New car first thoughts

Aug 11, 2025
7
2
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:
Image (11).jpg
Image (12).jpg
Image (13).jpg
 

tomek_olo

Cupra Leon ST VZ 2.0 245 DNPA DQ381
Jan 28, 2022
151
53
I don't know what you drove before, but yes - sadly it is not a particularly quiet car.
 
Aug 11, 2025
7
2
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

Active Member
Oct 14, 2022
150
51
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!
 
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BoomerBoom

Active Member
Jun 1, 2018
786
290
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.
 
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SRGTD

Active Member
May 26, 2014
2,764
1,621
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.
 
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Aug 11, 2025
7
2
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

Active Member
Jun 1, 2018
786
290
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.
 
Aug 11, 2025
7
2
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
 
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