165R15 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 165R15, a common size on compact cars. It fits the Volkswagen Beetle, Porsche 911, Porsche 914 and more.
Yes, this fits your Volkswagen Beetle. 165R15 is the original size on the 1971-1979 Volkswagen Beetle.
The sticker inside the driver's door is still the final word, because trim and wheel package can change the size. Back to every Volkswagen Beetle size.
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
The strongest wet and snow braking and the longest tread life among what is stocked in this size. Worth it if you keep the car.
Prices are per tire, before mounting and balancing. 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.
This size is not in our retailer's product feed, so these are typical ranges across the US online sellers, checked by hand rather than pulled live. Treat them as a guide to what is reasonable, and let the button below show what the size actually costs today.
See every 165R15 tire in stock at SimpleTire
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. Note on price: this is a legacy European size made in small volumes on old molds, so even the cheapest new tire costs more than a modern 15 inch touring tire. There is no real budget tier here.
What the numbers on the sidewall mean
A 165R15 tire is 165 millimeters wide, its sidewall is 80 percent of that (about 5.2 inches tall), and it mounts on a 15-inch wheel. That works out to an overall diameter of roughly 25.4 inches. Every replacement has to match all three numbers, and the load index and speed rating on the placard inside the driver's door have to be met or exceeded.
Our guide on reading a tire size walks through the markings, and this one lists every load index and speed code.
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)
Other years and wheel packages of the same models came on 245/35R20, 235/40R19 or 235/40R18 instead, so read the placard inside the driver's door before you order.
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. A set of four therefore starts at about $400. 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.