New Avensis Road Noise - Tyre Type

[Realistbear]

Yikes, not just the report above but another review rates the Vreds as extremely quiet:

http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-tests?term=vr...tein-sportrac-2

Vredestein Sportrac 2

The Vredestein Sportrac 2 is designed as a sports tyre and is built for speed.

The tyre performs well in wet and dry and, for a summer tyre, it even performs well in the snow.

The tyre is

very quiet

and responsive.

As an added benefit, it is attractive as well.

Vredestein is best known for its winter tyres, but the Sportrac 2 is an example of its proficiency in all-around performance.

http://www.etyres.co.uk/tyre-tests-news/vr...uto-express.htm</a>

Tyre Tests News 21Jul05:

Vredestein Sportrac 2 Tops Auto Express Test

Auto Express magazine has named the Vredestein Sportac 2 as tyre test winner in its 2005 Product Honours report. Goodyear’s Hydragrip and the Barum Bravaris were also commended.

.../

The tyres were tested at Continental’s Uvalde, Texas, test track with particular attention paid to the tyres’ wet performance. Braking, handling, cornering and aquaplaning characteristics were all assessed. In addition the tyres were examined for braking, handling and

in-car noise

on dry sections of the track. Meanwhile the product’s rolling resistance was examined at Conti’s Hanover research centre. Finally, average prices compiled from 12 outlets were taken into consideration.

The Vreds also won the best overall tyre award in 2006 according to Auto-Express and beat Michelin for noise:

http://www.tyremen.co.uk/downloads/Auto_Express2006.pdf

Judging by our postbag and E-mail inbox, noise

is a more important consideration than virtually

anything else for most motorists. Ever quieter and

refined vehicles mean that any sound coming from

the tyres is much more noticeable and potentially irritating

Road noise is also a key part in a driver’s

assessment of ride comfort – a loud tyre can feel

rough as well. The sound is measured in decibels

(dB(a)). However, don’t be fooled by our apparently

close results, as a cut of only 3dB(a) equates

to around half the noise level.

Results

In-car noise

1st Matador 70.1dBa

2nd Goodyear 70.5dBa

2nd Hankook 70.5dBa

2nd Maxxis 70.5dBa

5th Pirelli 70.7dBa

5th A von 70.7dBa

7th Vredestein 70.9dBa

7th Continental 70.9dBa

9th Marshal 71.1dBa

9th T oyo 71.1dBa

9th Bridgestone 71.1dBa

12th Michelin 71.3dBa

13th Marangoni 71.4dBa

14th Dunlop 71.5dBa

15th Yokohama 71.6dBa

Overall verdict

It may have new Russian owners,

but Dutch maker

Vredestein has

retained its ability to produce a

winning tyre. For the third year in

a row,

it takes our crown, this time

with the new S portrac 3, which

again stars on wet surfaces and did

enough in the other disciplines to

maintain that advantage to the

end. A great tyre at a good price.

Conclusion: There is apparently nothing wrong with the tyres--the Avensis is just a very noisy car!

Anyone got any ideas about sound insulation measures such as felt or other padding?

[goran_T4]

[

My 53 plate was a saloon. The 07 is a hatch and is much quieter!

I don't know what mods Toyota have made but they do work. The only answer I could find to the problem on the 53 version was to change the wheels to 16". :D

Out of interest, is there a need to worry about speedometer if I decide to change tyres on my T4 from current 17"-215/45 to :

16" - 205/55 (I think these are standard on T2 (non alloys) and T3-S and T3-X)

According to my calculation the difference is 7mm bigger diammeter for 16"- 205/55 (1.12% increase).

Or in other words, can T3X ot T3S wheels be fitted on T4 without any worries about speedometer adjustments or having enough space to fit the wheels?

To be honest, I love my Feb'04 T4, but think that the wheels are pointless: road noise is excessive and not comfortable when driving over speed humps where I live.

Regards

Goran

[uumode]

has anyone rode in a 2007 17inch alloy wheel shod BMW 3 series?

that I'd say has more road noise than the Avensis because of it's run flat tyres.

I do notice the noise a bit, but don't think it is excessively noiser, and it's quieter on the motorway than my Mercedes E class on 16 inch with much more rubber than the low profiles on the Avensis. (Some body else with an E class also said their Avensis was quieter)

..and E Class is supposed to be the best in class?

[dark andrew]

One of the changes Toyota have made to the 07 Avensis is to change the specification for the tyres on the 17" wheels. They now fit 215/50 tyres instead of 215/45, this gives the tyre about 11mm more sidewall. In the end I got fed up with the road noise and the harsh ride (the roads down here are aweful and do not suit low profile tyres) and bought a set of 16" wheels. Comparing 16" to 17", the 16s are quieter and less harsh but the handling isn't as sharp and the traction control seems to cut in earlier. Was the change worth it? It depends what you want ... is your priority good, quick handling or a quiet, comfortable ride? Plus the 17" wheels do look a whole lot better.

[Stelios]

On my 2007 Avensis the tires fitted are Dunlop 205/55R 91V. I have no noise problem but I don't think that the tires have something to do.

Stelios

[T3X]

I just drove back from the dealer after having the air-con fixed and the noise from the tyres really is horrendous--even at low speed. On inspection, I see that the car is fitted with Dutch VREDESTEIN Sportrac 2 205-55-R16s.* My local tyre dealer said these were expensive and the "sportrac" designation confirms they are built for handling more than quiet cruising.

