Need advice on quiet performance tires
#1
Need advice on quiet performance tires
I'm currently running Toyo T1-S tires on my MINI and while the grip is excellent, the noise level is terrible. They are so loud that friends that ride with me are convinced that my wheel bearings and CV joints are coming apart. I've swapped other wheels and tires onto the car and have verified that the noise is indeed coming from the tires.
I want to replace the Toyos with the stickiest quiet tire available. Or maybe the quietest sticky tire available. I've done a lot of searches in the tire forum and have seen the Avon M500 mentioned several times as being a very quiet tire. I'm unfamiliar with this tire and how it compares to other tires in the performance area.
To summarize and prioritize what I'm looking for:
1. Quiet
2. Dry grip
3. Wet grip
The least important thing to me is tread wear, so possible choices could get into the "track day" tire area and be okay.
Thanks,
John
I want to replace the Toyos with the stickiest quiet tire available. Or maybe the quietest sticky tire available. I've done a lot of searches in the tire forum and have seen the Avon M500 mentioned several times as being a very quiet tire. I'm unfamiliar with this tire and how it compares to other tires in the performance area.
To summarize and prioritize what I'm looking for:
1. Quiet
2. Dry grip
3. Wet grip
The least important thing to me is tread wear, so possible choices could get into the "track day" tire area and be okay.
Thanks,
John
#2
I just got a set of Nokian Zs. I know nobody's heard of them but they are very impressive. Quiet, sticky, great wet traction and a good wear rating. They have just been introduced and a good retailer should be able to get the special introductory price. I paid $99 and was quoted as much as $165 by other places.
#3
#4
Originally Posted by DesignIt
......
I want to replace the Toyos with the stickiest quiet tire available. Or maybe the quietest sticky tire available. .........
To summarize and prioritize what I'm looking for:
1. Quiet
2. Dry grip
3. Wet grip
The least important thing to me is tread wear, so possible choices could get into the "track day" tire area and be okay.
Thanks,
John
I want to replace the Toyos with the stickiest quiet tire available. Or maybe the quietest sticky tire available. .........
To summarize and prioritize what I'm looking for:
1. Quiet
2. Dry grip
3. Wet grip
The least important thing to me is tread wear, so possible choices could get into the "track day" tire area and be okay.
Thanks,
John
#5
Thanks for the recommendations.
I saw where the T1Rs were supposed to be quieter with better grip than the T1-S, but I was a little apprehensive to try another set of Toyos, so I haven't looked into the T1R or RA1s.
I just checked the Toyo website and the RA1s don't come in a wide variety of sizes. I'm currently running 205/45-16s and yes, the speedometer accuracy is way off, but the tires only weigh 18.1 lbs and the gearing is a bit better IMO. The closest I can get in the RA1s is a 205/55-16 at 23 lbs. Maybe I'm being too picky, but thats more than twice what my wheels weigh. I would like to stay with the 205/45-16 or 205/50-16 if possible.
Thanks,
John
I saw where the T1Rs were supposed to be quieter with better grip than the T1-S, but I was a little apprehensive to try another set of Toyos, so I haven't looked into the T1R or RA1s.
I just checked the Toyo website and the RA1s don't come in a wide variety of sizes. I'm currently running 205/45-16s and yes, the speedometer accuracy is way off, but the tires only weigh 18.1 lbs and the gearing is a bit better IMO. The closest I can get in the RA1s is a 205/55-16 at 23 lbs. Maybe I'm being too picky, but thats more than twice what my wheels weigh. I would like to stay with the 205/45-16 or 205/50-16 if possible.
Thanks,
John
#6
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Well I don't know if I am going to be a good judge or not, but I had the T1S mounted for a year and now have the T1R. I didn't really have that much of a noise problem with the T1S, but I sure did wear down the T1S in a year! So far the T1R have been doing very well, wet and dry. It it wasn't so far to TX I would be happy to let you give them a try.
