Looking for an opinion/guess as to what might be wrong with my car (2016 Superb 2.0 TDI DSG Estate).

There's a wheel baring like noise (or so I'm told), more noticeable at low speeds (it can be heard/felt at as low as 10 mph, perhaps even lower than that), as in high speeds it's suppress by wind/tyre noise. The peculiar thing is that the noise doesn't change when you shift the load around (turning sharply or gradually at any speed). It's a low pitched noise, it's somewhat rhythmic and it has a slight vibration associated with it.

The other thing is that the noise doesn't disappear when I shift to Neutral (in fact it's easier to hear). 

I'll take it to the shop eventually, but I'd appreciate any suggestions.

Sounds like the uneven tyre wear on the rear tyres. You may need to get down on hands and knees to check the inner edges of the rear tyres for wear.

 

Take a look at this 

 

Sounds like sawtooth wear on rear axle. A wide spread issue on many VAG models. 
Just try to swap your front/rear wheels. This should disappear within 500km. If still there, then swap front left/right wheels (if non unidirectionnal tyres, of course).

This is well explained in workshop manuals, chapter « wheels & tyres » (free download on cardiagn.com).

To check this is effectively sawtooth wear, on right side, pass your hand CCW on the tyre and you´ll feel the teeth. On the left side pass your hand CW.

Edited 8 May, 20233 yr by Bap33

I failed to mention that I have two sets of wheels, and sound is present on both, furthermore I do rotate them when I change them for the season.

Then, it may be a bearing problem, indeed.

Front or rear?

 

It might be inaccurate, but seems to be coming from the front.

Does it do it when going slow and during any sort of steering adjustment when manoeuvring?  

If it is wheel bearing, try this:-

 

Jack the wheels up,

Spin one wheel at a time,

Put your hand on the corresponding wheel's road spring and feel for any vibration.

Check and compare the fronts to each other, then try the rears.

Sometimes you can hear it as well.

 

Thanks. AG Falco

It sounds like your 2016 Superb 2.0 TDI DSG Estate is experiencing a low-pitched, rhythmic noise with slight vibration, noticeable even at low speeds and unaffected by shifting loads or moving into Neutral. Although it has the characteristics of a classic wheel bearing failure, the fact that the noise doesn't change while cornering slightly complicates the diagnosis, as worn bearings typically get louder or quieter depending on load direction. Other possibilities could include an issue with the tires (such as cupping or uneven wear), driveshaft bearings, or even DSG transmission-related components still spinning while coasting. However, given the description, wheel bearings are still a strong suspect and should be carefully inspected first, especially since bearing noise can sometimes behave unpredictably depending on how worn they are.

Welcome.

The thread was started 2 years ago and the last post was back then.

21 hours ago, Marguerite05 said:

It sounds like your 2016 Superb 2.0 TDI DSG Estate is experiencing a low-pitched, rhythmic noise with slight vibration, noticeable even at low speeds and unaffected by shifting loads or moving into Neutral. Although it has the characteristics of a classic 23056 CCK/W33 bearing failure, the fact that the noise doesn't change while cornering slightly complicates the diagnosis, as worn bearings typically get louder or quieter depending on load direction. Other possibilities could include an issue with the tires (such as cupping or uneven wear), driveshaft bearings, or even DSG transmission-related components still spinning while coasting. However, given the description, wheel bearings are still a strong suspect and should be carefully inspected first, especially since bearing noise can sometimes behave unpredictably depending on how worn they are.

Wheel bearings can indeed fail in ways that don’t follow the textbook symptoms, especially if wear is uneven or the bearing preload is affected. Tire cupping or chopped tread blocks can easily mimic bearing noises and vibrations, particularly if it’s a rhythmic, droning sound. Rotating the tires front to back can help isolate that. The DSG transmission, especially in the 2.0 TDI models, does continue to spin some internal components even when coasting in Neutral — so internal shaft bearings or flywheel chatter can be involved, but that’s a more involved (and less common) failure mode.