Also remember it is acceptable for the sidewall bulge to extend out further than the wheel arch, it is only the tread and the metal rim itself that has to be within the confines of the arch.

Quote from: HUDGE BUGGY on September 05, 2018, 03:46:03 PM
Just an idea for the fronts   

https://www.tyresdirectuk.co.uk/product/malatesta-m35-165-70r14-81q-165-70-r14-81q-n-a-n-a-n-a/

Have a feeling they are not road legal just special stage tyres but remoulds are best avoided in my opinion.

In the days of quality remoulds I always chose them to the front as they were a much softer compound and gripped really well. I didn't even know that any were still available. Colways were really good.

Are remoulds the same as retreads ?? Malatesta are Italian and are used all over Europe, cannot see why they should not be road legal in the UK.

JUst an update   Malatesta are "E" marked

Malatesta
A strong player in the tyre manufacturing industry. Malatesta Pneumatici began in 1946 in Rome, Italy, repairing tyres then later on moved into manufacturing retread tyres. Since then, the company has grown significantly. Operating as a family-run company, focuses their efforts on retreading tyres for 4x4s, Cars, Forklifts, Rally/Auto-cross and Winter Tyres.
Using upto 80% of a used tyre to create their own, Malatesta tyres are a great, economic, environmentally-friendly alternative to new tyres. And as a TUV approved company (by the German Ministry of Transport) with a high focus on manufacturing tyres to a high safety level (according to ECE) and E marked for European roads. Malatesta Pneumatici are a first-rate choice for high quality retread tyres.

Now't wrong with good remoulds, I had a tour of the Dunlop truck remould plant once, very impressive.

Was going by their fitment Offroad and Motorsport with no performance rating as they should say summer winter or all season and give noise and economy ratings as per EU directives. My old rear winter tyres were Conway remoulds as they came very cheap but cracking meant they ended up at the tip.

It must be something with rubber these days, there's been trouble with Coopers and Colways, I've just had 2 x 3 yr old Pirellis fail an Mot  because of cracking but the 20yr old Generals and Dunlops  on my buggy are perfect.

Quote from: snoopy on September 05, 2018, 05:15:16 PM

Quote from: HUDGE BUGGY on September 05, 2018, 03:46:03 PM
Just an idea for the fronts   

https://www.tyresdirectuk.co.uk/product/malatesta-m35-165-70r14-81q-165-70-r14-81q-n-a-n-a-n-a/

Have a feeling they are not road legal just special stage tyres but remoulds are best avoided in my opinion.

Yeah, they're meant to compete with Fedima and Insa green/red spot competition tyres.

Just an update - cant quite figure then if the 215/70/14 are going to be a problem for the front in terms of height.  3.2 inch difference in terms of what I have now, but it does look like the clearance is pretty reasonable, and the 3.2 woudl be distributed top and bottom.

What are peoples thoughts on this?

thanks

Quote from: Andy_h_vw on September 08, 2018, 09:33:24 PM
Just an update - cant quite figure then if the 215/70/14 are going to be a problem for the front in terms of height.  3.2 inch difference in terms of what I have now, but it does look like the clearance is pretty reasonable, and the 3.2 woudl be distributed top and bottom.

What are peoples thoughts on this?

thanks

Don't forget your speedo will be out. It'll be under- reading. 195/70x14 would be better.

Ordered...

Front:
2x SUMMER TYRES Uniroyal RainExpert 195/60 R14 86H
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/123337928302

Rear:
2x SUMMER TYRES Cooper Cobra Radial G/T 255/70 R15 108T RWL WL M+S
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/123337928302

Should have been £324.80 , but as EBAY has a voucher code on at the moment comes down to 276.08

I decided in the end that I would be better off not risking the clearance at the front trying to get the cooper radials there too.  I woudl be pretty annoyed if they didnt fit or if they rubbed the headlight bowl area.  I also decided that safety first and a decent softer compound for stopping at the front would be sensible.

Thanks all!!!

Now the  final stupid question is... Looking to get new wheel bolts, are they all standard size?

As standard, 5 bolt wheels take M12 x 1.5 bolts and 4 bolt wheels take M14 x 1.5 bolts. Make sure you buy proper bolts with the correct taper, if you want chrome, standard bolts with push-on chrome plastic covers work best.

https://www.justkampers.com/air-cooled-vw-parts/vw-beetle-parts/wheels-alloy-wheels-tyres-hubcaps/wheel-bolts-nuts.html

Quote from: Manxdavid on September 04, 2018, 10:46:57 PM
I wouldn't put anything narrower than a 255/70 or preferably a 275/60 tyre on an 8 inch rim. Anything else would look anorexic IMHO esp on something with fat arches like a Manta Ray.

i have a 275 60 15 on the rear of my manta ray and sits well, wide enough but not protruding too far out. I have 195 55 14 on front on a six inch rim but would like to put a wider tyre on that wheel as looks a bit under tyred on front. How wide a tyre could i go to ? Any suggestions. Good luck with yr search👍

Quote from: Manxstu on September 05, 2018, 03:49:29 PM
It doesn't hurt for the tyres to stick out past the arches! It comes in handy when the kids want to get in the back!

cracking picture stu, you seem younger than i remember 🤣, must hook up for an " oranges and lemon run before it gets too autumnal . 👍