I notice quite a few threads in here questioning the in-cabin noise in the Superb.

Response is typically that some say it's quiet, some say it's normal, some say it's noisy.

 

But has anyone done anything to make it even more quiet than how it is originally (regardless of how each find it - quiet, normal, loud...) ?

 

And I'm not talking about switching from 19" to 16" wheels... ;-)

 

Has anyone put noise dampening mats somewhere?

How about under carriage anti corrodation/rust remedies (Tectyl etc.), does these have any noise suppression effect?

 

Other measures?

 

BR,

Christopher

It's noisy inside (IMO) - when it's not creaking and rattling everywhere

Tyre noise is the biggest problem, party due to the 235 19s fitted to my car (my option box ticking has come back to haunt me!). The difference in noise level over various road surfaces is enormous, so tyre choice is important.

I'm due some new front tyres shortly, so the dB rating will be a priority - second only to wet grip, which HAS to be A rated.

I've chosen the Dunlop SP SportMaxx RT, as it has a noise rating of 68dB which is considerably less than the 72dB from the factory fitted Pirelli P7s, which are probably even noisier that due to being worn down to around 2.2mm.

As to noise suppression. There are plenty of products out there. Even some places who will cut out a bespoke set for your DIY installation in your car. However if you want to be sure of reducing any noise that is troubling you then I would suggest going to a specialist installer as noise suppression/attenuation is more than sticking a few packs on the floor/ in the boot/ in the engine compartment. 

 

My view is that apart from the tyre noise the only other area that gripes with me would be the diesel thrum and that is likely vibration and not strictly noise. Otherwise the car just glides.

 

@ dstev. I have used sportmaxx on several cars and they are indeed quieter than many others. Make sure you check for the latest issue. I think it is now RT2.

The Pirelli P7's on 190 are noisy at times. More so in colder temperatures approaching 7 degrees. Whilst I would like to identify a quieter tyre, I thought that the noise ratings on tyres was for drive-by noise, not interior noise. It's not the same.

I done some soundproofing on my Leon ST as I was plagued by the same door trim rattles and vibrations that seem to be a major headache for most Mk3 Leon owners. I know it's a different car but some of the content may be relevant for soundproofing the Superb too:

 

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=417184

I tried to soundproof a Focus. I did all the boot floor and rear wheel arches with two different layers and it didn't make a scrap of difference! I reckon most noise comes from the tyres. The lower the profile the noisier they are. Honest John always recommends Michelin all season tyres to be the quietest.

@ caspian,

 

Expressed simply the cabin noise will be a combination of noise directly transmitted through the car and noise making its way via the air back into the cabin. Then we have different road surfaces that can also make a big difference with different surfaces affecting different tyres in different ways.

 

I would expect that most tyre noise is directly transmitted through the structure of the car which is what I think you are referring to in your comment. However a drive by noise test should give a reasonable idea about how quiet or loud a tyre is and I would expect a low dB rated tyre from a drive-by test to be generally quieter overall inside the cabin. 

Get rid of the factory tyres

The rest is just a waste of money

Night and day on winter michelin alpins vs factory pirelli p7s

I notice quite a few threads in here questioning the in-cabin noise in the Superb.

Response is typically that some say it's quiet, some say it's normal, some say it's noisy.

 

But has anyone done anything to make it even more quiet than how it is originally (regardless of how each find it - quiet, normal, loud...) ?

 

And I'm not talking about switching from 19" to 16" wheels... ;-)

 

Has anyone put noise dampening mats somewhere?

How about under carriage anti corrodation/rust remedies (Tectyl etc.), does these have any noise suppression effect?

 

Other measures?

 

BR,

Christopher

As to noise suppression. There are plenty of products out there. Even some places who will cut out a bespoke set for your DIY installation in your car. However if you want to be sure of reducing any noise that is troubling you then I would suggest going to a specialist installer as noise suppression/attenuation is more than sticking a few packs on the floor/ in the boot/ in the engine compartment. 

 

My view is that apart from the tyre noise the only other area that gripes with me would be the diesel thrum and that is likely vibration and not strictly noise. Otherwise the car just glides.

 

@ dstev. I have used sportmaxx on several cars and they are indeed quieter than many others. Make sure you check for the latest issue. I think it is now RT2.

 

As far as I can tell, The RT2 version of that tyre isn't available in 235/40/R19 flavour. I'm not that worried either way as the sound reduction compared to the P7s should be noticeable. 

 

And I agree with the noise from the engine. I think there might be an issue with some cars where something buried in the dash vibrates or resonates with the engine's RPM. I have complained about it a few times and will do so again. A few people on this forum have had the dash of their cars removed for access to some heating pipes and/or the heating box assembly so it can be modified/replaced/whatever to reduce the amount of noise. It might be more prevalent on earlier models. 

4dB difference in sound pressure is not going to make a significant difference. You might notice it but don't expect a massive change. In theory it might drop it by 50% but that is theoretical and in an identical surface to the one in a Lab, and we know how that has worked for fuel economy data! The real world difference might be 25-30% from just that source, and there are other sources that won't have changed.

@ caspian,

Expressed simply the cabin noise will be a combination of noise directly transmitted through the car and noise making its way via the air back into the cabin. Then we have different road surfaces that can also make a big difference with different surfaces affecting different tyres in different ways.

I would expect that most tyre noise is directly transmitted through the structure of the car which is what I think you are referring to in your comment. However a drive by noise test should give a reasonable idea about how quiet or loud a tyre is and I would expect a low dB rated tyre from a drive-by test to be generally quieter overall inside the cabin.

I did read that tyres that are quiet in the drive by are that way because the noise is directed up into the wheel arch.

Surely they could use a standard car and give us the decibel level from inside the car?

I ran Dunlop Sportmaxx tyres on my Superb II and they made a massive difference in the noise levels in the car compared to the 72 dB Kumhos it came with and the 72 dB Primacy 3's I replaced the Dunlops with. The downside to the Dunlops is they wear at almost twice the rate I've seen from most other tyres, while gripping noticeably less well than the Michelins on greasy roads, though grip was by no means bad. Almost all the noise in the cabin of most cars above 30 mph is tyre noise, so quiet tyres will make the car feel a lot more refined if you do a lot of A road/motorway driving.

I've used Goodyear assymetric F2 (?) to good effect for a few years with the odd Dunlop thrown in for a change. Wear isn't too bad on the Goodyears and they are quiet. Also very good in the wet.

I used noise dampening mats on the floor and bonnet. It made a big difference on both noise and vibrations. Highly recommended. Took a couple of days and material cost around £160 if I remember correctly.

^^^  :o

I notice quite a few threads in here questioning the in-cabin noise in the Superb.

Response is typically that some say it's quiet, some say it's normal, some say it's noisy.

 

But has anyone done anything to make it even more quiet than how it is originally (regardless of how each find it - quiet, normal, loud...) ?

 

And I'm not talking about switching from 19" to 16" wheels... ;-)

 

Has anyone put noise dampening mats somewhere?

How about under carriage anti corrodation/rust remedies (Tectyl etc.), does these have any noise suppression effect?

 

Other measures?

 

BR,

Christopher

 

Usually bad noise insulation leads to annoying sound problems.

Probably they had to cut some costs compared to VW Passat and they went for less material for sound insulation.

 

Maybe the facelift will fix the noise.

So Dstev did you replace your tyres yet ?