I have a 5 year old 1.6 diesel Fabia. I bought is 4 years ago. It had Bridgestone Turenza tyres from new. They are 196R15 55 85H. While the tyres have lasted well (38,000 miles), and grip well, the car has always suffered from horrible road noise. On a smooth road it was unpleasant but on a new high grip surface it was impossible to hold a conversation.

 

I have just replaced the tyres and had Michelin CrossClimate tyres fitted. The tyres are claimed to have excellent wet grip and be quieter. The tyres are almost the same spec being V speed rated and 89 rather than 85 load rating. Claimed noise is 68dB while the Bridgestones are 71.

 

The effect on subjective noise travelling in the car is impressive. I have attached a short recording of driving the car over the same stretch of recently re-surfaced country road, first with the old tyres and then the new. The car is travelling at 40mph. The radio is on to give a sound level against which the sound of the road noise can be judged. The radio is set to volume 10 playing BBC Radio 3 in each case. The road was wet in both cases with some standing water with the old tyres.

 

The tyres have done about 15 miles from new and this may be reducing the tyre noise slightly. However, the noise level may not change or could even reduce a little once the tyres have bedded in. Sorry if the recording is not impressive, driving the car the reduced level of noise is.

 

I haven't been able to measure any change in fuel consumption but will do and report any change here

Tyre Comparison.mp3

The bridgestones are horribly noisey.

I got rid of mine after 15k miles and put Goodyear Vector 4 seasons on. Made the car mich nicer to be in

Thanks SlowBloke

 

I am cursed with Bridgestone Turanza's (same size as yours on my 2013 1.2 TSI)

They drive me potty with the horrendous noise produced on gravelled road - and it is absolute bliss to drive along a stretch of fine tarmac'd surface when the road noise DRAMATICALLY reduces.

 

I know that Fabiamk2SE had the same problem, and changed (see his post).

My Fabia has only done 12500 - but the damned tyres show no sign of wear. Such is the noise level that I too am considering getting rid of them prematurely.

I have had the Michelin CrossClimate very firmly in mind - so it is great to hear your recording and comments about them.

 

From your experience so far - do you consider that the fronts have made the greater difference to overall noise (or the rears)

Thanks again for your useful post

 

Sent from a very non Bridgestone fan

Edited 14 October, 201510 yr by 2ndskoda

Id of probably had the Michelin Crossclimates if they were out last January when i upgraded.

I havent seen a bad review on them, everyone seems to think theyre grrreeaatt.

Regarding fitting front or rear tyres first, it is hard to say where the noise in mainly from.

 

I forgot to mention that I got the tyres mail order from Black Circles. Good price (£288 delivered) and speedy service so was very satisfied. Then found I had to pay £80 to a local garage to fit and balance them and a further £10 to leave the old tyres at the local recycle centre. So £378 in total. With hindsight I might have done better to shop around the local tyre centres or use a supplier who can provide a fitter. However, very pleased with the tyres. Up to now I have usually been able to change the tyres using a couple of tyre levers and my size 10s but the old tyres just didn't want to leave the rims. I was afraid of damaging the wheels or myself.

 

I did a 40 mile trip this morning. On wet roads, the car was doing 51mpg. On the old tyres at this time of year I would have expected 45 to 48 so it looks like the Michelins are bit bit better for economy. I always log the amount when buying fuel so I will have a bett idea in a few days time as the tank is nearly full and I only drive about 500 miles/month.

Finally had to refill the tank. It took 35.6 litres to brim the tank after 396 miles. So I am getting a bit less than 50mpg. Which is pretty typical for this time of year. Therefore I don;t think the new tyres have improved fuel consumption by much if anything.