Aircooled VW South Africa

I'm busy rebuilding a bug and want to switch to alloy rims (4 bolt 100 PCD) because :
* the old Marie biscuits are getting harder and harder to find
* I'm looking for better road handling and looks.
* I'm switching to Golf GTI disc brakes (front and rear)

What I'm battling to do is find a rim and tyre combo that gives the same or larger rolling circumference as the old 165/80R15s without using very wide or expensive tyres.
It seems that most of the new tyres have very low profiles which in most cases makes the diameter smaller than stock diameter even when going to a 17 inch rim! Example : A 205/40R17 has a diameter of 596mm which is more than 7% smaller than the stock 165/80R15s (645mm).
16 inch rims and tyres seem to be a bit scarce so I'll rather go for 15s or 17s.

I don't feel any need to go for anything wider than about 195mm but in order to get a similar diameter I need a 195/70R15 which isn't a very popular size.
If I switch to a 17 inch rim the widths go up and the profiles come down and I don't want to stick Ferrari tyres on my bug due to the cost of the tyres as well as the increase in fuel consumption.

Any suggestions?

You need 195/60/15, and can get Yokohama or Michelin atm.

195 /65 's are about the closest 'cheap' high volume tyre you will be able to get (R500 each). On the bussses we are fitting 195/80 but they have a 4x4 type tread (R800 each).

Run this...

http://www.aircooledvwsa.co.za/media/WIELE.EXE

Eben you showoff.

hahah ... i can't even remember what the standard tyre aspect ratio is... i think it was 75 .....

PS the last label "speed" will be true speed when indicating 120kph

eben wrote:PS the last label "speed" will be true speed when indicating 120kph

Well that's of F* all help to us bus drivers.

If your vehicle cant go over 60 anyway then you dont need it

brianj wrote:195 /65 's are about the closest 'cheap' high volume tyre you will be able to get (R500 each). On the bussses we are fitting 195/80 but they have a 4x4 type tread (R800 each).

Wow! Quick response.

Thanks Brian - that's the sort of info I need.

Now if only the Gene Berg 5 speed actually lengthened the ratios instead of shortening the first 4 ...
I guess my poor engine will have to live with 3600 RPM @ 120 km/h.

For the GB5 you can get any ratio your heart desires
On stock 4sp you can fit longer 4th

On Ebens calculator my 265/35/18 are .01 out from dtock175/60/14

I use a 215/65r15 on the rear and is 0.01 out..

yes, 215/65 is a good option for a bug... wont fit on under a bus fender, though..... my view was biased.

Bugger wrote:For the GB5 you can get any ratio your heart desires
On stock 4sp you can fit longer 4th

I didn't know that - maybe I'll do that when I can afford to.

Ya they dont come cheap

Changing profiles to fit much cheeper