Comfortable, quiet tyres

[PETER GOODMAN]

Hello

My 2004 Fabia 1.9Tdi Comfort Estate is currently running on [4] Dunlop SP Sport 01 tyres on which I have done about 5000 miles. I now find that the ride comfort of the car is very harsh in a way that feels as if the tyres are very over-inflated. I have recently had the car serviced and the garage could find nothing wrong with either the suspension or the tyre pressures. Do you think that if I changed to Dunlop Sport SP2000E, which I think were the original equipment on the car, I would get a more comfortable ride? Or is there a better alternative for ride comfort? I drive mainly on poorly maintained Devon side roads apart from a couple of motorway trips on holiday each year and seem to think that the SP2000’s were much more comfortable.

Thank you

Peter Goodman

[ultra_joel88]

I would say go for Michelins.

[bigal rallyred]

I have Michelin HP Primacy (sp) fitted to my VW Bora and they are fantastic grip is so much better than Pirellis or Contis. Noise is reduced and comfort is increased.
I also have Michelin Pilot Primacy on my Passat and they are even better but the level up from the HPs.

[rum4mo]

Originally Posted by bigal rallyred

I have Michelin HP Primacy (sp) fitted to my VW Bora and they are fantastic grip is so much better than Pirellis or Contis. Noise is reduced and comfort is increased.
I also have Michelin Pilot Primacy on my Passat and they are even better but the level up from the HPs.

That's what I put on the wife's Polo - the Dunlop SP2000Es were okay but Dunlop dropped them for the size/speed/weight rating that the Polo needed (195/55 X 15) - plus, if you know someone that has a Costco card then you get them a bit cheaper - oh and Costco are doing a better dealer on Mich right now!

[tag1_uk]

I have new Dunlop SP2000Es all round on my Fabia on the standard 14" steel wheels. I've not had any problems - they are very secure in the wet although they can slip under heavy acceleration from a standing start (so much for the ASR). On the Dunlop website they are highlighted as being designed specifically for quietness and comfort. I have to say that I find the Fabia in general is rather noisy in terms of road noise and so I don't know how much difference the tyres have made. I had Michelin Energy on my last car and I think I'd prefer the Michelins actually. Tyre fitters I've spoken to have always said that Michelin are the best. I've been warned off Contis and Pirellis. Michelin also recommend the model Pilot Exalto for the Fabia which is their (expensive) sporty model.

[mexicorich]

Michelins are simply the best
Read the Tyre tests on Mytyres and they are streets ahead of everything in each parameter. As a cheaper tyre Fulda Carats score very highly in each parameter

[ap0gee]

My vRS came with Michelin Primacies from new, and although they lasted a long time and were quieter than the Toyo Proxeses I put on after, they had virtually no grip in the wet and weren't much better in the dry round bends! This is probably because the compound used for quietness and longevity doesn't lend itself to spirited driving, though, so if that's not a priority, don't let it worry you!

I have Pirellis on now, and am distinctly undecided. They actually grip better round corners than my Toyos did, but they sure don't feel like they do...

As it goes, my wife's Fabia has Firestone F590s on, and I've never felt that her car's needed 'more'. They've lasted ages, and have more than enough grip for the raging 68bhp she has under the bonnet. In fact, hers is one of the last not to have ABS, and it's only lost traction under hard braking once. There are never any problems with cornering, and they seem quiet enough too. Based on what I've heard about Firestones, I wouldn't usually consider them, but based on experience, I might well get some more when the time comes...

Not sure that's moved the discussion on any, but you have my 2ps all the same!

[colkai]

I only have the 1.4 MPI and am not really after tyres for 'high performance' but I would love to know of some good tyres that give reduced noise. The Fabia sure is noisy on the road, even compared to the Felicia which surprises me.

I'll have to have a look and see what is on it at the mo' but I'm guessing budget tyres.

What sort of price range do you think puts one in an acceptable bracket for quieter tyres but with decent longevity (as I do 16K a year).

