Dear All,

Sorry if this thread is sort of a repeat - I've done a search of old threads but cannot find a conclusive answer to a known problem: how to lessen tyre / road noise on the Octavia Vrs estate.

I was very impressed by the car having just got back from Dorset and put the first 500 miles on the clock: my only two (significant) gripes are seats (but that's for another thread) and tyre noise from the continental sport contact 2s fitted to the 18" alloys on my vrs - it's bl@@dy loud (especially above 70mph) and spoils what would otherwise be a very effective motorway stormer.

Now there is a problem with UK road surfaces i admit and it may be that continental deisgners are too used to the smooth Macadam found in germany (and far too infrequently in the UK!) but what is the solution???

Switching to 17s doesnt appear to alleviate the problem as some have reported excessive noise also coming from the standard issue? bridgestones?

Soundproofing the car seems to be an expensive waste of time....

so new tyres....... then. I would happily fork out 500 - 600 quid and get another set if anyone can definitvely say that new tyres make a real difference - I'm thinking Michelins of some variety -anyone?

Finally why did no one pick up on this trait in the motoring press? I suspect it's because, like me, they only had a short test drive with the car / and therefore did not notice it / because largely they were too busy hooning around the place / marvelling at the Octavia's numerous cubby holes etc etc. Will be interesting to see what the Evo and Auto express bods think of their long termers in this regard and Skoda take note also - in my view this is not an insignificant problem and one that must be have been revealed in Czech land where the roads are rubbish too - so why cut this corner when so much else is so sorted????

Your advice is appreciated.

I have noticed a 'booming' noise from the tyres but it only seems to happen on certain types of road surface and to be honest hasn't been too much of a distraction as it's been sooo much fun hooning it around everywhere!. I know of one OctyII vRS driver who has changed front tyres to Dunlop Sport (not sure what type though) but for me once these have worn I'll be changing to probably Toyo's or maybe Khumo KU31's which have had good reports on here.

I have never driven a vRS but in my L&K (Bridgestone tyres) the tyre noise seems excessive on some road surfaces but almost non-existent on others. I recommend the M4 in Wales - but not in England!!!

Dear All' date='

Sorry if this thread is sort of a repeat - I've done a search of old threads but cannot find a conclusive answer to a known problem: how to lessen tyre / road noise on the Octavia Vrs estate.

I was very impressed by the car having just got back from Dorset and put the first 500 miles on the clock: my only two (significant) gripes are seats (but that's for another thread) and tyre noise from the continental sport contact 2s fitted to the 18" alloys on my vrs - it's bl@@dy loud (especially above 70mph) and spoils what would otherwise be a very effective motorway stormer.

Now there is a problem with UK road surfaces i admit and it may be that continental deisgners are too used to the smooth Macadam found in germany (and far too infrequently in the UK!) but what is the solution???

Switching to 17s doesnt appear to alleviate the problem as some have reported excessive noise also coming from the standard issue? bridgestones?

Soundproofing the car seems to be an expensive waste of time....

so new tyres....... then. I would happily fork out 500 - 600 quid and get another set if anyone can definitvely say that new tyres make a real difference - I'm thinking Michelins of some variety -anyone?

Finally why did no one pick up on this trait in the motoring press? I suspect it's because, like me, they only had a short test drive with the car / and therefore did not notice it / because largely they were too busy hooning around the place / marvelling at the Octavia's numerous cubby holes etc etc. Will be interesting to see what the Evo and Auto express bods think of their long termers in this regard and Skoda take note also - in my view this is not an insignificant problem and one that must be have been revealed in Czech land where the roads are rubbish too - so why cut this corner when so much else is so sorted????

Your advice is appreciated.[/quote']

When i got my furby VRS i had the same tyres i dunno if i just got used to the tyre noise or after a 1k of miles the noise seemed to go away. Couldnt you sound proof for less than a new set of tyres??