Does anyone think that by dumping the VRedesteins and purchasing Michelin Primacys or Pirelli 6000s that the noise issue would be improved enough to justify new tyres (the tyres on the car are not that old)?

Apart from the noise this is a very good car!

If anyone is interested in buying an almost new set of sporty, albeit noisy, tyres let me know! I live near Redditch-Alcester in South Warcks.

__________________________

* http://www.blackcircles.com/tyres/vredestein

Vredestein Sportrac 2

The Vredestein Sportrac 2 is a text book sports tyre. Built for speed some of the benefits of this tyre are that it is extremely quiet, it is very responsive in the wet and winter weather and it looks good. Vredestein have been building tyres for the European winter tyre market for years, and they are successful at it and ell respected. The Vredestein Sportrac 2 tyre is a direct competitor for the many mid market performance tyres and we feel it lets itself down as it is hard to get hold of Vrederstein tyres and when you eventually do they are quite expensive. We would recommend a Toyo Proxes T1-R or a GT Champiro for the price conscious of you.

[T3X]

I have an 53 plate Avensis T3X D4D. The factory fit Bridgestones were acceptable for noise, but after 18000 miles had Dunlops fitted to the front. The noise levels greatly increased. At 40000 miles I had all the tyres replaced with Continental SportContact 2's. These have drastically reduced the road noise, even better than the Bridgestones.

[Steve Price]

I have just started driving my new Avensis D4D Tspirit

The car itself is brilliant, comfortable and a pleasure to drive, my one complaint for the car is the amount of road noise on some road surfaces. I've just changed from a Hdi Xantia, this was much quieter.

I have the 17" 10 spoke alloys with the low profile tyre fitted with Dunlop SP3000 215/45/R17

Is this road noise normal for these tyres ?

Has anyone changed their tyres to find an improvement in the amount of road noise ?

If so which tyre do you use now ?

[Steve Price]

I have just started driving my new Avensis D4D Tspirit

The car itself is brilliant, comfortable and a pleasure to drive, my one complaint for the car is the amount of road noise on some road surfaces. I've just changed from a Hdi Xantia, this was much quieter.

I have the 17" 10 spoke alloys with the low profile tyre fitted with Dunlop SP3000 215/45/R17

Is this road noise normal for these tyres ?

Has anyone changed their tyres to find an improvement in the amount of road noise ?

If so which tyre do you use now ?

Hi I reached the point with my '06 Avensis to purchase a different car or change the Brigestone tyres as the constant drumming/ road noise from the tyres was intolerable, especially on the motorway. I had been used to the refinement of a Vecta CDX, and the noise came as quite a shock. The dealers said it was a problem and Toyota Customer Service did not want to know. So I shopped around and got 4 Michelin Primacy tyres from National Tyres for £300, and what a difference!! Mind you I also feel the Avensis does not have the sound proofing/ noise reduction that a Vectra CDX has. Quite a let down as this could be avoided by Toyota.

For Sale 4 Brigestone Tyres...almost new! fortonsteve@yahoo.co.uk

[Venkat k]

the tyre noise problem in my avensis was solved by introducing the damper control system which can cost an additional of 800 pounds. along with this attachment the change in tyres to Dunlop pro 300s will be solved which is only sold in the USA.

[Realistbear]

I wrote (we refuse to do "revenue sharing" 0870 and 0845 numbers) to Toyota a couple of weeks ago to ask if they had any solutions to the road noise--no reply yet. I don't expect one either as they cannot make any admissions to failure.

The bottom line on the noise issue seems to be that this is an unusually noisy car and not at all refined as you would expect for a largish Toyota saloon that is supposed to have Lexus quality. I still like mine though and am quite impressed with the mpg, handling and smooth auto tranny. The dealer did fix the annoying dash squeak under warranty so that is one less noise. However, a new noise has taken its place in the form of a loud buzz in the door panels when going over rough roads. If I pull on the side pockets the noise stops.

The real question is would we buy again? The petrol filler cap does not operate on the remote switch and the O/S headlight is all fogged up. I think I might not go with Toyota next time. They are not living up to their reputation unless it is just the Avensis that is letting the brand down.

A very good car let down by poor quality control is my conclusion.

[PIT78]

Hey, I have a 53 reg T3-X. I have been annoyed by the road noise for a looong time, that is until I had fitted a new set of Pirelli P7 205/55/16 tyres. The previous set were Michelin Pilot Primacies the car had since birth.

The difference is just AMAZING. There is NO ROAD NOISE at all!!!! Not even a tat

All I can hear now is the engine revs and a bit of wind on those windy days...

Rgds,

Pete

[Pjotr]

I have used Millennium (asymetrical) on my old Volvos and fitted the same to the car a few months ago, works fine and is quiet enough for me, cheap too, £60 each fitted, this is for 215/5591V on 16rims.

[Chris Dance]

One of the reasons I have just changed my Avensis T4 53 plate to a Prius hybrid was due to excessive road noise. The dealer said low profile tyres always give lots of road noise. The Prius is much quieter and rides better of road humps that pleases my wife as she suffers with back pain.

[Pingman21]

I picked up a 55 T3-X estate at a fair price a few weeks ago and the front tyre noise is driving me insane.

16" or 17" and even different tyres has made no difference at all, it's as if there is absolutely no sound insulation in the front.

Strange as I hear no noise from the rear!