S80: Wheels/Brakes Swapping 18" wheels for 17s...?

[p.swan]

Hi. Mulling something over here. I have a 2012 S80 D5 Executive. Had it a while, I really like it and it suits my long distance motoring, except for road noise and at times the ride, which don't always measure up to the luxury limo image of the Executive. The road noise especially really spoils the otherwise very hushed progress. It's currently running on the factory 18" wheels, with 245/40 18 tyres, currently Goodyear eagle F1.
At a cross roads with the car, swap it for something else a bit younger ( and with a better ride/road noise scenario) or swap the wheels for 17s, with higher profile tyres, for much less cost than swapping the whole car..? How much better and quieter would it ride on smaller wheels? I'm not a rally driver and I can't see the wheels when I'm doing a 200 mile run, but can feel every mile of the road, so comfort is a higher priority to me than boy racer looks. Any thoughts?

[tommyweaves]

Get 17s with a non-sporty tyre. Then get steering limiters removed to improve your turning circle. Big difference.

[Maurice Mynah]

Yes, do it. I did it to mine and the ride went from "stick to the road like F1" to the smooth comfort one should expect from a luxury car. The MPG improved just a little too.
I'm yet to get round to having the steering limiters removed, that gets done when the car is next booked in for something else.

[Kev0607]

I done the same on my car & it made a remarkable difference to the ride.

So, +1 from me too for changing to 17's!

[AlexV70Drive1]

I’d blame the tyres for the excessive road noise, I have 18s with Michelin pilot sport tyres and it is quiet and still drives well in the corners. Getting smaller wheels and a higher profile will help the ride comfort if you find it smashing down the bumps in the road with an iron fist. I’d keep the 18s personally and just get a new set of tyres when they are due.

[reggit]

Not really noticed the road noise on my v70 on the same size wheels, I’m using a mid-range tyre (falken), and got chance to give it a good paggering down a twisty road on my own yesterday - wow! I’d never expect a big estate car to handle that well!

[Ukwide]

Originally Posted by AlexV70Drive1

I’d blame the tyres for the excessive road noise, I have 18s with Michelin pilot sport tyres and it is quiet and still drives well in the corners. Getting smaller wheels and a higher profile will help the ride comfort if you find it smashing down the bumps in the road with an iron fist. I’d keep the 18s personally and just get a new set of tyres when they are due.

Interestingly I have the Eagle F1s on my S80 with 18 inch alloys and they are not noisy in fact they are 68dbs which is less that the Michelin pilot tyres. Makes me wonder if there’s something else causing the road noise and not the tyres....

[Maurice Mynah]

I would agree that the change in road noise was not significant, possibly talking myself into believing it was quieter, but the change in comfort was significant, and the fuel saving was about 2.5%. Also, don't forget the replacement tyres are cheaper too.

[AlexV70Drive1]

Originally Posted by Ukwide

Interestingly I have the Eagle F1s on my S80 with 18 inch alloys and they are not noisy in fact they are 68dbs which is less that the Michelin pilot tyres. Makes me wonder if there’s something else causing the road noise and not the tyres....

It could be a bad tyre as in a damaged one or a wheel bearing or something else causing it, I totally agree! Mine is quiet with the pilot sport tyres in fact I didn’t even know they are not quiet tyres until you mention it because the road noise is hardly noticeable so I reckon as you do that something else is causing his extra road noise..
OP take it to a reputable trusted garage and have them take a look before spending out on new wheels!