Extra sound proofing of the body/cabin will probably not do much to lower the tire roar, you will still have the same glass.

I am convinced it is not so much of a tire problem, but our crap roads.

thanks for your responses so far - I have done a quick google search and it seems this is a widespread problem - see passat owner here http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=627!

Can anyone move the debate on and say if they have tried different tyres on the 18" rims and did it make a difference over the Contis?

Also had a go in a superb v6 the other day, which was much quieter but didn't check the wheel tyre combo - anyone know what it would be?

Does the thickness of the glass make a difference? would that be an answer?

Many thanks

Extra sound proofing of the body/cabin will probably not do much to lower the tire roar' date=' you will still have the same glass.

I am convinced it is not so much of a tire problem, but our crap roads.[/quote']

There is a vast difference when you go onto those new M-way surfaces with the rubber mix in them, but that applies to just about all tyres and vehicles. Surely we should judge the comparative (noise) quality of tyres on any old average road?

Right - fancy video proclaiming the virtues of Dunlop SP01 tyre which is being marketed on less noise - see here http://www.dunloptyres.co.uk/ourTyres/car/searchResults/SPSport01/. Anyone know anything about this tyre? - am tempted to give it a shot.

I've got Dunlop Sport SP01s on my 1.9 Octavia (it came with them) and I can safely say that they are pants! Admittedly they've got better after 3000 miles, but when time comes to change, I think its going to have to be Continentals or Goodyear as I've had these on other cars before and they were great.

guineapig

guineapig - why exactly are they pants and what was it about them that got better after 3000 miles.

I am tempted to test out Dunlops claims perhaps by putting in a call to them first and seeing if they might offer a trial period money back if not satisfied type thing based on their claims!

The problem with the Dunlops is the noise - it's got a bit better after 3000 miles, but they seem to react badly to 'rough' tarmac - not badly maintained road, but where the stone chips are quite large and have fairly large gaps between them - I can feel the tyres struggling with the surface as if each of the types of tread on the tyre (different at each side of the tyre if that makes sense?) is wanting to move in a different direction and creating a sort of wierd humming noise.

As I said before, they've got quieter and with the mileage I do, they'll have another 1000 on in a couple of weeks so maybe they'll soften up a bit more.

I think it might be all down to the tread pattern as I've always been used to Continentals with the same tread pattern across the whole tyre.

(if any of that makes sense)

guineapig

That is the problem UK road surfaces tend to be deliberately laid with a rough surface and they then rely on traffic wear to smooth that surface down, but in the interim it causes many various problems.

Now no tire manufacturer is going to make their tires just to cope with the UK's dodgy cost saving practises.

This of course is assuming you do actually have a road surface where you are driving.

When my Contis are done I will be changing them for Goodyear Eagle F1's.

Did the same to my S6 and it was like a new car. Loads of grip and quiet to boot.

Anyone notice excessive wear on one side of the rear tires with this noise ? I was talking to a guy with a Mk2 vRS who has worn a rear set of tires in just 12k miles, on the inside of the tire.

Seems excessive. Maybe worthwhile keeping an eye on it.

Can't say I have noticed excessive tyre noise - I have the Conti Sports like most others.

Am thinking I need to swap them round though to maximise their life.

Will check on the insides for excessive wear later.

I have test driven both the TFSI and TDI Octavia vRS recently and tyre noise is something I picked up on. Both cars had 18" upgrade wheels, the TFSI had the OE Zenith wheels that I think are 7.5J but the TDI had OE accessory 'B14' style that are 8J (D*** B******* for style). Both had Conti Contact Sport tyres.

I didn't particularly notice anything on the TFSI, but then It was only a short drive at slow speeds and the salesman and I kept talking.

However, in the TDI I went out for about 30 mins on open roads and cut the chat. Road roar/tyre noise was something I particularly noticed from 40mph upward to the extent that it was the dominant noise from the car unless I gave the engine FULL throttle when engine roar took over. The other aspect is that the ride was really quite, almost too, firm.

