Road Noise

[freeflyfreak]

Hi,

Not sure where to post this.

I get a lot of road noise, on very smooth asphalt it is OK, but on concrete or textured asphalt the road noise is terrible.

Im guessing the tires are the main culprit any recommendations on a tire that would help minimise the road surface tire noise?
I dont really want to have to ripout the interior and sound deaden the whole car.

[FritzTCoyote]

One solution is to install a really loud intake and exhaust system to drown out the tire noise.

Or just crank up the tunes.

I don't think many of us bought ms3's looking for a quiet ride.

[bacarl]

Sure, look at some vehicle models that are meant to have very quiet rides (Lincoln, Lexus) and pick up some similar tires.

Unfortunately, you will more than likely completely destroy the performance of the MS3, since cars that are meant to be quiet aren't meant to go fast :)

[ericm]

I also find that the road noise can get wearing for long trips on the wrong kind of pavement. Turning up the stereo or making the exhaust louder isn't a good fix as the extra noise will be even more tiring. I use my car both for sporty back road driving and on longer trips to bike races. When you're already beat from a 112 mile race you don't need 7 hours of loud noise on the trip back.

When I wear out the stock tires I'll pay attention to road noise as a factor in choosing a new set. I don't know how much road noise I'll be able to get rid of without compromising handling.

It seems like adding some sound deadening would help with the road noise and with the 3k rpm trailing throttle drone from the exhaust.

[lestat13]

One solution is to install a really loud intake and exhaust system to drown out the tire noise.

Or just crank up the tunes.

I don't think many of us bought ms3's looking for a quiet ride.

The MS3 may be the quietest car I've ever driven, and that's part of the charm!! I've had beaters and slow loud fart-can cars all my life.... the MS3 is the best of all worlds. It's quiet when desired and fast when my foot gets heavy.

[Hyun]

well, cant expect 20k car to do everything.

Probably m3 would have been better suited for your need.

[nhluhr]

There are certain tires on the market that are specifically designed for low road noise. Unfortunately, getting them in the stock size is not possible so if you want to do that, you'll be going with a different tire size. A 17" wheel/tire combo would also go a long way to silencing the car, especially if you get one of said engineered-quiet tires for them.

Beyond that, most interior road noise comes from the rear wheel wells so you wouldn't really have to rip up the whole car to get it relatively quiet.

[Kain]

http://www.hometowninvasion.com/photos/470/IMG_5608.jpg

[bbrich57]

All right guys. He asks a legitimate question in good faith. Either answer it like you know the answer or don't post at all.

FFF,
I have not tried this myself as I don't mind a little road/tire noise, but have read that some loosen the inner fender wells (plastic) and use spray in foam on the underside of it to help quiet road noise. It's supposed to be a trick used on Focus's which are known to be VERY noisy in the wheel/tire department.

[freeflyfreak]

Thanks for your comments, constructive or otherwise.
Im going to see if I can detect where the majority of the sound is coming from.
It is definately road/tire noise, the exhaust noise I can deal with, Im going to try to soundproof the easiest areas first, where I dont have to take the interior out, ie accessible hatch area, possibly wheel wells, maybe firewall.

Quieter tires are definately in my future, not sure if I should replace them now and sell these nearly new or just let them wear out.
Of the tires available in the stock size does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations of tires that they have used which generate less noise than the stockers.
Real suggestions only please, not buy another car, grow a dick, drown the noise with some other noise, or wear earplugs. I already thought of those ;-p

Thanks in advance

[freeflyfreak]

some loosen the inner fender wells (plastic) and use spray in foam on the underside of it to help quiet road noise. It's supposed to be a trick used on Focus's which are known to be VERY noisy in the wheel/tire department.

Do you know what product they use?
Would the foam trap moisture and cause possible corrosion down the road?
You think foam would be better or a stick on product like damplifier?

I see you have a straight 3 I drove it too and it was a fair bit quieter, I dont know if they use more soundproofing in the 3 or if it is just the change in wheel and tire size tire type and suspension stiffer that causes the extra noise.

[nhluhr]

There is nothing in the stock size that will be significantly quieter except maybe the Dunlop SP 5000 or the Kumho SPT.

