Front tyres - anyone use Nankangs?

[Neil Davies]

I've decided to use some of this enforced downtime to get my Beetle sorted, and having sat outside all winter, one of the things it needs is a new pair of front tyres. I don't have the inclination to spend a couple of hundred pounds on a pair of Michelin 145s that'll probably dry rot before they wear out, so I've been looking at the Nankang CX668. They're available from a few sellers on ebay and elsewhere, and the best price I've found so far is a few pence over £75 for a pair, which I think is pretty reasonable.
Anyone used these before? What are they like? For that price I could have a new pair every spring!

[glassback kid]

I have used them, they seem perfectly fine and grip is as what is expected from a skinny tyre, they seem to wear quite well ,
yeah the side wall is not as nice as a Michelin but it isn't to bad, plus mines not a show car so it doesn't bother me, for the price  I will be buying them again when I need a new pair.  Hope this helps

[Neil Davies]

That's pretty much what I wanted to hear! The choice seems to be them,  some secondhand Uniroyals on ebay, Michelins or Firestone F560.  I'll give them a go and see how I get on.

[leec]

I have them on my 63. I was gutted when Nankang stopped doing the N803 as that was a modern tyre with a good looking sidewall.
I too would love new XZX's but the price is just wrong when you consider what other car tyres cost

[Neil Davies]

Good to hear that you've got them too Lee. I managed to get some NOS xzx 145s many years ago, but they've rotted out. I won't use F560s any more, as they're made from granite and grip just as well, and the Kleber I found about 15 years ago I've never been able to match!

[leec]

As I say, performance wise I am happy with them. They just look too modern.
I've tried finding some N803's with no success

Lee

[brewsy]

I reckon this settles it Neil!!
https://nankangusa.com/passenger-tires/cx668/

(hoping their website isnt too customised but there is an image of a 1303 fitted with BRMs and Nankangs!)

[Torben Alstrup]

If you want to rely on a skinny 145 front tyre you would want the one with the best grip on the market, period! No matter the 50% extra price tag. I do not know which are the better in that size, but I would rather be able to stop in time or stay on the asphalt over a wrecked front end or worse the entire car, - or me.

  

[Martin S.]

I have Nankang 165s on the front and like them!
A worthy tread update and felt well built and solid which I noticed right away.
The best tires are the ones that are not old rubber, giving them a modern grippy feel while driving.

[Bryan67]

I have seen Nankang 205/70's that have the similar sidewalls. At least that way they would match...

[Neil Davies]

I reckon this settles it Neil!!
https://nankangusa.com/passenger-tires/cx668/

(hoping their website isnt too customised but there is an image of a 1303 fitted with BRMs and Nankangs!)

Good site, I'd not seen that one. Interesting that they'd used the '03 as the sole image of the tyres on a car.

If you want to rely on a skinny 145 front tyre you would want the one with the best grip on the market, period! No matter the 50% extra price tag. I do not know which are the better in that size, but I would rather be able to stop in time or stay on the asphalt over a wrecked front end or worse the entire car, - or me.

 

I know what you are saying, which is why I won't use the F560. I've always liked the Michelin, but they're an old design as well now, even if they are a better rubber than the Firestone. To my mind, a newer design tyre may give better performance, not that a 145 is ever going to be a performance tyre...

I have Nankang 165s on the front and like them!
A worthy tread update and felt well built and solid which I noticed right away.
The best tires are the ones that are not old rubber, giving them a modern grippy feel while driving.

Again, thank you for real world experience. I'm looking forward to trying them.

I have seen Nankang 205/70's that have the similar sidewalls. At least that way they would match...

At the moment I've got 195/70 Goodyear on the back, so these could be an option later on.

[j-f]

I use them front and rear. 145/80/15 and 165/80/15. Nothing bad to said about, but I don't have 3.000hp and I don't drive it as much as I used too.

[alex d]

I had Nankangs for a while in my 67 (165s all around) and I'd say they had similar grip to the Vredesteins which I have in my other car.

I'm planning to go 145 front and 165 rear soon, and I was thinking I'd go for the XZX's but I wonder if it's worth it after all if the way cheaper tires drive the same, has anyone run both to compare?

[Stevemariott]

I've heard good things about the Nankangs, and they are much more reasonably priced.  The XZXs sure look the part though!

[Neil Davies]

Can't argue with you there Steve! That buggy looks great!

[Stevemariott]

Thanks Neil!!

Can't argue with you there Steve! That buggy looks great!