Hello everyone, new (well had it three months now) owner of a 2018 Superb Elegance 4x4 manual with, I think, the 150hp 2.0TDI. Very happy with the car, but it is noisier than I expected. The car is high miles, just short of 80,000 at the moment, but the noise  seems very road surface/noise dependant. It has Michelin Cross Climates which are hitting 2 to 3mm tread left (2mm on front, 3mm on rear) and am investigating replacement tyres. I have read as many of the Mk3 Superb tyre threads that I can find and I appreciate that tyres are very much personal preference, but a quick steer and input would be helpful. I live in Scotland and I am willing to pay good money for good tyres (they are, after all, all that really stands between you, your loved ones and a ditch) and preferably all season tyres. Would another set of Cross Climates suit? To me, they seem overly noisy, but this may be due to the low tread left, but seem to hang on well, although my wife gives the car a lot more beans than I do. A thread mentioned the new Pirellis Cinturato All Season SF2's. Does anyone actually have them fitted and would care to comment?

 

Otherwise, very happy with the car. It was bought as a long distance cruiser, and while personal circumstances have changed so it now most probably won't rack up 400 odd miles a weekend, it is nice big comfy car. Despite the 4x4, it gets just short of 60mpg on the run down the M74/M6, and would probably be better if not for the long drag up hills on that commute, and otherwise, and I keep track of every fill up, it hasn't averaged less than 50mpg per tank. I bought some nice mats and the mud flaps for it and will probably, at some stage, get the spare wheel kit as the pump and scoosh bottle make me nervous. 

 

I am curious as most 4x4's seem to be autos, and I check every Superb that passes me and haven't seen another 4x4 yet either. Are they that unusual?

 

Best wishes, Sandy

The Pirelli SF2 were only launched few months ago, so reviews might be lacking.  Another new one is Avon AS7 (also no reviews)

 

There is a new version of cross climate, the cross climate 2 (but may not be available in sizes you need yet)

 

Other highly recommended all season tyres are Continental all season contact, Goodyear vector 4season generation3, Vredestein Quatrac Pro

 

Noise levels will vary with temperature, and I am guessing, your worn tread probably doesn’t help as you are down to the harder material, which will rumble more.

 

However do order them in next few weeks as prices jump seasonally by September.

All tyres have a sticker that lists the decibel(*) noise rating see if you can google the current set values and see how new version differs (or any other tyres).

I won't have tyres less than B for grip and B for economy and usually about 74db for the noise and they seem OK (though I might be deafer than you), quality of roads probably makes a lot more difference too, ridged concrete and coarse blacktop being worse than really smooth new tarmac.

 

* some decibel numbers are odd as sometimes they are logarithmic, so a decrease of 1 is much better than than the tiny difference suggests, school was too long ago to remember properly but 10 and 100 was a doubling and then decibel levels have variations too.

Please remember that the decibel rating is measured from outside the car as it drives by, and probably bears little relation to the noise level inside the car.

Goodyear Vector 4 Season G2 215/60R16 95V Euro Label C C 68dB Audi

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s9099p139200/Goodyear_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Goodyear_Vector_4_Season_Generation_2_-_215_60_R16_95V_(AO)_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB

 

Edited 9 July, 20214 yr by Carlston

19 hours ago, Carlston said:

Goodyear Vector 4 Season G2 215/60R16 95V Euro Label C C 68dB Audi

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s9099p139200/Goodyear_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Goodyear_Vector_4_Season_Generation_2_-_215_60_R16_95V_(AO)_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_1_Noise%3A_68dB

 

Those are generation 2 tyres, but generation 3 is available now

Presumably older stock, the AO letters mean were Audi original fit

 

Another possible is Hankook’s all season (kinergy 4S2) seems to have done well in comparison tests, so another possible contender.  

 

@MercerS if you specify the size fitted to your car, (something like 225/55 R18) then someone may be able to make a shorter shortlist, as some might not be available in that size.

 

16 minutes ago, SurreyJohn said:

Those are generation 2 tyres, but generation 3 is available now

Presumably older stock, the AO letters mean were Audi original fit

Another possible is Hankook’s all season (kinergy 4S2) seems to have done well in comparison tests, so another possible contender.  

@MercerS if you specify the size fitted to your car, (something like 225/55 R18) then someone may be able to make a shorter shortlist, as some might not be available in that size.

 

Generation 3 is available, but they are noiser than Generation 2...71dB vs 68dB

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8007p197881/Goodyear_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Goodyear_Vector_4_Season_Generation3_-_215_60_R16_99V_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_71dB

 

The OP is on 235/45R18 which in general will be noiser than a narrower tyre such as 215/60R16.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 5 235/45R18 98Y XL Euro Label C C 70dB

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m141b0s9174p150064/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac5_Vredestein_Quatrac_5_-_235_45_R18_98Y_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_C_Wet_Grip%3A_C_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_70dB

 

215/60R16 will give a more comfortable ride than 235/45R18.

 

For a cheaper tyre size, oversize 215/65R16 could be used on the Superb MK3, but not the 272HP/280HP 4x4 version as that model uses 340mm diameter front disc brakes so needs at least 17" wheels to clear the front brake calipers.

 

Vredestein Quatrac 215/65R16 102V XL

https://www.camskill.co.uk/m139b0s8008p202132/Vredestein_Tyres_All_Season_Car_Vredestein_Quatrac_6_-_215_65_R16_102V_XL_TL_Fuel_Eff_%3A_B_Wet_Grip%3A_B_NoiseClass%3A_2_Noise%3A_71dB

 

Edited 10 July, 20214 yr by Carlston

Hello, thanks for the replies.

 

As pointed out I should have said the current tyre size is 235/45/18.

 

All the best