Hey All


First forum post on here and only owned my mini for two days so all apologies in advance if am asking a rather generic / stupid question (and I know virtually bugger all about cars )

So previously had a Renault Megane diesel , having finally convinced all concerned a mini is the way forward bought a 2008 mini one that has PIRELLI P3000 175/65 R15 Tyres fitted. I must admit I find the road noise quite intrusive ... (obviously varies dependant on speed/surface but seems a bit omnipresent) are they are any better suggestions for tyres where low noise is high on their list of qualities?! (Ideally not costing a vast fortune)

many thanks simon

Check out Tirerack.com or Discounttire.com. You can read driver reviews of tires you may be interested in.

thank you :-) due to my utter lack of knowledge about what I'd even be looking for I was hoping for some recommendatins of tyres I should consider.. havng read the sticky forum the only recommendation based on noise I could see was for Falken 912 ?

best wishes simon

I had a couple of P3000s in that size fitted to my car and didn't notice any difference from the Michelins I had up till then, so I would doubt that the tyre make/model is the problem. Those are the smallest tyres that can be fitted to the Mini and that helps keep the noise down.

It's more likely that it's the Mini that is the noisy part, not the tyres. My convertible has a lot of tyre noise, but I don't think the hatchback is hugely quieter.

Obvious things are: have you got the rear seat up and is the parcel shelf in place? Those both reduce noise from the rear of the cabin - and I think it's from the rear that tyre noise is most noticeable.

But fundamentally I think you've changed from a quiet car to a noisy one.

thanks Angib ... ah the answer I was fearing I must admit ! a lot of the reviews kept saying how nice and quiet the mini one 1.4 is test drove a couple round town and the noise wasn't to noticeable ..only on the daily trip to work noticed it.. the rear seats are up (although both shot forward when I braked sharply !) ..

p.s yeah the noise is definitely most noticeable from the rear

Unusually I drove my convertible some distance recently with the rear seats down but the hood up and on some sections of the M1 the noise from the rear tyres made me think I had a problem and I even checked them over at a stop.

German engineers seem to be rather deaf to road noise, I think because German roads generally have a much smoother surface, so you going from a French car to a German (-designed) car is likely to show a difference.

Well I am running run flat tires size 205/45/17. I only had 12,000 mi. on my last set of tires but the noise was obnoxiously loud I just couldn't stand it anymore. Those tires were the Kumho Ecsta or whatever, they were Kumho run flat tires. Yesterday I installed Pirelli P Zero run flats and I feel like I have a new car. All the noise is gone and even an odd vibration sound is gone as well!

Well I am running run flat tires size 205/45/17. I only had 12,000 mi. on my last set of tires but the noise was obnoxiously loud I just couldn't stand it anymore. Those tires were the Kumho Ecsta or whatever, they were Kumho run flat tires. Yesterday I installed Pirelli P Zero run flats and I feel like I have a new car. All the noise is gone and even an odd vibration sound is gone as well!


thanks for the feedback..at least theres some hope then ! Im guessing my p3000 aren't runflats ... I had heard that runflats where noiser than traditional tyres ?

~simon:)

Run Flats shouldn't be noisier but definitely a firm ride...

staring to deeply fall out of love with my mini and I've had it less than a week.. the road noise in unbearable and takes away all the fun :-( someone save me before I have to go back to something generic boring and soulless !

Just had my mini clubman a week after having a Golf Bluemotion, tyre noise and harsh ride is an issue. Im in the process of doing the following. taking off the 17" Hankook shod tyres (ill store them) putting on ebay sourced 15" alloys with 175x65x15 tyres. Asymetric tread pattern not directional and with a softer sidewall. Ill lose response but should be back to a quiet life. Winter tyres would be a further step as they have a softer compound, but will wear quicker and the deeper tread might generate more trapped air noise. Might be worth considering if it bothers you that much.

Just had my mini clubman a week after having a Golf Bluemotion, tyre noise and harsh ride is an issue. Im in the process of doing the following. taking off the 17" Hankook shod tyres (ill store them) putting on ebay sourced 15" alloys with 175x65x15 tyres. Asymetric tread pattern not directional and with a softer sidewall. Ill lose response but should be back to a quiet life. Winter tyres would be a further step as they have a softer compound, but will wear quicker and the deeper tread might generate more trapped air noise. Might be worth considering if it bothers you that much.

thanks for the reply :-) I have tinnitus so for me the noise is the overriding factor .. I spoke to blackcircles and they recommended Yokohama A.Drive as they where a soft compound... the lady there mentioned the pirelli is noisy because it HAS a deep tread pattern (presumably because of the trapped air noise you mention)

again many thanks


simon

Coincidence! i have tinitus as well have done for 10 years or more, habituated to it now but i know what you mean about some noises especially tyre noise of the hissing variety, and turning the radio up doesnt work as the brain just makes the feedback louder. Not strickly about tyre noise but it does affect the condition and a lot of drivers have it. Good luck with your quest but taller tyres will help.

just read your post again, a soft compound will work well in the winter, it will be abit vague in the summer, being composed of rubber with no silica. if its got an asymetric pattern it could be the answer.

just read your post again, a soft compound will work well in the winter, it will be abit vague in the summer, being composed of rubber with no silica. if its got an asymetric pattern it could be the answer.

fingers crossed !! thanks for all the advice..muchly appreciated

Pirelli P Zero. I just put them on and took a 1,000 mile trip and felt like I was in a new car. Every once in a while you notice that your are not noticing anything...the obnoxious noise is gone.

P Zero not P Zero Nero or Rossi and I am running 205/45/17 run flats.