New car first thoughts

[chux27]

Hey all,

So yesterday I picked up my new (to me) 2023 Cupra Leon 245. Car looks great and sounds great but one thing I really noticed was the road noise. Not sure if this is to do with the Bridgestone's on it, or if the sound deadening is particularly bad in this car. Anyone else have any experience of the noise being loud?

Here's a couple pics:

 

[tomek_olo]

I don't know what you drove before, but yes - sadly it is not a particularly quiet car.

 

[chux27]

I don't know what you drove before, but yes - sadly it is not a particularly quiet car.

Had a 1.5 Seat Leon. Just wondered if the tyres are causing most of the road noise? Obviously on better tarmac it is quieter, but for most daily driving it is quite loud. Also do you know if the exhaust noise is genuine or is it piped in through the speakers? Just curious

 

[Richiepoos]

Had a 1.5 Seat Leon. Just wondered if the tyres are causing most of the road noise? Obviously on better tarmac it is quieter, but for most daily driving it is quite loud. Also do you know if the exhaust noise is genuine or is it piped in through the speakers? Just curious

If you have a fiddle with drive modes you can create your own 'Cupra' mode and turn the sound off - you'll then be able to hear the actual exhaust sounds!

 

[BoomerBoom]

It's the Bridgestone tyres, they are very noisy and also give very poor grip in the wet.

My guess is the compound will be hard-wearing, but after 10k miles I'm not seeing any noise improvement and really miss the Michelins my last Leon came with.

 

[SRGTD]

I’ve always considered Bridgestones to be quite noisy tyres, so if Cupra have also skimped on the quality and quantity of sound deadening insulation that’s not a great recipe for a silent ride.

 

[chux27]

It's the Bridgestone tyres, they are very noisy and also give very poor grip in the wet.

My guess is the compound will be hard-wearing, but after 10k miles I'm not seeing any noise improvement and really miss the Michelins my last Leon came with.

I may look at replacing them then, as I reckon it would be really annoying on any drive over an hour long

 

[BoomerBoom]

Try doing 80 on a concrete surfaced motorway, you can't hear the radio or yourself think.

If mine was owned and approaching three years I wouldn't hesitate, but it's a one year old lease with two years yet to go.

 

[chux27]

Try doing 80 on a concrete surfaced motorway, you can't hear the radio or yourself think.

If mine was owned and approaching three years I wouldn't hesitate, but it's a one year old lease with two years yet to go.

Thats not ideal at all. I have a 3-4 hour drive in a couple of weekends. I will see how I get on. If its horrendous then I will be getting new tyres

 

[tomek_olo]

do you know if the exhaust noise is genuine or is it piped in through the speakers?

2.0 245 has only the legit exhaust sound. No speaker bullshit. There's a valve in the exhaust that opens when in Sport/Cupra.

Mine came from factory on Goodyears, now I use Contis SC7. For me the noise is OK.

 

[Railwayman]

2.0 245 has only the legit exhaust sound. No speaker bullshit. There's a valve in the exhaust that opens when in Sport/Cupra.

Mine came from factory on Goodyears, now I use Contis SC7. For me the noise is OK.

I’ve had a couple of 245s and the exhaust sound is great and as stated above legit. I’ve changed wheels and tyres for Goodyears and on a run without music all I can hear is a a great exhaust note!

 

[Lucas90]

I just did a tip run yesterday and on the way back without the parcel shelf and the back seats folded down you can really hear the exhaust especially in cupra mode

I've had Bridgestones before on a mk3 leon and road noise wasn't great. I would get them changed.

 

[Seriously?]

Another vote for ditching the "Flintstones" for something else.
And BTW, if you think normal Bridgestones are noisy, try the run flat variety; they should be sold with free ear defenders.