Just got the car from new and find that the road noise/drumming in the car is uncomfortable (seems to resonate inside my head). I didn't remember it on the test drive. The car is a Fabia Hatch SE (1.2tsi&DSG) with 15 inch Antares alloy wheels and 195/55 R15 85H tyres - Bridgestone TURANZA ER300.

The reviews (BlackCircles.com) for these tyres indicate that they do have a high level of road noise (maybe because they are a high-performance quality tyre suitable for mid/large cars).

Has anyone experienced similar noise/drumming with these tyres or are other types fitted to the Fabia quieter?

Or is the drumming common to the car regardless of the tyres fitted? Does it come from the body/door/floor panels? I would welcome your views/experiences.

It was suggested that the new tyres need to "wear in/soften up" so I'll give it a bit more time. If it doesn't improve, I'm quite prepared to replace the tyres with a quieter version. Does anyone have any experiences as to how you can resell the nearly new (less than 400 miles) Bridgestone TURANZA tyres?

retiredbri

I have the 15" Antares alloys with Continentals on them. They are nice and quiet. I believe the Bridgestones are noisier but once worn in should be ok or at acceptable levels. But this is always a subjective thing I guess. You can sell your part used tyres on Ebay no problem. Most people will collect if the price is right.

I know this is prob something you've checked but just make sure you're tyre pressures are ok.

when the car gets transported the pressures are usually set up to 50psi and then re set on pre delivery inspection at dealer.it could have been missed,I've seen it before

As we are talking about noise, I thought I would share with you what I have done to quieten my vRS Estate.

I bought a roll of sound deadening felt from Halfords.

I cut a piece the same size as the boot floor and put it under the floor over the spare wheel well.

I lifted both rear seat squabs and put a piece under them too.

I then bought the Skoda rubber boot floor and installed that, it is very good quality and it will be handy when I go fishing to be able to wipe clean.

I think this has made a tremendous difference for £60 and I dare say Ebayer's could do it a good deal cheaper.

Regards

Tony

As we are talking about noise, I thought I would share with you what I have done to quieten my vRS Estate.

I bought a roll of sound deadening felt from Halfords.

I cut a piece the same size as the boot floor and put it under the floor over the spare wheel well.

I lifted both rear seat squabs and put a piece under them too.

I then bought the Skoda rubber boot floor and installed that, it is very good quality and it will be handy when I go fishing to be able to wipe clean.

I think this has made a tremendous difference for £60 and I dare say Ebayer's could do it a good deal cheaper.

Regards

Tony

Thanks for the data. I'll check the tyre pressures on Sunday and look into the sound deadening material. Did yours drum and was on all road surfaces? What car/tyres do you have?

Regards

I have Conti Sports on 17" rims and the worst noise is from concrete, like the M25 South.

I also had grinding noise from rear discs.

However, I am more than satisfied with general road noise from the car, especially after sound deadening.

Tony

Tony, that's a really good idea and cheap to do. A good post!

Try mitchelin energy savers or goodyear efficincy grips.. Alot smoother on the road

I have bridgestone Turanzas on my 16" alloys. They are incredibly noisy, even more noticable after swapping back from my winter tyres which were actually much quieter. I think I'll be looking at doing some sound deadening too.

What about :-

Kumho Ecsta KU 39 and Vredesten Ultrac Cento

Both are good for grip etc but have the benefit of very low noise levels.

John

The tyre pressures are right.

Thanks for the feedback, please keep it coming. A friend visiting said it does have a pronounced thumping/drumming, particularly on concrete & stone chipping covered road surfaces.

He thought that because the steel on VW cars is thicker (advert for Golf Door "clunk") that maybe Skoda is also thicker so drumming would be more of a boom/lower frequency than "thin/tinny" skinned cars.

regards

retiredbri

Edited 17 July, 201114 yr by retiredbri

What about :- Kumho Ecsta KU 39 ..Vredesten Ultrac Cento

Reviews fantastic thanks but Kumho Ecsta KU 39 not made in 15" and Vredesten Ultrac Cento not in 195/55

Keep em coming - looking for quietest 195/55 R15 out there!

retiredbri

Edited 17 July, 201114 yr by retiredbri

Kumho Ecsta HM KH31

Any views on Falken ZE912? They make 15inch 195/55's

retiredbri

I have bridgestone Turanzas on my 16" alloys. They are incredibly noisy, even more noticable after swapping back from my winter tyres which were actually much quieter. I think I'll be looking at doing some sound deadening too.

Got the same tyres and size. The car came with them and I got to say I'm very, very disappointed. They are too hard and don't heat up easily which means that the grip is just awful.

Road noise is high too. Only time I really enjoyed the tyres was at a track day but there you get THE perfect asphalt and enough time to heat up your tyres. For everyday use they are in my opinion utter ****e.

I'm planning to go for either:

Matador MP 46 Hectorra 2 or

Uniroyal Rainsport 2 or

Kumho Ecsta KU39