Larry is in the know  about tires and rims but I have to add that I
noticed NO difference or loss of power going from a crappy 14" up to
15" with 225/70R15. The plus far out way any percieved power issues
with the animic 2.1L. Plus oversized tires get the RPM down...which
never hurts a 2.1L. I'm guessing my combo added 100lbs or rolling
mass, but I cannot tell. Maybe I got a "good" engine!

I may be a size to big for clearence though...

Plus:
Better cross wind stability
Better ride with larger tires
Better road grip against hydroplaning and snow slip
Lower RPM = happy engine

Cons:
More money

Shawn

On 8/2/06, Larry Chase <roadguy@roadhaus.com> wrote:
> Jeff,
>
> Even though like many others I run 15" wheels, I'm not sure I would agree
> that "a 15" wheel is the preferred size"
>
> All depends on one's objectives.
>
> If you have a stock 2.1L Waterboxer and plan to stay that way ... IMHO,
> there is a lot to be said for staying with a 14" wheel. A bit easier on an
> already taxed underpowered engine. Stills lots of good properly load rated
> 14" tires available.
>
> If you plan to do an engine conversion (TDI, Subie, Ztec etc)or just want to
> fill the wheel wells a bit more ... 15" is a good choice.
>
>
> good road,
> good adventure,
> good life,
>
> larry chase
> www.roadhaus.com
> soon to be roadhaus.org
>
> - - -
>
> Date:    Wed, 2 Aug 2006 09:34:21 -0400
> From:    Jeff Lincoln <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
> Subject: 15" Wheels/Tires
>
> Ok so with all this wheel and tire talk recently I got to thinking - it
> seems clear that a 15" wheel is the preferred size for a Vanagon and should
> have been the stock size. Now I like the idea of more stability and better
> handling by upsizing in this area however I am not a fancy alloy wheel kind
> of guy - I kinda like my Vanagon "ugly" like it was meant to be - so are
> there 15" rims that can be purchased that I can still put my "classic" VW
> chrome dome hub caps on? I know sort of a dumb question but I figure someone
> here will know.
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
>

--
shawn feller
ohio
www.carboncow.com
www.carboncow.net