20" Wheels - excessive road noise

[Flashie08]

I've just posted a topic on the XC90 Support Forum about this to see if can be an answer:
http://support.volvocars.com/forum/t...=6353#post6353

Thanks to everyone for your feedback and experience. If I hadn't read this thread, I would have probably gone for the Inscription without even trying it on 20" wheels and ended up very disappointed. I'm sorry some of you have been our guinea pigs but I cross my fingers that those getting their cars in September will be posting about how their fears have not materialised.

[Trommel]

D5 Inscription, air suspension, standard 20" wheels with Continentals - reporting the same. First longer journey today, and it really does spoil the car - if I'd got out and seen a set of mud terrains on it I wouldn't have been surprised. Most annoying is how it changes so obviously over different stretches of road surface - very surprised any are still delivered with the Continentals if they are the issue.

[gaby]

Originally Posted by Trommel

Most annoying is how it changes so obviously over different stretches of road surface - very surprised any are still delivered with the Continentals if they are the issue.

Indeed, if...

[neon]

This is becoming really frustrating as Volvo say nothing, dealer says they are not aware there is a problem, but still comments on forums about it still being a big issue. I am just about to spend £55k at a risk of being dissatisfied with the car. I think I need to go and test drive a MY17 inscription with 20" wheels and standard suspension.

[Docs]

Took Mrs D's C30 today to get new tyres fitted. I decided to fit Michelin Cross Climate after reading a lot of good things about them and taking advice from the tyre salesman who had only good things to say about them.
My own XC90 Momentum came with Michelin Latitude Sport 3's and I can honestly say I don't find the road noise an issue, even with some of the roads we have here in west Donegal which are really a bit of a disgrace.
I do find myself listening more to the changes in surface but I think that's because after reading all the posts re road noise you do become a bit paranoid.

Anyway I was discussing options with the owner of the tyre shop about winter tyres for my 90 and happen to mention about the issues people were having with the 20" Continentals and he says he has had a few Audi owners running on 20" changing their Continentals due to excessive road noise.
Could it be that tyre make is the issue not the car ?
I don't follow the thread that closely to see has anyone swapped out their Contis and still had excessive noise.

[neon]

Originally Posted by Docs

Took Mrs D's C30 today to get new tyres fitted. I decided to fit Michelin Cross Climate after reading a lot of good things about them and taking advice from the tyre salesman who had only good things to say about them.
My own XC90 Momentum came with Michelin Latitude Sport 3's and I can honestly say I don't find the road noise an issue, even with some of the roads we have here in west Donegal which are really a bit of a disgrace.
I do find myself listening more to the changes in surface but I think that's because after reading all the posts re road noise you do become a bit paranoid.

Anyway I was discussing options with the owner of the tyre shop about winter tyres for my 90 and happen to mention about the issues people were having with the 20" Continentals and he says he has had a few Audi owners running on 20" changing their Continentals due to excessive road noise.
Could it be that tyre make is the issue not the car ?
I don't follow the thread that closely to see has anyone swapped out their Contis and still had excessive noise.

I don't think I have seen any posts where someone has swapped the Continentals 20" and fed back their view. It is strange as I do not think I have seen many comments about road noise on Swede Speed, even though there must be a lot of cars on there with 20" wheels.

[basoom]

I have recently drove my R design on standard 20" and Conti tyres in Northerland and Germany and the car was very quite even at high speeds and the road noise not being an issue at all.

Is the combination of Contis and UK roads proving lethal..

[Docs]

Originally Posted by basoom

I have recently drove my R design on standard 20" and Conti tyres in Northerland and Germany and the car was very quite even at high speeds and the road noise not being an issue at all.

Is the combination of Contis and UK roads proving lethal..

How do you find them back home in the UK ?

[basoom]

Noisy but acceptable. Our Xc60 in quitter.

I do remember testing inscription on 20" then ordered R design (was not available to test drive) and was expecting the road noise to be too much (it ticked all the other boxes to order) but came to a surprise when drove the R design (less than expected- same roads). Now I don't know if they are different in level of noises, I aged in the interim or there is bias. Having said that, couple of months ago I drove again the inscription on 20" whilst at the dealer and still found the road noise on the high side.
I have not drive one on 19"


Basoom

[desiebear]

I have put pirelli all seasons on my MY16 Inscription on 20's. After doing 1500miles on the in Ireland and the UK including many motorways miles, I cannot say there has been a significant improvement in road noise. Really does take away from the car.
I also noted that there is alot of road noise through the rear doors when the blinds are up, I don't know if others have noted this. It would be interesting to compare to cars without the integrated blinds.