Tire Noise?

[Admiral Ballsy]

It has gotten a bit better. I have read some opinions that LRR tires are loud when new, and lose some noise after the first 100 miles or so...that appears to be the case here, or I could just be crazy.

It's still loud, but my "conversation test" is easier to pass now. In any case, I won't be changing tires. The local Discount Tire offered me $250 in trade for the stockers, which IME is a pretty generous offer from retail, but this is a commuter car and they'll get worn out soon enough.

I know what you mean about the gravel in the wheel wells...hard rain on the roof is a similar experience!

[Admiral Ballsy]

By the way, it does appear that all FR-Ss are coming on Bridgestone EL400s. The local Scion dealer has four on the lot, all with Bridgestones and no notes on the sticker indicating any kind of choice. Would be interesting to drive one, maybe I'll give that a shot.

But Subarus apparently are all still using Michelin HPs.

[BRZnut]

Originally Posted by Admiral Ballsy

By the way, it does appear that all FR-Ss are coming on Bridgestone EL400s. The local Scion dealer has four on the lot, all with Bridgestones and no notes on the sticker indicating any kind of choice. Would be interesting to drive one, maybe I'll give that a shot.

But Subarus apparently are all still using Michelin HPs.

Yes..picked up my BRZ in Nov and Michelin. Still driving it this winter but no snow yet here in Southern NJ

[Skurj]

heard they cheaped out on sound deadening to keep costs and weight down...

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by Admiral Ballsy

... or I could just be crazy.

Of course. But then, aren't we all?

I know what you mean about the gravel in the wheel wells...hard rain on the roof is a similar experience!

Yes. Raindrops pitter-pattering on your head. Think quonset hut, or even tin can, or maybe … Lotus!

I suspect a connection between the noise phenomenon of the raindrops, pebbles, and tires; they all have a common cause, I would think.

Colin Chapman, whose oft-quoted motto was, “Add lightness,” would smile upon this car and nod knowingly, don't you think?

I love this thing. It is going to be very difficult to replace.

[Porsche]

Originally Posted by Admiral Ballsy

The local Discount Tire offered me $250 in trade for the stockers, which IME is a pretty generous offer from retail, but this is a commuter car and they'll get worn out soon enough.

Did you see the cost for these Michelin Primacy HP tires? $208 each!

Heavens!

Assuming Tire Rack is a reliable source, it should be noted that these tires are also OEM equipment on Audi, BMW, and Mercedes vehicles. Just a counterpoint to all the sneering references to “Prius tires.”

I find these tires to be an excellent choice for the real world in which I drive. They complement this car perfectly. I do not WANT more grip. I do understand why others do, however, and would never dream of criticizing their preference and choice.

[Admiral Ballsy]

Originally Posted by Porsche

Did you see the cost for these Michelin Primacy HP tires? $208 each!

Yeah, I did. And my reaction was similar. Other than the noise, I don't really have an opinion of them. They're...round (IOW, they work in their intended role).

They're pretty slippery - I can loosen the rear end in traffic roundabouts in 3rd gear without really trying too hard - but it is cold here, and they are summer-only tires.

[Admiral Ballsy]

Originally Posted by Porsche

Colin Chapman, whose oft-quoted motto was, “Add lightness,” would smile upon this car and nod knowingly, don't you think?

Dunno about that. Colin was something of a militant about it (or so I've read), and I think it's just as likely that he'd lambast Subiyota for making it too luxurious!

[Admiral Ballsy]

I'm resurrecting this, because I bought another BRZ last week (dealer made me a trade offer that was hard to refuse).

And I promptly got new tires. Decided on Goodyear F1 Asymmetric 2s, for a couple reasons, but one is that they have a pretty high tread-to-section width ratio.

The stock tires have really narrow tread width, for the size; they look stretched over the wheels. These are a little over a half-inch wider, and look a lot better-suited to the wheel width, at least IMO.

But damn, they're quiet by comparison. I was planning to dynamat the trunk this summer, but now I don't think it's necessary.

[typericey]

Yes the Primacy HPs are noisy, and not because the car lacks soundproofing. In my case, the noise kicks in at exactly 100km/h (65mph) as if it had an on/off switch. It roars the same way as mud terrain SUV tires running at highway speeds.

The first few days with the car, the noise was so loud, I thought the wheels on my unit were not balanced properly from the factory. But then I Googled about this and discovered that the tire noise problem was common with BRZ/86/FR-S owners.

I have 1,200kms on the odo now and the noise has subsided a bit. Either my ears got used to it or I am crazy or the LRR tires have broken in. I'll be swapping them with Bridgestone RE002's in a couple of weeks. Will see if there are any changes.