NMB123 Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 Hi all, I have just purchased a nearly new A3 Sportback with 2,600 on the clock from an Audi dealer. I am surprised by the amount of road noise that I have encountered on a recent 200 mile round trip to the Midlands from London. The car is running on Bridgestone Turanza tyres (18 inch) and the actual tyre noise itself does not seem excessive. However, the vibrations from the road are creating a reverberating droning noise which is present at all speeds but worse at over 60 mph and gets worse the rougher the road surface. The noise is present even when the car is in neutral and is coasting, so I do not think it can be the engine or transmission. It is really irritating and is spoiling the enjoyment of what, otherwise, is a very nice car. Has anyone else experienced this and is there a cure? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevey Y Posted March 21 Share Posted March 21 48 minutes ago, NMB123 said: Hi all, I have just purchased a nearly new A3 Sportback with 2,600 on the clock from an Audi dealer. I am surprised by the amount of road noise that I have encountered on a recent 200 mile round trip to the Midlands from London. The car is running on Bridgestone Turanza tyres (18 inch) and the actual tyre noise itself does not seem excessive. However, the vibrations from the road are creating a reverberating droning noise which is present at all speeds but worse at over 60 mph and gets worse the rougher the road surface. The noise is present even when the car is in neutral and is coasting, so I do not think it can be the engine or transmission. It is really irritating and is spoiling the enjoyment of what, otherwise, is a very nice car. Has anyone else experienced this and is there a cure? Thanks Hi buy smaller wheels with higher profile tyres, 17inch, thats the main function of pneumatics it subjugates the road noise from the surfaces, unfortunately people only want BIG wheels with lower profile tyres for which there is a penalty, normally extra road noise, anything under a 50 profile will exhibit this problem. Steve. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMB2024 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 Thanks for your reply. I'll investigate that option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnet Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 Hello Nick, As Stevey says. I been putting a dampener on anything to do with large wheels for some time, since the trend seems to be for the largest wheels and the skinniest tyres - because they look good. Yet, you cannot see the wheels when you are sat in the car, but you are the one who suffers the adverse ride quality. Add to the potential of harder sidewalls, probably XL etc. and everything gets magnified. An equally aged friend found the ride to be not to his liking on an S.Line with skinny tyres chosen for him by his children - it went back. Mind, I’d not be too happy about the expense of changing wheels and tyres, but… Interesting you mention Bridgestone, since I have been considering these on our non-Audi. For me, I want as comfortable ride as I can get from the tyres, and as much mileage as poss. so any recommendations are welcome. Kind regards, Gareth. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMB2024 Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 Hi Gareth, regarding the Bridgestones, I had these (also 18 inch) on my previous car 2018 Audi A6 Avant S-Line and found them to be fine. Its not so much the ride, more the road noise - the tyre noise itself isnt too bad but the resonance from the wheel/surface contact is vrry irritating - a low level drone/hum. I'm not sure whether the car can go back as I have had it for three weeks and have done around 600 miles. However, anyone considering an A3 Sportback S-Line should be prepared for above average road noise at motorway speeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevey Y Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 13 minutes ago, NMB2024 said: Hi Gareth, regarding the Bridgestones, I had these (also 18 inch) on my previous car 2018 Audi A6 Avant S-Line and found them to be fine. Its not so much the ride, more the road noise - the tyre noise itself isnt too bad but the resonance from the wheel/surface contact is vrry irritating - a low level drone/hum. I'm not sure whether the car can go back as I have had it for three weeks and have done around 600 miles. However, anyone considering an A3 Sportback S-Line should be prepared for above average road noise at motorway speeds. Hi the Bridgestones would probably work better on the A6 but the denominator is that the A6 is a far heavier car. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevey Y Posted March 29 Share Posted March 29 4 hours ago, Magnet said: Hello Nick, As Stevey says. I been putting a dampener on anything to do with large wheels for some time, since the trend seems to be for the largest wheels and the skinniest tyres - because they look good. Yet, you cannot see the wheels when you are sat in the car, but you are the one who suffers the adverse ride quality. Add to the potential of harder sidewalls, probably XL etc. and everything gets magnified. An equally aged friend found the ride to be not to his liking on an S.Line with skinny tyres chosen for him by his children - it went back. Mind, I’d not be too happy about the expense of changing wheels and tyres, but… Interesting you mention Bridgestone, since I have been considering these on our non-Audi. For me, I want as comfortable ride as I can get from the tyres, and as much mileage as poss. so any recommendations are welcome. Kind regards, Gareth. Hi Gareth, try TOYO PROXES my mate has just fitted those to his wife's golf and reckons its like driving on air compared to the Continentals he previously had and also reports back the wet grip is phenomenal. Steve. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMB2024 Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Pure coincidence but when i picked up my rental car at the weekend at Inverness Airport it was a '73 plate Audi A3 TFSI 35 S-Line on 18inch Bridgestone Turanza tyres. So, the identical car to mine with similar mileage. That wretched hum/droning noise (think blowing across a glass bottle top) is present from the rental car too. It must be specific to the model - probably the tyre size/profile. I am not impressed because, other than this noise which occurs at speed and on rough surfaces, the car is very good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevey Y Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 53 minutes ago, NMB2024 said: Pure coincidence but when i picked up my rental car at the weekend at Inverness Airport it was a '73 plate Audi A3 TFSI 35 S-Line on 18inch Bridgestone Turanza tyres. So, the identical car to mine with similar mileage. That wretched hum/droning noise (think blowing across a glass bottle top) is present from the rental car too. It must be specific to the model - probably the tyre size/profile. I am not impressed because, other than this noise which occurs at speed and on rough surfaces, the car is very good. Hi it looks like time to broker the deal for other wheels or back the car. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMB2024 Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Not sure the dealer will accept a return if there is no fault. The thing is, I test drove the identical car but, obviously, missed this Audi "sound". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevey Y Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 28 minutes ago, NMB2024 said: Not sure the dealer will accept a return if there is no fault. The thing is, I test drove the identical car but, obviously, missed this Audi "sound". Hi if you are happy with the rest of the car I know it means more money but go and consult your nearest wheel and tyre specialist and ask if they do a tyre that is different and may solve your problem, if not try the old how much will I get trade in for my stuff against a set of decent 17inch wheels and tyres, find out what your wheel offset is and go looking on eBay, factor in that you may have to have the wheels refurbed and new tyres but you get to keep the old wheels for when you get the car, multiple variables with this problem. Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NMB2024 Posted April 6 Share Posted April 6 Update. Got back from holiday. Picked up car from Gatwick Airport. Definitely more obtrusive noise from my car than the rental. Got the tyres checked by local tyre company. All fitted properly, all balanced well all wearing well. So, what is going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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