Road Noise on 16" Wheels

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icebun

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Posted this in another forum but I though I would post here as this is very active.

So I road tested a new Golf VII today and was surprised at the amount of road noise it made at motorway speeds, albeit on 17" wheels.

As I have a preference for the 1.4 150 BHP engine, the only other option is to have this in a Audi A3 SE instead so I can run this on smaller wheels.

Just wanted some comments on those on 16" wheels what their opinion is on the amount of noise at 70 MPH or thereabouts.
 
You could always order one of the Sound Systems as well ... and then the road noise will disappear :)

I have a 1.4 TFSI COD S-Line on order (but with SE suspension) and I didn't experience any problems with excessive road noise on 18" wheels during the test drives. Most of the negative comments seem to relate to the Continental tyres (fitted on the 18" wheels) which are apparently quite noisy.
 
I can't stress enough that the excessive road noise is down to the brand of tyre!

In my experience, I have personally found the Michelin Pilot Sport to be a much quieter tyre and always have these fitted when the original tyres get to the end of their life (I get at least 10,000 miles more out of them too, which helps justify the higher price)
 
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gtiller said:
I can't stress enough that the excessive road noise is down to the brand of tyre!
Click to expand...

I agree. I had Handkook Venus S1 Evo tyres on 17" wheels on my last A3 and was quite prepared to change depending on the tyres that came on my new A3. But is came on my second choice which was Dunlop Sport Maxx RT. Both of these tyres have proved to be very quite on 17" wheels and SE suspension and the grip is good especially with the quattro on the latest A3
 
glospete said:
You could always order one of the Sound Systems as well ... and then the road noise will disappear :)

I have a 1.4 TFSI COD S-Line on order (but with SE suspension) and I didn't experience any problems with excessive road noise on 18" wheels during the test drives. Most of the negative comments seem to relate to the Continental tyres (fitted on the 18" wheels) which are apparently quite noisy.
Click to expand...

I have this exact vehicle with Continental tyres. I have the comfort pack (with acoustic glass) and B&O and can't say I'm bothered by tyre noise.
 
gtiller said:
I can't stress enough that the excessive road noise is down to the brand of tyre!
Click to expand...

Yep, I agree as well. My car is somewhat on the noisy side, but previous discussions on this subject have tended to conclude it's the Conti Sport Contact tyres all cars with 18" wheels seem to come with.
 
Redgrouse said:
I have this exact vehicle with Continental tyres. I have the comfort pack (with acoustic glass) and B&O and can't say I'm bothered by tyre noise.
Click to expand...

I never play the radio or other music when I'm driving so I think I would tend to notice the tyre noise more than most and I am quite happy with the noise (or lack of) from the Dunlop's on my 17" wheels.
 
Here's my experience...

Test drove A3 S-Line 1.4 TSI on 18" Contis - noisy on rough surfaces
Test drove Golf SE 1.4 TSI on 16" Continentals - noisier than above on rough surfaces
Hired Golf SE 2.0 TDI on 16" on Hankook Ventus Prime....quiet
My A3 1.4 TSI Sport on SE suspension and 17" Pirelli Centurato - Noisy on rough surfaces
My A3 1.4 TSI Sport on SE suspension and 16" Dunlop Sport Maxx - Slightly less noisy on rough surfaces

I've heard that Uniroyal Rainsport 3 are very good for comfort and low noise, but I don't have enough of a problem with the noise to justify changing tyres.
 
Redgrouse said:
I have this exact vehicle with Continental tyres. I have the comfort pack (with acoustic glass) and B&O and can't say I'm bothered by tyre noise.
Click to expand...

Whew! Looks like a good combination - even though we can't choose the tyres we get. Is the acoustic glass just part of the comfort pack as I don't recall seeing it on my order?
 
audi upgrades
I regularly travel the A19 between York and Teesside. There are small parts of the road which have the original 1970's red concrete surface between modern tarmac sections. The sound difference between the road surfaces is very significant and fortunately the concrete is slowly and gradually being replaced as the sound is horrendous.
 
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