75 Super Beetle Convertible TIRES - Max size?

[tcartner]

Hi folks,
I'm happy to be part of this forum. I just picked up a swanky '75 Super Conv with a spankin' new engine rebuild, brakes, etc. Rides very nice, but the tires are looking old. So, after much searching on here I still have questions.
Let me start by saying that I have stock rims. It seems the stock tires for this car were 155SR15. Those are pretty thin. I'm not a die hard "classic look" person and want to get the best performance tire for this car, which means a wider tire and better tread pattern than the thin 155SR15. Many recommend 165/80R15, and there is a larger variety from various manufacturers. But, the question is, can I actually go even wider with the tire, maybe 195 on this rim and not hit the stock fender wells? I've read that the convertible sits lower in the back than the sedan, for example, so less room in the rear fender wells for a wider tire. Has anyone done a definitive write up on this? If so, I can't find it. Please help.
Thanks,
T-

[Matt Wilson]

The best 'performance' for a daily driver with stock suspension driven on roads would be a stock tire size, with the proper inflation.

If you want a big rear tire you could safely go 185 or 195 I would think, without rubbing too much. Keep in mind if you change to a wider front tire, the steering may be limited.
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1972 Standard Beetle
1969 Baja Beetle
2005 Passat TDI (sold)

[Boble]

My 1976 convertible, sold in the German market, came from the factory with 175 tires and 5.5 inch ET34 rims. 155 with 4.5 rims was for the lower end beetles here in Europe at that time.

Anyways, I have tried wider tires on the car but changed back to 175. It behaves far better with those, I would recommend it.

Not sure how to describe the feeling with wider tires, it tends to be oversteering and "climb", if you see what I mean. Lots of opinions on this, I guess.

I can only speak for myself, but when I chose wider tires it was for the looks. Glad I changed back to the originals, it drives better.

[tcartner]

Boble,
Thanks for the input. Can you tell me the other numbers on the tire?

175 (80?) (15?)

I'm still reading and forming an opinion. Anyone else with a stock super beetle willing to chime in?

[Beeble1]

[Glenn]

The rim width is a limiting factor. On a 4.5" wide rim a 165-15 is about as big as you can go. if you want to push it then a 175/70-15 can get put on.

If you get 5.5" rims than you open things up. I have 5.5x15 Porsche alloys and run 195/55-15 front and 205/60-15 rear.

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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Cast Iron and Aluminum distributors rebuilt since 2000.

[Tvättbjörn]

With a stock engine I would not go larger than 175 tires. 165 tires on 5-1/2 rims looks fat / big too and keeps your MPG good.

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[Boble]

[FlyAU98]

I just put on a set of Nexen SB802 tires, 165/80R15.

Made in Korea. Seem to be nice quality, ride well, look good.

Discount Tire was able to order them for me (they don't show on the web site).

I previously had a mixed set of Nexen and Nankang tires on it that were also aged. My spare was a Continental from 1974 or so. 165/80s wouldn't fit in my spare tire well (the nankangs probably would have with less air in them), so I bought a smaller BF Gooodrich 155/80R15 that fit.

There aren't many other options in the near-stock size...and most of them are China-imports.

I'm happy and considering a set of Nexens for my other car now..
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1972 Super Beetle

[Lemons 4 Gigi]

I don't know about MAX, but I love the 165 R15 BFG Silvertown radials. A classic look that never goes out of style IMO.

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1971 Super Convertible "Gigi", Lemon Yellow
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T "Jezzy", 440, 4-spd, pLuM cRaZy!
A couple of Jeeps..

[Matt Wilson]