Overall Diameter - 26.9"

I found this info at tires-easy.com, but I know Van Cafe sells them and that's who will get my $ when the time comes.

I'm trying to determine which size will best suit my Westy - 1.8T engine + auto trans with a 3.27 R&P.

I reached out to Stephan and he said...I would go with the larger 26.9" tire. 215/70r15. You will loose RPM on the freeway but power should be about the same. The 205's are 26.3" tall which are close to the 215's you are running now which are 26" tall. So you gain about an inch with the 215/70's. Most are now running 16" tires. Myself I like the 15" as the sidewalls are taller thus a smoother ride. Even still most of our customers are running the 215/65r16 size which are right at 26.2" tall.

I also reached out to Salim at CHC and he said... As for tires and rims I would keep the 215/65/15 or go with 205/65/15s. You can go up one size without affecting the speedometer and affecting your MPG. If you go taller tires your gas mileage will be affected and the stress on the your drivetrain will increase. Go to page 19 on this forum:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...;start=360

Hans from Vanaru did a write up about larger tires. He explains why
taller tires are a bad idea. I have 205/65/15 C rated. I am getting
19 to 20 MPG. I had 215/75/15s. I hated them because my gas mileage dropped to 14 to 15 MPG. You want to keep close to the stock diameter.


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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[danfromsyr]

it's a universal truth that increasing tire diameter increases drivetrain (engine) load.. equivalent to always driving up a hill (or a mountain bike in just the wrong gear). that you lose more unless you make a change to gearing to suit the motor/gearing/tire combination
and while the 1.8T has plenty of power available from the turbo (which loves load like crack) it pulls more fuel, keeps you in boost and makes that little demon glow red in the engine compartment longer.

let me tell those who are afraid of MPG from higher rpms (where gearing load is easier overcome) on one trip I blew up 4th gear 300mi ~5hrs from home..
turned around and came home in 3rd gear, 300mi ~6hrs at ~60mph.
yes fuel economy went down from 300mi of ~5ooo rpms but not that much. as there was never any real load (work) called upon the motor.. the consumption is just pedalling in stride (like a cyclist in the back of a line cyclists).

that being I said I like the 205/70/15 as an all around general ride height tire for the vanagon with engine or trans upgrade.. and the 205/65/15 for stock powered vans.
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[Jon_slider]

[jberger]

Jon's point of the directional tread and lack of cross rotation has me pulling back on the reigns.. Those larger lugs will wear more on the trailing face on the front tires. Being able to cross rotate extend the life of the tire significantly. Back to the drawing board.

[Jon_slider]

[jberger]

[Jon_slider]

[ThankYouJerry]

* Jon - You typed "205x65x15" above where I think you meant to type "215x65x15". I changed it below where I quoted you.

[Jon_slider]

[ThankYouJerry]

My bad. I didn't even consider a "205/65/15" was available with the WRC3 (which it is!). According to tires-easy.com it has a 25.5" diameter. That's not ideal even for a stock WBX Westy. The 215/65/15 is 26.0" and the 205/70/15 is 26.3".
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[IdahoDoug]

I was just at Van Cafe's store in Santa Cruz a week ago and they had sweet looking stacks of ready to ship new tires and new wheels. I nearly pulled out my wallet just at the sweet smell of fresh new rubber. Intoxicating....
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[Steve M.]

[ThankYouJerry]

[ThankYouJerry]

Initial impressions after a few days:

I just switched from a set of Nokian WRG2 215/65/15 "C" rated tires to a set of Nokian WRC3 205/70/15 "D" rated tires. The new WRC3s have a noticeably stiffer sidewall despite having a taller aspect ratio (sidewall). They don't remotely wobble/squish when I shake the van side-to-side like the WRG2s did and they are also noticably quieter and ride more comfortably! It was obvious within the first mile of driving. I guess you can have your cake and eat it too. Wish I had made this change years ago.

I thought the WRG2 215/65/15s were "really good" tires for the 3+ years I had them, but in comparison, the WRC3 205/70/15s are "great".

Will report back after much more time behind the wheel with the WRC3s, but so far... very impressed!
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[jimf909]

Thanks for the home work and update. I run 215/60 R16 WRG3s and am very pleased with them. They are quiet, smooth and the van handles cross winds and lane changes very well with a high-top.

Your review puts the D rated, 8-ply C3s at the top of my list as a replacement. Now I just have to put a few more miles on these!
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- Jim

[Sherrinonie]

Just wanted to add an update of my experience with the WRC3's. So far we've loved them. They handle great in rain and on dirt roads. They are a little louder than the original Defender Michelin tires but still satisfied at this point.

[jimf909]

Hey y'all,

It's time to replace the Nokian WRG3s (215/60 R16) on my van. This is the second set I've had and I like them a lot: quiet, stable, good traction in snow, etc. The only drawback is relatively short life which I don't mind too much because it allows me to try new tires .

I'm inclined to replace them with WRC3s in the 215/65 R16 size.

I'm interested in hearing any updates or additional insights on the WRC3 tire and welcome any thoughts you wish to share.

Thanks.
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- Jim

[ThankYouJerry]

Several thousand miles on my WRC3s now. Couldn't be happier. Same thoughts as my initial post above and I'll also add... much better traction on gravel roads than my previous set of WRG2s. Haven't had any experience with the WRC3s in wet weather yet as I got them earlier this summer and it hasn't rained here in CA.
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[termuehlen]

I put 205/65-16 WRC3's on the 2wd Westy early in March. I was really impressed that they were not significantly louder than the Contitracs that they replaced. I really like these tires for ride quality, dry and wet handling. I don't have any feedback on tread life or winter traction yet. But I think they are the best true all-season tires available for a Vanagon right now. I was so happy with them, that I bought a set of 205/65-15 WRC3's and steel wheels for the Syncro.
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1988 Westfalia automatic Subaru OBD1
1986 syncro tintop wbx

[jimf909]

Thanks for the replies above.

Edited: I'll update this if I find the 215/65 R16 size available. I wasn't having any luck finding that size.
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- Jim