I started a thread called "Bridgestone Tyres" which is slightly interesting.

Just had 1st new set of tyres on my VRS. As rear tyres had worn on inside edge, and road noise had worsened, I also had wheel geom checked with laser system. Camber was way out! So it's now like driving a different car...still some, but a lot less road noise.

Had exactly the same problem with my series 1 VRS, so my advice to you all is to get wheel geom checked...and my advice to Skoda is to set up the geom correctly in the factory in the 1st place, and save our ears any money!!

Correct wheel alignment is crucial, especially when running on wide tyres, so make sure you use a specialist!

It is impossible to miss the tyre noise (I have Octy II vRS with 17" Bridgestones from the factory). Above 70mph on majority of surfaces it is ridiculous. I can't believe more of the road test reports/more of the drivers on this forum don't mention it more. went out in friend's 54 plate Merc C220 CDI fitted with optional Sport 18" alloys and 245 width tyres (on same roads I use) yesterday and there was virtually NO tyre noise (he has Continentals fitted).

Fred

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.

My rears were worn in 10k..inside edges, but have you seen the camber angle of the back wheels? :eek:

The Conti's are noisy, lack grip, and initial traction on take off is very poor. I have tried Goodyear Eagle F1 gsd 3's, and although I'm not concerned with noise, only grip, I noticed they were immediately quieter, and the car handled ALOT better. The set that are on now, I went wider, to 235/40/18 on TOYO T1R's, and they are excellent. Wet grip is beyond comprehension, noise is low, and they don't really break the bank.

Even on the less powerful Fabia, the Continentals are a waste of time. Awful tyres.

I collect my Octy vRS tomorrow with Michelin Pilot Exalto 2s in 225/40 18 fitted.

I have used them to good effect on my Fabia and can give an opinion (good I hope) on them as fitted to an Octavia in a few days.

I have ordered up a set of Toyo T1R as they are supposed to be quiet. Having driven a Fabia on them before, I remember them being a lot quieter than the Contis that my car came with new. I have since had Kumho KU31, which are a little quieter than the Contis but only just.

Having the Toyos fitted hopefully Saturday and will report back on the tyre noise aspect here. PM me if I forget.

Chris

This site rates for tyre noise amongst other factors:

http://www.tyretest.com/

My rears were worn in 10k..inside edges, but have you seen the camber angle of the back wheels? :eek:

I swapped my fronts and rears a few weeks back, theres was a very even wear across the original rears so I think my camber is okay. Although I don't carry any rear rear load so dunno if that might affect it.

would agree about the sp01's I got them on mine...they seem very edgy on rough roads... and don't grip that well either..

My rears were worn in 10k..inside edges, but have you seen the camber angle of the back wheels? :eek:

That is a known issue Dave - with a fix as well

Update on tyre noise as promised. I had the Toyos fitted to the Fabia vRS today and the tyre noise is reduced quite a bit as expected. It is still there, but noticably quieter than Contis or Kumhos.

Will put a review up when they have settled in a bit.

Chris

That is a known issue Dave - with a fix as well

Care to explain?

Care to explain?

There is a service bulletin I believe which recomends changing camber values slightly.

Ah. I detailed the car today and I noticed a bit of camber myself.

Just taken delivery of my vRS Octavia with Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 tyres in 225/40 18 size (fitted by Event Tyres www.event-tyres.co.uk).

Having got home after a 30 mile/45 min drive I reflected on the car and how chuffed I am with it. Then thought there was something missing, tyre noise!!

Compared with the Contis fitted to my dealer's demonstrator where there was one overriding factor about the car which was tyre noise - the Michelins, whilst not totally quiet, allow you to enjoy the rest of the car.

I'm going for Toyo T1-R 235-35-R18 next for sure.

I'm going for Toyo T1-R 235-35-R18 next for sure.

I would'nt go for 235-35's if I were you. Personally I'd stick with 225-40's but if you're going to change then 235-40's is the correct choice, surely?.

Sorry you are correct, its 235 40 18

There is a service bulletin I believe which recomends changing camber values slightly.

What are the pre and post TSB camber values? When my car was in for a wheel bearing they also changed the rear camber values and now despite very conservative mainly motorway driving they've worn faster toward the outside edge.

What are the pre and post TSB camber values? When my car was in for a wheel bearing they also changed the rear camber values and now despite very conservative mainly motorway driving they've worn faster toward the outside edge.

The details are here:- Octavia-vRS.com - Octavia A5 Common or Known Problems and Issues first item.

Just taken delivery of my vRS Octavia with Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 tyres in 225/40 18 size (fitted by Event Tyres www.event-tyres.co.uk).

Having got home after a 30 mile/45 min drive I reflected on the car and how chuffed I am with it. Then thought there was something missing, tyre noise!!

Compared with the Contis fitted to my dealer's demonstrator where there was one overriding factor about the car which was tyre noise - the Michelins, whilst not totally quiet, allow you to enjoy the rest of the car.

That sounds really encouraging!. Do you know what the difference is between Pilot Sport 2s and the Pilot Exalto 2s - they seem identical in price?

I think I might splash out if it really makes that much difference in reduced noise compared to the Contis ;-)

That sounds really encouraging!. Do you know what the difference is between Pilot Sport 2s and the Pilot Exalto 2s - they seem identical in price?

I think I might splash out if it really makes that much difference in reduced noise compared to the Contis ;-)

Sorry but I don't know the specific difference between the Pilot Sport 2s and Pilot Exalto 2s other than the Exaltos are designed for 'Hot Hatch' cars e.g.Octy, Golf GTi, Renault Clio/Megane etc whereas the Sports are for 'Performance' cars e.g. Boxter/911 and all.

Makefish has Pilot Sport 2s on his vRS Octy and spoke quite well of them when I met him on Friday. I was using the Exaltos to good effect on my Fabia and Evo magazine put them on their Astra VXR having used them on a Clio 197, giving them good recommendation. I suspect the Exaltos may give a quieter & more compliant ride (they are cetainly better that Michelin Primacys I previously had on my Fabia).

At the end of the day all down to personal preference.