Tires

Our '73 SB has slightly oversized tires -- the diameter is the same, but they are just a bit wider. They are 165x15; the standard size is 155x15 if I recall correctly. I like them -- I’ve always thought the standard VW tires were too narrow. The problem is, the spare tire won’t lay down flat in the spare tire well in the trunk. The tire binds up at the point where it has to slip just a little ways under the gas tank, so it sticks up a couple of inches in the front. It can’t need more than about another 1/4" of clearance. I could probably force it, but then we’d never get it out! I wondered it I would do any irreversible damage if I slipped a little hydraulic jack under there and tried to raise things up a bit.

I had the feeling they went to 165’s as normal in about ‘71, but I could be wrong. The Bentley Manual (p. 5 31) says "All models built before March 1972, including Karmann Ghias, are equipped with 5.60 x 15 tires. Those built after that date have 6.00 x 15 4 tires." (I don’t know what the "4" stands for.)

I jacked up the rear of the spare wheel well (under the gas tank) and pounded the front of the well out a bit so the spare wheel would fit. Now it will lay flat like it’s supposed to. It’s obvious that this car has been in a front-end collision at some point in it’s past -- the front apron and bumper are pushed in.

Of course -- the front ender -- I should have thought. When you said you had 165 tyres, I thought "and it DOESN'T fit???". It had been puzzling me a bit, so the distorted front end makes a lot of sense. Glad you got it flat where it should be!

I used to use Michelins exclusively. Excellent quality tires. Michelin MX4 worked very well. I switched to Firestones as my protest against the French nuclear testing in the Pacific a few years ago, and I have been quite pleased with these too. Not much of a protest really -- the Michelins lasted so long they didn't make much money out of me anyway. Won't know how long the Firestones last for several years yet, but they handle well. I really like to support local businesses if they provide a good quality service.

My Bug has OK tread on all but the spare (bald as a baby's bottom) but they are cheap chinese tyres, and the steering is noticeably heavier than I remember my other car. I'll wear these things out then look for something better.

I had to drop a wheel into a tyre dealer on the way to work - it's been leaking slowly for a week or so. Couldn't find a nail or anything, but I bet that's what it is, so will probably end up with a tube in it. It has cheap Chinese tyres on it (a mixture too) so I'll have to find some better ones when they wear out (which won't be long now). Michelin MX are about $130 each, so I don't think I'll be getting those, even though they are probably the best tyres for VWs (long lasting, great grip). Firestone don't sell the VW size here any more (my older Bug has 2 Firestones), but Kelly Springfield do (offshoot of Dunlop -- pricey here as they are made in the US), and then there's the Chinese and Korean brands - hmmmmm.

We have an excellent tire shop here where we buy all of our tires. They sell an excellent product and provide tremendous service. A good 60,000 mile steel-belted radial runs about $75 or so.

The cheapest I can buy decent beetle tyres is about $90Aus.

Do you run 18 psi in front and 28 psi in the rear in your Bug? I think that's what the spec is for our car.

I found 20 front and 28 rear gives the best combination of handling and mileage. With 18 front they tend to roll a little in corners and seem to wear just a little more on the outsides.