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.
Yes, this fits your Jaguar Mk2. 185R15 is the original size on the 1959-1967 Jaguar Mk2.
The sticker inside the driver's door is still the final word, because trim and wheel package can change the size. Back to every Jaguar Mk2 size.
What 185R15 tires cost
Haida HD517
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 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. A set of four in the mid range comes to roughly $460 to $580, 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 185R15 tire in stock at SimpleTire
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. On price there are two different markets in this one size. A plain modern radial such as the Haida HD517 starts near $57 per tire and fits the car perfectly well; the period-correct tires above start at roughly twice that. Pay the difference only if the look or a judged class calls for it.
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 $55–$75 per tire for a budget brand, $115–$145 for a mid-range tire like the Vredestein Sprint Classic, and $195–$310 for a premium tire like the Michelin XWX. A set of four therefore starts at about $220. 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 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 XWX is worth the extra. On a tight budget the Haida HD517 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.