Comfort and silent tyres

[afsaft]

Hello.

I have a ibiza cupra 2010 with pirelli.

I drive a lot in europe, and need the car to be more silent and comfortable.

Is it possible to choose a different size?

Can someone suggest a brand, that's without a doubt more quiet?

A

 

[markmeus]

I'm interested to hear people views on quieter tyres as well, the Pirellis on my 1.6 TDI are also shockingly noisy

 

[nightflight]

I'm on FK452's at present and they seem noticeably quieter than the Potenza's that came from the factory.
Can be pushed further too, but aren't as progressive near the limit.

 

[GazEP3]

I thought it was more due to the quite firm suspension in the ibiza's than the tyres. Ibiza's have always had a lot of road noise in my experience and I've been driving them for about 13 years now on n off

 

[NetworkMan]

I've heard from several sources that wide low profile tyres tend to be more noisy than narrow high profile ones.

My 1.2 TSI SE has 185/60-15 tyres and the softer suspension I find the road noise to be pretty good, vastly better than my previous 2002 Honda Civic.

In my Ibiza I can hear the difference as the road surface changes, for example from tarmac to concrete but I can usually also hear a bit of wind and a bit of engine too; it seems quite well balanced.

I suppose that harder springs might make a difference if they were accompanied by harder rubber bushes.

 

[NetworkMan]

Is it possible to choose a different size?

Your options will be very limited without buying new wheels since you will need to keep the same rolling radius and ensure that the tyres are not too wide or too narrow for the rim.

 

[afsaft]

I guess markmeus has 16, and still it's noisy. Maybe it's not worth changing or anything else. Just accept the noise as it is.

 

[markmeus]

I guess markmeus has 16, and still it's noisy. Maybe it's not worth changing or anything else. Just accept the noise as it is.

Yes I had 16's and the standard sport suspension.
I did change to 17's recently and the road noise isn't any worse. Although my speedo is out, so I need to change my tyres to 215/40 which is probably going to make it noiser according to the posts above.

And then I'd like to lower it as well, which probably wont help. So i think I'll just keep the stereo turned up

 

[dm222]

I have contintal premium contact 2

is this normal??

Only this wheel does this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsGQunxCkLA

 

[VeeFource]

Google 'Love Tyres', enter your tyre size and go through the filter on the left hand side for 'Label Noise'.

You might then want to cross check the tyres listed with other review sites depending on what you're after, i.e. grip or comfort etc.

After doing much research for a quieter but sporty tyre I went for Vredestein Ultrac Sessanta's for my FR and our Sportrider and they gave a huge reduction in noise over the original Bridgestone Potenza's with no noticeable drop in performance.

 

[skyrocketeer]

I have contintal premium contact 2

is this normal??

Only this wheel does this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsGQunxCkLA

Is that with the engine running (and PAS doing it's thing)?

If not try it on different road surfaces, if the noise persists then it may be the front strut top-mount - depending on the design there may be a rubber bush that binds on the thrust bearing a bit. I've heard it on other cars with McPherson strut front suspension, albeit a more primitive design.

if it doesn't do it when the car is jacked up, then I'd put money on it being the top mount, but it could be other things like CV joint or balljoint gaiters rubbing.

If the noise is only made when the engine is running then it maybe something with the PAS, which is electric, so essentially vooodoo and probably expensive.

 

[dm222]

Is that with the engine running (and PAS doing it's thing)?

If not try it on different road surfaces, if the noise persists then it may be the front strut top-mount - depending on the design there may be a rubber bush that binds on the thrust bearing a bit. I've heard it on other cars with McPherson strut front suspension, albeit a more primitive design.

if it doesn't do it when the car is jacked up, then I'd put money on it being the top mount, but it could be other things like CV joint or balljoint gaiters rubbing.

If the noise is only made when the engine is running then it maybe something with the PAS, which is electric, so essentially vooodoo and probably expensive.

Engine is off. Will try in another surface, I know that jacked doesnt do anything.

 

[camelspyyder]

Look at tyrereviews.co.uk for loads of information and ratings.

For what its worth I have 215/45R16 on the Ibiza which ride great (standard not FR suspension), but the 215/40R17 on the Toledo make the ride a bit unsettled, so that would be better on the 16 option as well.

Both tyres are quiet though - Dunlop SP Fast Response on one and Conti Premium Contact 2 on the other.

I think the main factor affecting Ibizas and Leons is the hard suspension on FR and Cupra - if you want comfort and quiet you may have the wrong car.