20" Problem??

DeltaTom · Sep 21st, 2020, 21:59

Looking to purchase a V60 D4 Polestar R-Design Plus Automatic. Found a fantastic car but it has 20" Wheels/tyres and I have heard some horror stories concerning road noise? Does anyone have experience of this car with those tyres?
Thank you

tompip · Sep 21st, 2020, 22:16

I had 20's on my XC60 and they were noisy and you could feel every bump in the road. Swapped for 18's and the noise and ride were much better

Zebster · Sep 22nd, 2020, 08:21

Mines bad enough with 18" wheels!

XCmacca · Sep 25th, 2020, 20:13

I have 20" on my XC60, harsh and noisy on Pirelli tyres, changed to Michelin Latitude Sport 3 acoustic tyres, much better ride and less noise

smudgers · Sep 26th, 2020, 22:41

I have 20’s and can’t say I notice much. Pirelli’s lasted 8000 miles on the fronts and just replaced with cross climates so will se how they last.
I do think the 20’s look better on the car as well.

goodykpg · Sep 27th, 2020, 11:20

20" on mine ,just replaced original Pirelli Scorpions at 51000mls on rears , must admit got bad tyre noise near end of life , but at that mileage renewed with the same , now no appreciable noise only on poor road surface. Plus would sooner listen to music and can easily increase volume .

Buckshot61 · Sep 27th, 2020, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebster

Mines bad enough with 18" wheels!

Mine too. They´re very noisy on bad asphalt.

pont · Sep 30th, 2020, 08:20

My only grump with my 2015 xc60 mile muncher on 18" is the hard ride, going slowly over potholes and rough roads throws me about, and having a (really) bad back issue it is far from comfy. My 2007 v70 on 17" is just wonderful for a back sufferer, I was going to sell it when I bought the xc in 2016 but I still have it....
With the greatest respect surely everyone knows now that oversize wheels give a harsher ride?
I would love a definitive answer to "which is the softest, most bump absorbing volvo that I can currently buy at about 2 years old and will not cost me mega bucks?".

Rocinante · Sep 30th, 2020, 09:11

20's are going to harder / noiser. Tyres will have a bearing, and from the responses here, people appear to have different perceptions of this.

Ultimately it's probably down to your personal preference / tolerance.

A test drive on a bumpy road is probably in order.

bornmiddleaged · Sep 30th, 2020, 10:32

I've just gone from a Skoda Superb with 17" wheels to a V60 Inscription with the 20" diamond cut wheels.
Like you, I bought 2nd hand and I was a bit concerned about the ride and road noise.
I would say 90% of the time I find it better, road noise is lower than the Superb apart from on worn out tarmac (but that would have been loud in the Superb as well). On a smooth motorway at 70mph I find it really quiet and smooth.
Around town over broken surfaces you can tell there's not as much sidewall but the Superb was like driving a barge so I am personally preferring that harder ride. The R-Design will be firmer again than the Inscription.
Crucially, my wife hasn't complained about it so it must be fine!
I note your location as Ayrshire, I remember the last time we visited the father-in-law there I found a lot of the road surfaces were really poor (good job Nicola) so that might make it more noticeable.
To summarise, go for a decent length of test drive on different surfaces and at decent speeds.

Sep 21st, 2020, 21:59	#1
DeltaTom New Member Last Online: Dec 17th, 2023 13:18 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: KILBIRNIE, North Ayrshire	20" Problem?? Looking to purchase a V60 D4 Polestar R-Design Plus Automatic. Found a fantastic car but it has 20" Wheels/tyres and I have heard some horror stories concerning road noise? Does anyone have experience of this car with those tyres? Thank you

Sep 21st, 2020, 22:16	#2
tompip Senior Member Last Online: Oct 22nd, 2022 19:00 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: northumberland	noise 20's I had 20's on my XC60 and they were noisy and you could feel every bump in the road. Swapped for 18's and the noise and ride were much better __________________ 2011 XC60 Sapphire Black R Design D5 AWD, manual, winter pack, NAV, privacy glass, 18" Ixion wheels.

Sep 22nd, 2020, 08:21	#3
Zebster Upstanding Member Last Online: Sep 12th, 2023 11:29 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Ludlow	Mines bad enough with 18" wheels! __________________ GONE: 2015 V60 D4 181 (VEA) R-Design Lux Nav manual in black

Sep 25th, 2020, 20:13	#4
XCmacca Junior Member Last Online: Feb 2nd, 2022 21:45 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: WORLABY	I have 20" on my XC60, harsh and noisy on Pirelli tyres, changed to Michelin Latitude Sport 3 acoustic tyres, much better ride and less noise

Sep 26th, 2020, 22:41	#5
smudgers Junior Member Last Online: Sep 7th, 2021 18:02 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: kent	I have 20’s and can’t say I notice much. Pirelli’s lasted 8000 miles on the fronts and just replaced with cross climates so will se how they last. I do think the 20’s look better on the car as well.

Sep 27th, 2020, 11:20	#6
goodykpg New Member Last Online: Apr 22nd, 2024 18:06 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Grantham	20" on mine ,just replaced original Pirelli Scorpions at 51000mls on rears , must admit got bad tyre noise near end of life , but at that mileage renewed with the same , now no appreciable noise only on poor road surface. Plus would sooner listen to music and can easily increase volume .

Sep 30th, 2020, 08:20	#8
pont Member Last Online: Apr 15th, 2024 13:39 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: worcester	My only grump with my 2015 xc60 mile muncher on 18" is the hard ride, going slowly over potholes and rough roads throws me about, and having a (really) bad back issue it is far from comfy. My 2007 v70 on 17" is just wonderful for a back sufferer, I was going to sell it when I bought the xc in 2016 but I still have it.... With the greatest respect surely everyone knows now that oversize wheels give a harsher ride? I would love a definitive answer to "which is the softest, most bump absorbing volvo that I can currently buy at about 2 years old and will not cost me mega bucks?".

Sep 30th, 2020, 09:11	#9
Rocinante Master Member Last Online: Mar 27th, 2024 12:26 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Mystery Location	20's are going to harder / noiser. Tyres will have a bearing, and from the responses here, people appear to have different perceptions of this. Ultimately it's probably down to your personal preference / tolerance. A test drive on a bumpy road is probably in order.

Sep 30th, 2020, 10:32	#10
bornmiddleaged :-) Last Online: Apr 18th, 2024 15:43 Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Hants	I've just gone from a Skoda Superb with 17" wheels to a V60 Inscription with the 20" diamond cut wheels. Like you, I bought 2nd hand and I was a bit concerned about the ride and road noise. I would say 90% of the time I find it better, road noise is lower than the Superb apart from on worn out tarmac (but that would have been loud in the Superb as well). On a smooth motorway at 70mph I find it really quiet and smooth. Around town over broken surfaces you can tell there's not as much sidewall but the Superb was like driving a barge so I am personally preferring that harder ride. The R-Design will be firmer again than the Inscription. Crucially, my wife hasn't complained about it so it must be fine! I note your location as Ayrshire, I remember the last time we visited the father-in-law there I found a lot of the road surfaces were really poor (good job Nicola) so that might make it more noticeable. To summarise, go for a decent length of test drive on different surfaces and at decent speeds.

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