Tires

Hi, can anyone recommend the best performance tires (preferably suited for hot climate) for these wheel sizes in the US? 5.5"x15" and 7"x15" rims. I'm looking for stock VW profile (24" diameter), front and rear (not low profile). I would like the widest tires possible for these rim sizes, but am limited for clearance on the rear, and was thinking 225's would bulge out too much (and dont want the front tire profiles bulging only). Probably 185's front and 215's rear? Thanks, Otto

Several of us have had very good luck with Bridgestone Potenza RE960 AS Pole Position tires. Long name, but a great tire. I have those on my daily driver (215/50-17") and one fellow here just got them for his Speedster. I have Goodyear RS-As (185/60-15") on my Speedster and have also been very pleased with them.

I just had a set of 185/65-15 960s mounted on my 15x6 replica Fuchs.
I would have liked to have gone wider in the rear, but I don't have the room. Another decent tire that comes in Speedster friendly sizes is the Falken ZE 912
The stock tire diameter for a Beetle is around 25".
A 155/80-15 tire has 24.8" diameter.
A 185/65-15 tire has a slightly smaller diameter, at 24.5".
A 215/60-15 tire is a bit on the high side, with a diameter of 25.2"
A 205/60-15 (24.7" diameter) goes well with a 185/65-15 front tire, and is a very good fit for a 7" wide wheel.

I have the Bridgestones on my IM, 8x15 rear and 6x15 front. They work great.

Tomm

I have the Vredestein 165s', made in Holland. They ride much better than the Nankangs that came on the car.

you might want to think twice about goodyears - LOL

Given the apparent value of that car before the blow, I'd say the tire totaled it. Almost looks like that's what they had in mind ;-)

Otto - No pictures of your car - is it std body or wide body? Off set of rims plays big part to as do dropped spindle and rear disc (which tend to widen track 1/2" or so). I had to use a 1/4" spacer on front of mine to clear the disc caliper and tie rod ends - on std body with 2L 914 Alloys. (Have 3/8" now so billet center cap clears bearing cap).

Bill Webster,

I've run 185-15 Vredestein tires on British cars for years. 165 Vreds in my experience are premium tires, plus, on a speedster they just look right. To my eye anyway.

Hey thanks for everyones advise. This weekend I will check out the tire make/models you all suggested. I havent started building the car yet, but have accumulated many parts and want to get the remainder in the next month, so I can ship it from the US to Belize where I live and build it.

Its and standard body from Vintage. I have dropped spindles, Gear One disc brakes and a 2" narrowed beam on the front. From what I remember this brings it close to stock. On the rear I have IRS, with -1.5" per side narrowed trailing arms, Gear One disc brakes (+1.5" total), 7" mangel wheels (originally 5.5", widended 1.5" on the inside so this wont effect the offset). I think I was like 1/4" wider per side than stock, and given its IRS with wheels with an offset of 5.5 mangels, this is going to be tight (I have read IRS 5.5" rims just squeeze under the wheel arch), and I have an extra 1/4" per side, so 205 tires would probably be a safer choice than 215.