I've owned a 74 plate SQ5 for several months now.  (I'm a long time Audi owner having previously owned 3 A6 Avants but baled out of the last one as I was a victim of the much documented BSG electrical meltdown issue.)  

I like the diesel SQ5 and the way it drives but my only niggle is the hard and noisy ride (certainly compared with the A6).  Various reviews on the SQ5 also comment on the jiggly ride, even in Comfort mode.  I have played with tyre pressures and have found 34F, 31R to improve the situation (even though these pressures are a little below recommended) yet I still consider the car a little uncomfortable.    My car is still on the 20" OEM Pirelli Scorpion Verde tyres but I shall be changing these fairly soon.

Whilst I appreciate it is an "S" car with sporting tendencies, can anyone please recommend tyres which reduce road noise and improve ride comfort, ideally based on their own experience with the SQ5?  I guess a softer sidewall and compound would be a step in the right direction but any positive experience from other SQ5 owners which may help would be welcomed.

Many thanks and Happy Christmas to all.

 

Hello John, 

I’m not an SQ5 owner, but do have experience of Pirelli Scorpion tyres on a non Audi - with a profile of 60 - and the vehicle is now on its 3rd set, and they have been superb in terms of ride and longevity. 
This may be a pessimistic view, but think you are suffering from a combination of large wheels, low profiles and the inheritance of harsh sports suspension.

My view is that whatever brand of tyres you fit you will not improve comfort to any significant degree, and your best bet towards ( in caps) comfort would be to fit smaller dia. wheels with increased profiles. Regrettably, I still feel you will be affected by the sports suspension.

Regards,

Gareth. 
Have a good Christmas. 

Same set up as mine , I run at the correct pressures of 39 psi cold . I run mainly in individual mode , with suspension set to comfort .  Normal springs not air suspension.  I've not had a SUV yet that ran as quiet as say a coupe or saloon.  It's also permanent 4wd .   Sound advice above about anything with sports suspension, all my Mercedes cars Inc a GLC 350 had it and all were not as comfortable as the wife's Ford Kuga.  I think a Sq5 on 19's  wouldn't offer anymore sidewall to make a noticeable difference tbh.  45 % of 235 v's 55 % of 255 .   As for tyre noise , tyre noise is measured from the outside of a moving vehicle  not measured from the inside .  I've over the years found Avon and Falken to be fairly quiet .  As for the suspension, mine is very harsh in dynamic as you'd expect , but comfort I find to be very much ok for a sports suv.  I turn up the choons to cancel out road n tyre noise. 

John.

You are not the first SQ5 owner with the same complaint. Unfortunately there is no real solution except to change the car. Different wheels and tyres can make a small difference to the ride, but there is no escaping the inherent harshness of the springs and dampers.

Seen my error . Should read 55% of 235  against 45 % of 255 .  Equates to 0.6 of an inch difference in sidewall height.

 

 

 

What do you think about the sound advice so far John?

Thanks to all for the comments so far.  I may well try a set of Yokohama Advan Sport EV V108, which have a very low noise rating.  One of their key selling points is :

• Silent foam, aiming to reduce road noise dramatically

I have read of others who have used EV tyres on a conventional car, and the above  are available in my size and at a sensible price.  Whilst I do appreciate that the standard measurement for road noise is measured outside the vehicle, a lower figure must have an impact on the inside.  

I really do like most other aspects of the SQ5 but just am fussy about the ride and noise.  One of the first things I did when I got it was deactivating the "SoundAktor" artificial noise generator attached to the bulkhead, taking away the annoying synthetic engine noise.

As said above by Cliffcoggin, I fear the springs and dampers are inherently harsh in this model and whilst the adaptive dampers help, even in Comfort Mode it still feels bouncy to me.  I have driven a Cupra Ateca several times recently, with the 300hp EA888 engine, which on paper is as quick as the SQ5.  The Cupra's adaptive suspension shows a much greater range of difference between "Normal" and Sports modes....so it can be done!

Thanks again for all the comments.  

 

3 minutes ago, JohnfromEssex said:

Thanks to all for the comments so far.  I may well try a set of Yokohama Advan Sport EV V108, which have a very low noise rating.  One of their key selling points is :

• Silent foam, aiming to reduce road noise dramatically

I have read of others who have used EV tyres on a conventional car, and the above  are available in my size and at a sensible price.  Whilst I do appreciate that the standard measurement for road noise is measured outside the vehicle, a lower figure must have an impact on the inside.  

I really do like most other aspects of the SQ5 but just am fussy about the ride and noise.  One of the first things I did when I got it was deactivating the "SoundAktor" artificial noise generator attached to the bulkhead, taking away the annoying synthetic engine noise.

As said above by Cliffcoggin, I fear the springs and dampers are inherently harsh in this model and whilst the adaptive dampers help, even in Comfort Mode it still feels bouncy to me.  I have driven a Cupra Ateca several times recently, with the 300hp EA888 engine, which on paper is as quick as the SQ5.  The Cupra's adaptive suspension shows a much greater range of difference between "Normal" and Sports modes....so it can be done!

Thanks again for all the comments.  

 

Please come back with a tyre report . I'll be due 4 next year ..

Thanks John,

So is it a case of road noice reduction as a priority over ride comfort improvement?

For me both attributes are important in making the car a pleasant place to be as well as fun to drive.

1 hour ago, JohnfromEssex said:

For me both attributes are important in making the car a pleasant place to be as well as fun to drive.

Didn't you notice the noise and comfort levels before purchase ??