155R15 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 155R15, a compact cars size fitted to Volkswagen Beetle, Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, Volkswagen Type 3 and more.
What 155R15 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 XZX
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 $480 to $640, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.
About the 155R15 size
The air-cooled Volkswagen size: every standard Beetle, Karmann Ghia and Type 3 left the factory on 5.60-15 crossply, and 155R15 (155/80R15, 24.8 in tall) is the radial the whole restoration world fits. Note there is no budget tier here at all. The cheapest new 155R15 costs more than a good modern 15 in touring tire because the volumes are tiny and every mold is a legacy mold; a set of four Michelin XZX runs past a thousand dollars. Whitewalls, wide and narrow, come from Coker Classic and Diamond Back, and genuine bias-ply 5.60-15 reproductions are sold by Coker and Firestone for judged cars. Load index is only 82-84 (about 1050 lb), which suits a 1800 lb Beetle and nothing heavier, and ratings are S or H.
The numbers mean: 155 mm section width, sidewall height 80 % of that width, and a 15-inch rim. Overall diameter works out to about 24.8 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 155R15
- Volkswagen Beetle (1955-1979)
- Volkswagen Karmann Ghia (1956-1974)
- Volkswagen Type 3 (1961-1973)
- Porsche 356 (1955-1965)
Confirm on the door-jamb sticker before ordering. Optional wheel packages often change the size within the same model.
Which type of 155R15 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 155R15 tires cost?
Expect $95–$115 per tire for a budget brand, $120–$160 for a mid-range tire like the Vredestein Sprint Classic, and $165–$260 for a premium tire like the Michelin XZX. Add roughly $15 to $45 per tire for mounting and balancing.
What vehicles use 155R15 tires?
155R15 is original equipment on Volkswagen Beetle (1955-1979), Volkswagen Karmann Ghia (1956-1974), Volkswagen Type 3 (1961-1973) and Porsche 356 (1955-1965), 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 155R15 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 XZX is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Continental Contact CT22 is a sound choice.
Can I replace just one or two 155R15 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.