GermanLook Forums  

Go Back   GermanLook Forums > Technical Section > Wheels

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old January 31st 2010, 05:46
giraffeinbath's Avatar
giraffeinbath giraffeinbath is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Bath, UK
Posts: 11
What is the optimum width wheel / tyre on a 1302?

Hi, this is my first thread on here so hello to all

This question may seem a little too simplistic but I'm contemplating what route I may go down with wheels and I thought the starting point should be understanding what size would work best before getting into the technicalities (and difficulties!) of making a chosen wheel fit.

So.....with the clearance and fitment issues aside, is it possible to have wheels / tyres which would be too wide on a 1302s bug?

ie, is it possible to get to the point at which fitting wider wheels / tyres is actually detrimental to the handling of the car, and if so what would the optimum width be?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old January 31st 2010, 21:23
STIDUB STIDUB is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Australia - Queensland - Brisbane
Posts: 87
all depends heavily on your suspension & brake setup really, but most seem to run around 7" wide, ive got a choice of a few between 15x7 & 17x8 on mine so will see what works & what doesnt for myself when its up & running
__________________
1971 Superbeetle, stripping the old stuff, getting ready for paint, then bolting on all my goodies, sorting problems by ones self is a challenge it seems, any GL beetle people in Brisbane say hi!
Its been 3yrs since i drove my dub
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old February 1st 2010, 04:59
evilC's Avatar
evilC evilC is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: UK Where Leics is more
Posts: 644
It very much depends on the rest of the spec. There is always a tendance to over tyre any vehicle and very often the choice is little more than based on aesthetics. Some years ago there was a magazine article in the UK comparing the quickness of a 'S' model Ford Fiesta on the 'wide' 185/60x13 and the 'narrow' 155x13. The narrow tyres were significantly quicker on a long twisty section of road - it was a case of too much tyre scrubbing off speed.

The general rules(ish) that I apply is 155 width for standard power, 195 width for 100bhp, 205 for 150bhp and 225 for above that. Of course this is all modified when you are looking at front or rear on a bug and valso the tyre performance. A tyre built for economy will require a wider width that a sticky performance tyre to acheive similar grip levels.

Clive
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old February 3rd 2010, 14:45
giraffeinbath's Avatar
giraffeinbath giraffeinbath is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Bath, UK
Posts: 11
Quote:
Originally Posted by evilC View Post
The general rules(ish) that I apply is 155 width for standard power, 195 width for 100bhp, 205 for 150bhp and 225 for above that. Of course this is all modified when you are looking at front or rear on a bug and valso the tyre performance. A tyre built for economy will require a wider width that a sticky performance tyre to acheive similar grip levels.

Clive
Cool, that makes sense.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old February 3rd 2010, 18:04
volkdent's Avatar
volkdent volkdent is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Posts: 1,685
Quote:
Originally Posted by evilC View Post
It very much depends on the rest of the spec. There is always a tendance to over tyre any vehicle and very often the choice is little more than based on aesthetics. Some years ago there was a magazine article in the UK comparing the quickness of a 'S' model Ford Fiesta on the 'wide' 185/60x13 and the 'narrow' 155x13. The narrow tyres were significantly quicker on a long twisty section of road - it was a case of too much tyre scrubbing off speed.

The general rules(ish) that I apply is 155 width for standard power, 195 width for 100bhp, 205 for 150bhp and 225 for above that. Of course this is all modified when you are looking at front or rear on a bug and valso the tyre performance. A tyre built for economy will require a wider width that a sticky performance tyre to acheive similar grip levels.

Clive
Excellent reply!

Jason
__________________
If I could just get paid for my sleepless nights....
1960 VW Bug UBRDUB
Walkaround
1st Drag Run

Dyno Run
Oval Ragster-'57 Rag/'04 Boxster S
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old February 4th 2010, 09:58
evilC's Avatar
evilC evilC is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: UK Where Leics is more
Posts: 644
Quote:
Originally Posted by volkdent View Post
Excellent reply!

Jason
Thank you Jason. Its the politican in me that manages to say a lot but little of real substance and nothing that you are liable for later!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old February 4th 2010, 17:14
Steve C's Avatar
Steve C Steve C is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 1,757
Hi

Great reply as usual Clive, to me its about the look as well, so 7x17s with 215/45s are maybe too much for my daily/sons car, but I like the look.

Steve
Attached Images
File Type: jpg VW (2).jpg (80.8 KB, 38 views)
__________________
STI powered 1303 in the works.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
1302, 1302s, beetle, tyre, wheel


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 14:29.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
© www.GermanLook.net 2002-2017. All Rights Reserved