185R15 tires
Prices, best picks and current deals for 185R15, a performance cars size fitted to Jaguar E-Type, Jaguar Mk2, Volkswagen Type 2 Bus and more.
What 185R15 tires cost
Vredestein Sprint Classic
Lowest price that still brakes and wears acceptably. Fine for a second car or low annual mileage.
Pirelli Cinturato CN72
The value sweet spot: long mileage warranty, solid wet grip, sane price.
Michelin XWX
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 $580 to $760, and a brand rebate can take another $50 to $110 off, see this month's deals.
About the 185R15 size
185R15, sold as 185VR15 or 185/80R15, is the radial Jaguar itself approved to replace the 6.40-15 Dunlop RS5 crossply on the E-type, and it is the size the concours world uses. The three tires that matter are all current production for the classic market: Michelin XWX (V, the benchmark and the expensive one), Pirelli Cinturato CN72 and Vredestein Sprint Classic. Tread pattern matters as much as grip if the car is judged, because these are the patterns the cars were photographed on. There is no whitewall version and no reason to go back to bias. For a split-window Type 2 bus the same nominal size exists as a reinforced 185R15 C at load index 104, which is the correct tire for that vehicle rather than the Jaguar V-rated casing.
The numbers mean: 185 mm section width, sidewall height 80 % of that width, and a 15-inch rim. Overall diameter works out to about 26.7 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 185R15
- Jaguar E-Type (1961-1971, Series 1/2)
- Jaguar Mk2 (1959-1967)
- Volkswagen Type 2 Bus (1955-1967, T1 with C-load)
- Volvo 164 (1968-1975)
Confirm on the door-jamb sticker before ordering. Optional wheel packages often change the size within the same model.
Which type of 185R15 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.
Summer Tires
Sports-car and performance-sedan owners, and anyone in a warm climate who wants the best possible grip and steering.
Performance Tires
Owners of sports sedans, hot hatches and performance crossovers who want year-round tires with real handling.
Frequently asked questions
How much do 185R15 tires cost?
Expect $115–$140 per tire for a budget brand, $145–$190 for a mid-range tire like the Pirelli Cinturato CN72, and $195–$310 for a premium tire like the Michelin XWX. Add roughly $15 to $45 per tire for mounting and balancing.
What vehicles use 185R15 tires?
185R15 is original equipment on Jaguar E-Type (1961-1971, Series 1/2), Jaguar Mk2 (1959-1967), Volkswagen Type 2 Bus (1955-1967, T1 with C-load) and Volvo 164 (1968-1975), 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 185R15 tire?
For most drivers our mid-range pick, the Pirelli Cinturato CN72, 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 XWX is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Vredestein Sprint Classic is a sound choice.
Can I replace just one or two 185R15 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.