[freeflyfreak]

There is nothing in the stock size that will be significantly quieter except maybe the Dunlop SP 5000 or the Kumho SPT.

Yes I was just lookng at the tire rack website and thought the Kumho SPT might be quieter just looking at the reviews, its a shame you cant test drive new tires. Guess I will wait for these to wear out. I dont suppose there is much of a market for tires with 300 miles on them?

In that case some soundproofing looks in order, but I am not going to rip the interior out of my brand new car, just do the easly accessible stuff first, hatch area, wheel wells, possibly firewall, hopefully that will reduce it enough.

[tsunami]

i just bought the good year eagle F1's and think they are significantly quieter then the kumho's i had before... i have a mazda3 but i have 18x7.5 rims on it.... so take it for what its worth but i am loving more grip and less noise from these tires.

[bbrich57]

Do you know what product they use?
Would the foam trap moisture and cause possible corrosion down the road?
You think foam would be better or a stick on product like damplifier?

I see you have a straight 3. I drove it too and it was a fair bit quieter, I dont know if they use more soundproofing in the 3 or if it is just the change in wheel and tire size tire type and suspension stiffer that causes the extra noise.

1) I would say, ummmm, nearly anything from the Big Orange (or equivalent) designed for use in the home around windows and doors, though I prefer the DAP products myself.
2) Plastic, as far as I know, doesn't corrode. :)
3) Since the object seems to be to eliminate resonance, I don't think it would matter, though spray foam would certainly be cheaper, sq.ft by sq.ft.
4) Again, I doubt that the NA 3's have more insulation since the weight difference of an MS is about equivalent to what; a) turbo chargers and it's related hardware, b) an LSD, c) a reinforced chassis, d) bigger brakes, and e) rather heavy (imo) 18" wheels weigh in at.
5) And how is it that you were driving MY car w/o my permission?

The Kumho ASX's I am running now are a bargain imo, and of the 3 sets I've run so far (GY RS-A's, Falken ZE-512's,) are the widest (225/45,) the smoothest riding and the quietest of them all.

[freeflyfreak]

2) Plastic, as far as I know, doesn't corrode. :)


Oh OK, I misunderstood (doh), I thought you meant remove the plastic cover and line the underside of the metal wheel well with foam then replace the cover.

Right now Im just weighing options, I am going to do something though, just trying to decide what will have the best effect with the least amount of effort.

[bbrich57]

Just messin' w/ya' fff.
Do you hang glide or fly sail planes?

[freeflyfreak]

Just messin' w/ya' fff.
Do you hang glide or fly sail planes?

Airline pilot and skydiver, just added an avatar.
I used to fly sailplanes 20 years ago, have taken some hang gliding lessons off a large sand dune but nothing serious in that dept.

Im in these skydiving vids a few times if anyone wants to check them out. My jumpsuit has a white body with red and yellow arms just like in the Avatar.....Enjoy!:

http://www.youtube.com/v/jvQ1nu9AudM


http://www.youtube.com/v/C4nm0rN4X3s

[bbrich57]

That's some intense stuff there. Well made vid too.

I used to have a pipe-dream yrs ago when I was younger of learning how to fly a sailplane, but I don't think I could ever throw myself out of a moving plane at 6-10k ft.

What airline? Do you ever fly to Newark or ABE?

[Kain]

I used to have a pipe-dream yrs ago when I was younger of learning how to fly a sailplane, but I don't think I could ever throw myself out of a moving plane at 6-10k ft.

Do it. I'm afraid of heights, but my woman took me skydiving for my birthday last year, and looking back I would've regretted not doing it at least once in my life. Jumped out at 13,000 feet, deployed the 'chute at 6,000. But those first 7,000 feet, you'll never experience anything like it.

[freeflyfreak]

Really considering switching to 17" wheels now, and maybe get some Michelin Primacy MXV4, 215 50 VR 17 tires, rim width would be the same and speedo would remain close to accurate.

1) I dont know anything about wheels, what offset is needed to remain similar to stock setup, dont want any rubbing issues, just a quieter ride.
2) Anyone used these tires?

[freeflyfreak]

There are certain tires on the market that are specifically designed for low road noise. Unfortunately, getting them in the stock size is not possible so if you want to do that, you'll be going with a different tire size. A 17" wheel/tire combo would also go a long way to silencing the car, especially if you get one of said engineered-quiet tires for them.