This is something that has been nagging me and I wanted to ask, are the 18" wheels an upgrade too far and is the car quieter and softer on the standard 17"s? Is there any benefit to the handling/grip on the 18s or are the 17s (with 225/45s) really quite good enough? :confused:

Tyre choice I know from experience can often be critical.

I fitted my present Fabia (1.4mpi) with vRS 16" wheels with OE 205/45 Michelin Pilot Primacys. I later swapped the Primacys for Michelin Pilot Exalto 2s in 195/45 (to get the gearing nearer to that of the 185/60 14s that are OE in the 1.4). Even though the 195/45s have shorter sidewalls they are quieter and more compliant than the 205/45 Primacys. Also, even though they are narrower 195 not 205 they grip better particularly in the wet.

SO; on balance, is the 18" wheel upgrade worth it or is it better to stay on the standard 17s and spend the £450+ saved on something else (Superchip upgrade to 205 bhp/310 ft lb on the TDI perhaps)?

Does anybody know if the sound insulation is the same on all Octavia II models?

Is it improved as you go up the model range, or for the diesels for instance?

I find the tyre noise excessive also which spoils an otherwise great car. Has anyone comapired a similar combinationn on say a BMW ?

Anyone notice excessive wear on one side of the rear tires with this noise ? I was talking to a guy with a Mk2 vRS who has worn a rear set of tires in just 12k miles, on the inside of the tire.

Seems excessive. Maybe worthwhile keeping an eye on it.

Had he checked the tyre pressures from new, the dealers have a tendancy to forget to check them on the PDI and supply the car with the pressures way too high

You may also want to consider having a wheel alignment check. Had mine checked with a new set of tyres and the alignment was a fair way out. I believe there is also a service bulltetin fron Skoda which suggests changing the rear camber setting beacause of the problem of excessive tyre wear!!!.

I might also be worth checking -

Octavia-vRS.com - Octavia A5 Common or Known Problems and Issues

Olski

follow this link it my help

Tyre summer : tyre selling summer any brand

Had he checked the tyre pressures from new, the dealers have a tendancy to forget to check them on the PDI and supply the car with the pressures way too high

You may also want to consider having a wheel alignment check. Had mine checked with a new set of tyres and the alignment was a fair way out. I believe there is also a service bulltetin fron Skoda which suggests changing the rear camber setting beacause of the problem of excessive tyre wear!!!.

I had mentioned that to him alright, as mine was high (and another owners was over 40psi, he thought the Mk1 handling was better until I pointed that out ) but would that not have shown up wear more in the centre...assuming the camber was correct. My money is on the camber, like VRStu's link.

The other thing is he uses it for work and carries a fair bit around, but he never had any issues with the 4 mk1 vRS he had.

Anybody had any experience of Goodyear "Excelence" tyres here?

How do they compare with Michelin Pilot Premacy?

I had mentioned that to him alright, as mine was high (and another owners was over 40psi, he thought the Mk1 handling was better until I pointed that out ) but would that not have shown up wear more in the centre...assuming the camber was correct. My money is on the camber, like VRStu's link.

The other thing is he uses it for work and carries a fair bit around, but he never had any issues with the 4 mk1 vRS he had.

Maybe that is because his previous RS had a beam axle and now the new RS has independent suspension which the camber changes for better road handling. May i suggest a Roomster for carrying work loads !!!!

Hi Olski,

Joining this thread quite late, but if you are still looking at replies ...

I was also bothered by high tyre/road noise from the factory-fit 225/45x17 inch Dunlop Sport SP01 tyres on my 2.0 TDI Elegance estate (Pegasus alloys) - they also only did 20,000 miles before wearing out. I spent about 6 months researching low-noise tyres on the internet car forums etc. I eventually chose Yokohama Advan Db1 tyres - specifically designed for reduced noise. They were about