#7
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#10
Originally Posted by Mini Works
Check these out:
I am running 215/40/17 Dunlop FM 901, threadwear 200,
Great grip, not noisy at all and available at a very reasonnable price
I am running 215/40/17 Dunlop FM 901, threadwear 200,
Great grip, not noisy at all and available at a very reasonnable price
#11
Originally Posted by DesignIt
I'm currently running Toyo T1-S tires on my MINI and while the grip is excellent, the noise level is terrible. They are so loud that friends that ride with me are convinced that my wheel bearings and CV joints are coming apart. I've swapped other wheels and tires onto the car and have verified that the noise is indeed coming from the tires.
I want to replace the Toyos with the stickiest quiet tire available. Or maybe the quietest sticky tire available. I've done a lot of searches in the tire forum and have seen the Avon M500 mentioned several times as being a very quiet tire. I'm unfamiliar with this tire and how it compares to other tires in the performance area.
To summarize and prioritize what I'm looking for:
1. Quiet
2. Dry grip
3. Wet grip
The least important thing to me is tread wear, so possible choices could get into the "track day" tire area and be okay.
Thanks,
John
I want to replace the Toyos with the stickiest quiet tire available. Or maybe the quietest sticky tire available. I've done a lot of searches in the tire forum and have seen the Avon M500 mentioned several times as being a very quiet tire. I'm unfamiliar with this tire and how it compares to other tires in the performance area.
To summarize and prioritize what I'm looking for:
1. Quiet
2. Dry grip
3. Wet grip
The least important thing to me is tread wear, so possible choices could get into the "track day" tire area and be okay.
Thanks,
John
#12
#13
Originally Posted by paulr
What about the Goodyear F1 GS-D3?? Can some one comment on their noise level compared to the factory performance Dunlop RFs?
#14
I can't speak for the Goodyears, but my Toyo T1-S makes a whirring noise similar to offroad truck tires, but not quite as loud. I've wondered if one of those variables that you mentioned might include sidewall height. It seems like the shorter and stiffer the sidewall, the more noise might be transmitted.
Thanks for all the recommendations so far,
John
P.S. You might enjoy seeing what tires and wheels I temporarily put on the MINI that verified how noisy the Toyos were:
These are Yokohama Advan A048s with wheels from a Lotus Elise. I took the photo from this angle so it wouldn't be so obvious that I had 16" on front and 17" on the rear. Hey, it was just for testing purposes anyway. These tires were extremely quiet compared to the Toyo T1-S.
Thanks for all the recommendations so far,
John
P.S. You might enjoy seeing what tires and wheels I temporarily put on the MINI that verified how noisy the Toyos were:
These are Yokohama Advan A048s with wheels from a Lotus Elise. I took the photo from this angle so it wouldn't be so obvious that I had 16" on front and 17" on the rear. Hey, it was just for testing purposes anyway. These tires were extremely quiet compared to the Toyo T1-S.
#16
#17
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My vote goes out to the BFGoodrich KDW-2. I had them on my Jetta (1.8T modified). I used to be able to spin through 2nd, but once I switch the the KDW-2's, they would only chirp. I previously had Michelin Pilot Sports...loud as hell, and they would just spin. At $225 a piece for the Pilot Sports, I opted for the much cheaper BFGoodrich tires (I think $145 a piece).
I've also heard good things about Avon Tires. Check them out if BFGoodrich isn't the way you want to go
I've also heard good things about Avon Tires. Check them out if BFGoodrich isn't the way you want to go
#18
DesingIt,
I had the exact same citeria as you and choose Goodyear F1's. I was very conscious of tire noise for the 46 miles the Dunlop’s were on the car and can say the F1's are notably quieter. I have 850 miles on mine and just ordered a second set, because of tire racks sale price of 95 vs 146 three weeks ago...
I had the exact same citeria as you and choose Goodyear F1's. I was very conscious of tire noise for the 46 miles the Dunlop’s were on the car and can say the F1's are notably quieter. I have 850 miles on mine and just ordered a second set, because of tire racks sale price of 95 vs 146 three weeks ago...
#21
Originally Posted by MSFITOY
40...I anticipate that I will have to trim some fenders...
#22
Originally Posted by DesignIt
I think that's a fair assumption. Check out the attached photo showing tire and fender clearance. The Lotus wheels are 31mm offset front, and 38mm rear. The front tires are 195/50-16 and the rear are 225/45-17. I didn't push it too hard in the corners when I was trying these tires.