Beyond that, most interior road noise comes from the rear wheel wells so you wouldn't really have to rip up the whole car to get it relatively quiet.

What would you recommend for an engineered quiet tire that still has some handling?
Michelin Primacy MXV4, Bridgestone Turanza Serenity or Another?

[bbrich57]

1) I don't know anything about wheels, what offset is needed to remain similar to stock setup, don't want any rubbing issues, just a quieter ride.
2) Anyone used these tires? (215 50 VR 17)

As far as the tires you are suggesting is concerned, I have no knowledge or opinion about them.

But a 215/50-17 should be very close to the OE 215/45-18. Revs/mile are 787.26 vs. 792.01 for the 17's. Not bad.

The OE offset is +52.5mm (positive offset) for all 3 series cars. Best if you could stick very close to that. +48, +45 are pretty std in the AM for available wheel offsets. Or like me if you can find a set you can live with, +50mm would be best all around.
Rubbing should not be an issue even if you go less (i.e. +42mm) than that.
The further from the OE STD you deviate, the worse the ride, steering, handling and braking... unless you know how to change the overall factory geometry to compensate.

Offset is the measured distance from the center of the wheel/tire (zero) to the mounting flange. Not to be confused with back-spacing. If there's more wheel on the inside, like our FWD cars, it's considered a positive offset.
If more wheel extends outward, as in most RWD cars, it's a negative offset.

Have you considered using Mazda6 wheels? They have a +60mm offset so I'm told, but should work OK also. The only concern for me would be clearing the brakes.

[whitey4311]

Read my thread about my new Toyo Proxes T1R. Zero road noise to the point of it being scary. I thought I was driving a new car or missing something important after a few highway trips. Also these are one of the few tires that come in the OEM size which is my main reason for getting them.

I had no idea how noisy the OEM tires were until I changed them out and though you will loose some responsiveness I feel it is a fair trade for what I have now.

Read my thread to find out more about them if you like.

[freeflyfreak]

Read my thread about my new Toyo Proxes T1R. Zero road noise to the point of it being scary. I thought I was driving a new car or missing something important after a few highway trips. Also these are one of the few tires that come in the OEM size which is my main reason for getting them.

I had no idea how noisy the OEM tires were until I changed them out and though you will loose some responsiveness I feel it is a fair trade for what I have now.

Read my thread to find out more about them if you like.

Hmmm,

Just re read your thread.
I read it when you started it but from the first few posts it sounded like you didnt really like them, bu it seems they have grown on you.
I wuld definately give up a little handling to get rid of the road noise, and be able to hear my kids talking to me from the back seat. Right now I have to ask them to shout, or turn around to hear them, it could be dangerous.
Stock size would be better for me, wouldnt have to mess with dfferent offsets + whell expense, so I might even try them out now.
With the 500 mile trial, I could try them out, if I like them keep them and sell the OEMs on craigslist, if I dont like them return them and get the OEM tires put back on.

Thanks for your post.

[whitey4311]

Hmmm,

Just re read your thread.
I read it when you started it but from the first few posts it sounded like you didnt really like them, bu it seems they have grown on you.
I wuld definately give up a little handling to get rid of the road noise, and be able to hear my kids talking to me from the back seat. Right now I have to ask them to shout, or turn around to hear them, it could be dangerous.
Stock size would be better for me, wouldnt have to mess with dfferent offsets + whell expense, so I might even try them out now.
With the 500 mile trial, I could try them out, if I like them keep them and sell the OEMs on craigslist, if I dont like them return them and get the OEM tires put back on.

Thanks for your post.


If your major reason for changing the OEM tires this early is for noise you will love the T1r's. They still do everything you want the car to do but just make it feel more relaxed and not so damn go-kartish. There is zero road noise and this seems to be your biggest gripe so I can guarantee you will like them.

Besides if you want less road noise you will have to compromise something to gain that. There is not a tire that wears longer, rides quieter, and still offers the same grip and handling. You have to make compromises and so far the only thing I lost was a rigid side wall that allows the car to react to every twitch from the steering wheel. They still react and do their job but it is certainly more relaxed now and not so twitchy.