165R15 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 165R15, a compact cars size fitted to Volkswagen Beetle, Porsche 911, Porsche 914 and more.
What 165R15 tires cost
Continental Contact CT22
Lowest price that still brakes and wears acceptably. Fine for a second car or low annual mileage.
Vredestein Sprint Classic
The value sweet spot: long mileage warranty, solid wet grip, sane price.
Michelin XAS
Best wet and snow braking, quietest ride, longest tread life. Worth it if you keep the car.
Prices are per tire, before mounting and balancing, based on what the big US online retailers charge for this size. A set of four in the mid range comes to roughly $500 to $660, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.
About the 165R15 size
Full-profile 165R15 (165/80R15) is the European classic size: 165HR15 was the factory radial on early short-wheelbase 911s, the 914, the TR6 and the big Healey, replacing 5.90-15 or 6.00-15 crossply. The period-correct choices are real products you can still buy new: Michelin XAS with its asymmetric tread, Pirelli Cinturato CA67, Vredestein Sprint Classic, usually H-rated at 130 mph which matches or beats the original. Whitewall and bias-ply reproductions exist from Coker if the car is judged. The load caveat matters: 165R15 is good for roughly 1200 lb per tire, fine on a Super Beetle or a TR6, marginal on a fully loaded split-window bus, where the reinforced 185R15 C is the safer answer.
The numbers mean: 165 mm section width, sidewall height 80 % of that width, and a 15-inch rim. Overall diameter works out to about 25.4 inches. Any replacement has to match all three, and the load index and speed rating on your door sticker must be met or exceeded. Our guide on reading a tire size walks through it.
Vehicles that use 165R15
- Volkswagen Beetle (1971-1979, Super Beetle)
- Porsche 911 (1965-1973, 165HR15)
- Porsche 914 (1970-1976)
- Triumph TR6 (1969-1976)
- Austin-Healey 3000 (1959-1967)
- Volvo P1800 (1961-1973)
- Volvo 122 Amazon (1961-1970)
- Volvo 140 Series (1967-1974, 142/144/145)
Confirm on the door-jamb sticker before ordering. Optional wheel packages often change the size within the same model.
Which type of 165R15 tire?
All-Season Tires
Drivers in the South, West Coast and mild parts of the Midwest who want one set of tires that lasts a long time and is quiet.
All-Weather Tires
Drivers in snow-belt states who want one set of tires with proven snow traction and no seasonal swap.
Winter Tires
Anyone in the northern US, Canada-border states or mountain regions where snow and ice are on the roads for weeks at a time.
Frequently asked questions
How much do 165R15 tires cost?
Expect $100–$120 per tire for a budget brand, $125–$165 for a mid-range tire like the Vredestein Sprint Classic, and $170–$270 for a premium tire like the Michelin XAS. Add roughly $15 to $45 per tire for mounting and balancing.
What vehicles use 165R15 tires?
165R15 is original equipment on Volkswagen Beetle (1971-1979, Super Beetle), Porsche 911 (1965-1973, 165HR15), Porsche 914 (1970-1976), Triumph TR6 (1969-1976), Austin-Healey 3000 (1959-1967), Volvo P1800 (1961-1973), Volvo 122 Amazon (1961-1970) and Volvo 140 Series (1967-1974, 142/144/145), among others. Always confirm with the sticker inside your driver's door, because trim levels and wheel packages can change the size.
What is the best 165R15 tire?
For most drivers our mid-range pick, the Vredestein Sprint Classic, is the sweet spot of price and tread life. If you keep the vehicle a long time or drive in heavy rain and snow, the Michelin XAS is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Continental Contact CT22 is a sound choice.
Can I replace just one or two 165R15 tires?
On a front- or rear-wheel-drive car, yes: replace in pairs on the same axle and put the newer pair on the rear. On all-wheel-drive vehicles most makers want all four replaced together, or a new tire shaved to match, because a difference in circumference strains the drivetrain.