Anyone got experience of switching from UHP to Touring tyres

[Ian3320]

Hi All,

I’m trying to reduce road noise in my m240i (as well as a toy, I also use the car for a long commute over sh*ty coarse chips roads which = LOUD tyre noise.)

I’m already running Goodyear Asymmetric 5 tyres (225/40/18 front and 245/35/18 rear) which are pretty quiet performance tyres.

Had the idea of switching to winter size 225/45/17 front and rear which should make it a touch quieter but I’m
Looking for big drops in noise. Wondered if switching to a touring tyre like Goodyear Efficient Grip Performance 2 or Michelin Primacy 4 in the smaller winter size might make the big drop?? Anyone been there and done it/similar?

Before people suggest it, I have already sound proofed the back of the car and doors which made little difference.

[anonymous-user]

The Goodyears aren't noisy tyres, any improvements you see will be marginal. Ultimately the problem is that you have the expensive version of a cheap car, the bigger models have a lot more attention (and money) spent on reducing NVH. I'd suggest buying a cheap 5 series for a commuting slag to save wasting your good car on it, but they're all stupid money at the moment.

I've swapped from the Assymetric 3 to various touring tyres on a few different cars and got benefits in economy and tyre life but I can't say I noticed any meaningful difference in noise. I did find the Pirelli Cinturato P7 Blue lasted forever. easily 50% longer than whatever the Michelin touring tyre was a few years ago.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 11th October 23:10

[Haltamer]

Perhaps worth getting the interior out and doing some sound deadening.

If you layer deadening sheet with absorbing foam, you'll see an impressive level of performance, especially if you wrap key areas like the rear wheel arches, boot floors / under rear seat area (Not so applicable on the 2 series) and any other flat metal surfaces you can get to.

As above, I'd say you're probably at the limit for gains you'll make on tyres alone, and being that you're already at 18" I doubt you can reduce wheel size any further on a 240i - I've found that dropping the wheel size has really helped road noise on my FK8.

Another one to try is additional door sealing, however that's a bit of a challenge with the frameless windows on the 240.

[The spinner of plates]

If it annoys you I’d just get a different car better suited to your requirements.

[Ian3320]

Thanks all, useful information. Funnily enough the reason for posting was to help decide between making the 2 quieter or swapping to a 5 series. This has helped. I’m thinking F10 535d will be inbound shortly!
Thanks again all:-)

[Smint]

Whenever i've soundproofed cars its invariably over the rear wheelarches, under the rear seats and in the boot area of hatches and estates where the most noise comes from, removing trim and rear seats (especially tilters) can reveal next to no sound deadening material at all.

All season tyres have proved as quiet as anything else in my experience but haven't tried the latest designs such as Cross Climates or their premium make equivalents.
Vredestein Quatracs/Wintracs have always been reliably quiet to me as well as offering superb grip in the wet season.

[stevieturbo]

Sounds like a fairly new car ? Can it really be that loud ?

[Ian3320]

stevieturbo said:

Sounds like a fairly new car ? Can it really be that loud ?

Yes it can! It’s not as loud as the f8x M cars or 911s, but it’s not far off. Sometimes I question myself and think I must be imagining it but then I get into an ordinary hatch back - Ford Focus/ Golf - and they are SOO much quieter, honestly, it’s like a different world.