A3 8V cabin noise...

A3SLine2014 · Apr 27, 2021

My A3 seems to be generating more cabin noise in recent months. Like a worn wheen bearing noise but have checked all four corners and all ok.

The only change I've made is by running the tyre pressures higher and achieving decent mpg as a result with new spark plugs etc. 68.9mpg on a drive to site recently and mostly 58-60mpg on a mix of roads in comfort and a manual 1.4 COD.

Tyre pressures are as the door sticker. The noise was present before unless I notice it more so now..

Looked on MK7 golf for aero mods and harmonic damper but would they help much?

Tyres are Potenzas all round

Neil C · Apr 27, 2021

The A3 8V is known for high road noise. What you have done re your tyre pressures may just have amplified the problem.
I'm not sure that anyone has found a solution yet.

sk3 · Apr 28, 2021

I have a 1.4 cod as well, can I ask how you’re getting 50/60mpg, only any town my car struggles to push past 40, most I’ve gotten is 50mpg.

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A3SLine2014 · Apr 28, 2021

I was struggling with early 40's mpg for a good while and often in the late 30's. Used the efficency map and only difference was it killed the torque and driving like I'd just passed my test. I was pi$$ed off after seeing all the high mpg on the manufacturer publications.

I ended up driving it in dynamic and mpg slightly improved. Considered fitting 205 55 16 tyres and steel wheels, improving the rear underbody airflow but didn't as there's an undertray there with a load of spike to disrupt the airflow.

Changed oil as usual (5w-30) and considered the 5w-20.

How it has improved was since changing the spark plugs (which were in excellent visual condition). Increased tyre pressures and drive it in comfort.... but use the COD where I'm not always in the highest gear as it says to change to on the DIS. Same route, same conditions I'd return 48mpg in a W205 OM651 auto Mercedes or 50mpg in my old W204 OM646EVO manual I get 54mpg now in the A3 (traffic, B roads, country lane and small town)

sk3 · Apr 28, 2021

A3SLine2014 said:
I was struggling with early 40's mpg for a good while and often in the late 30's. Used the efficency map and only difference was it killed the torque and driving like I'd just passed my test. I was pi$$ed off after seeing all the high mpg on the manufacturer publications.

I ended up driving it in dynamic and mpg slightly improved. Considered fitting 205 55 16 tyres and steel wheels, improving the rear underbody airflow but didn't as there's an undertray there with a load of spike to disrupt the airflow.

Changed oil as usual (5w-30) and considered the 5w-20.

How it has improved was since changing the spark plugs (which were in excellent visual condition). Increased tyre pressures and drive it in comfort.... but use the COD where I'm not always in the highest gear as it says to change to on the DIS. Same route, same conditions I'd return 48mpg in a W205 OM651 auto Mercedes or 50mpg in my old W204 OM646EVO manual I get 54mpg now in the A3 (traffic, B roads, country lane and small town)

Thanks for the info, can I ask which spark plugs you used as I’ve currently got platinum ones in my car replaced in 2020. And in reference to your last paragraph, doesn’t the COD kick in automatically without driver input? My tyre pressures are at 33psi if memory recalls on Michelin PS4 and I’m usually driving in either efficiency or auto. Although, I’ll give comfort a go. And to summarise, spark plugs, high psi and driving in comfort is the reason for your high mpg.

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Dubjam · Apr 28, 2021

Bridgestone tyres...so god damn noisy.

A3SLine2014 · Apr 29, 2021

sk3 said:
Thanks for the info, can I ask which spark plugs you used as I’ve currently got platinum ones in my car replaced in 2020. And in reference to your last paragraph, doesn’t the COD kick in automatically without driver input? My tyre pressures are at 33psi if memory recalls on Michelin PS4 and I’m usually driving in either efficiency or auto. Although, I’ll give comfort a go. And to summarise, spark plugs, high psi and driving in comfort is the reason for your high mpg.

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NGK 93231
Tyre pressures 38 front/36rear?
With COD it kicks in automatically. Say going along a road in 5th, says to change up to 6th but if you do the COD won't activate as engine labouring/ too low rpm for it to kick in so would keep it in 5th.... I hope that makes sense. I was driving it like a diesel that was i used to always in the highest gear and couldn't achieve decent mpg.

A3SLine2014 · Apr 29, 2021

Dubjam said:
Bridgestone tyres...so god damn noisy.

First time I've had bridgestones and you may have a point. I mainly had Michelin or Continental on past cars and then had a set of Riken UHP and realised that the car was a lot quieter and I battered that car as RWD with great handling those tyres were excellent and they had a 580 tread wear rating and £200 for a set that included wider rears. Once the bridgestones wear out which I think be 15k more miles on the front ill get a set 30k total on front think 50k miles for rear wear

Dubjam · Apr 30, 2021

A3SLine2014 said:
First time I've had bridgestones and you may have a point. I mainly had Michelin or Continental on past cars and then had a set of Riken UHP and realised that the car was a lot quieter and I battered that car as RWD with great handling those tyres were excellent and they had a 580 tread wear rating and £200 for a set that included wider rears. Once the bridgestones wear out which I think be 15k more miles on the front ill get a set 30k total on front think 50k miles for rear wear

They are definitely very noisy! Them and Pirelli's. I use Avons now which are one of the quietest on the market, and the difference when I replaced the Bridgestones on my previous A3 8P with them was incredible.

Bridgestone - American - Noise - figures

Bigjase88 · Apr 30, 2021

Dubjam said:
Bridgestone tyres...so god damn noisy.

I have Bridgestone All Season A005’s imagine how noisy they are!

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A3 8V cabin noise...

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