[ap0gee]

A tyre comparison site will give users' (subjective) opinions on things like noise, so start there would be my advice. An 'eco' tyre should be longer-lasting.

[vindaloo]

Originally Posted by PETER GOODMAN

Hello

My 2004 Fabia 1.9Tdi Comfort Estate is currently running on [4] Dunlop SP Sport 01 tyres on which I have done about 5000 miles. I now find that the ride comfort of the car is very harsh in a way that feels as if the tyres are very over-inflated. I have recently had the car serviced and the garage could find nothing wrong with either the suspension or the tyre pressures. Do you think that if I changed to Dunlop Sport SP2000E, which I think were the original equipment on the car, I would get a more comfortable ride? Or is there a better alternative for ride comfort? I drive mainly on poorly maintained Devon side roads apart from a couple of motorway trips on holiday each year and seem to think that the SP2000’s were much more comfortable.

Thank you

Peter Goodman

Poorly maintained roads....

There was a post recently where someone went "up" a size in tyres. On a Fabia VRS, from 205/45x16s to 205/50x16s, in the search for more compliance.

It "should" have 2 benefits.
1) The bigger air cushion afforded by a 50 profile tyre over a 45 profile tyre (>10% more)
2) A slightly larger rolling radius to the wheel/tyre combination. Will tend to smooth out the smaller bumps and ride more easily over the bigger ones.

OK, found the thread....

http://briskoda.net/forums/fabia/cha...-tyres/102187/

[PETER GOODMAN]

Thank you, friends. Your input and support has been invaluable. I never really thought of my car as being particularly noisy before I had these tyres fitted. Now I know that there are better tyres out there that will give me the smoother and quiter ride that I want. Shame about the cost but it's only money after all.

Peter

[jasc1988]

I persoanally love Uniroyal Rainsports, cracking tires the best i have used, grip in the wet is unequalled which is good in a mapped vrs. also they hold there own in the dry

I'll be getting them from now on. Quietness wise i wouldnt know as i just turn the radio up

[tag1_uk]

Originally Posted by colkai

I only have the 1.4 MPI and am not really after tyres for 'high performance' but I would love to know of some good tyres that give reduced noise. The Fabia sure is noisy on the road, even compared to the Felicia which surprises me.

I'll have to have a look and see what is on it at the mo' but I'm guessing budget tyres.

What sort of price range do you think puts one in an acceptable bracket for quieter tyres but with decent longevity (as I do 16K a year).

I think you should be paying about £50/tyre all in, I personally think it is one area where I wouldn't compromise so much as tyres are important for your safety. If you are on a budget, you could try Klebers which are Michelin's budget brand but I've got no personal experience of them. I don't think you'd go far wrong with Michelin Energy all round and some of the fast fit places usually have special offers on like a tyre free if you get all four done at once. If they are cheapest, you could try printing off an online quote from the black circles website and taking it to your most convenient garage to see if you can get them to match it.

[colkai]

Cheers.
I had thought of going up from the 30 quid ones I buy, not just to see if the noise is lower but also because in the wet, I can feeling the car wanting to give way on tight corners and whilst I'm a tightwad, I do place some value on my own safety.

[MAPGO]

Originally Posted by PETER GOODMAN

Hello

My 2004 Fabia 1.9Tdi Comfort Estate is currently running on [4] Dunlop SP Sport 01 tyres on which I have done about 5000 miles. I now find that the ride comfort of the car is very harsh in a way that feels as if the tyres are very over-inflated. I have recently had the car serviced and the garage could find nothing wrong with either the suspension or the tyre pressures. Do you think that if I changed to Dunlop Sport SP2000E, which I think were the original equipment on the car, I would get a more comfortable ride? Or is there a better alternative for ride comfort? I drive mainly on poorly maintained Devon side roads apart from a couple of motorway trips on holiday each year and seem to think that the SP2000’s were much more comfortable.

Thank you

Peter Goodman

Once I get a bit more wear out of the Dunlop SPs it's Vredestein Hi-Trac for me
Had them on previous cars (Civics) and was well pleased, far better grip than Dunlops