Road noise

[Snerkler]

After owning my X5 M sport for about 2 weeks now I'm surprised by how much road noise there is above 60mph ish. Below this it's nice and quiet but above this it's noticeable, and worse than the Freelander 2 that I came from which I find surprising. I'm sure some of it is due to the run flats, has anyone swapped these for normal tyres and can comment how much difference it makes, if any?

Unfortunately it's not all tyre noise at speed though, for example I can hear when I'm driving through puddles more than previous vehicles and also you can hear when cars pass you by on the other side of the road. I do remember a similar trait with my M3 I had a few years back although I don't recall it being as noticeable. That being said I do remember checking that my windows were closed properly from time to time. I do think some of it is down to me being tall and sitting so far back because if I lean forward the noise if far less noticeable. I'm thinking then it could be coming from the door seal and I'm just sitting in the 'wrong place', but if this is the case can anyone suggest anything that might help, other than moving my seat or turning the stereo up?

[Nictrix]

I have a different car (X6) but dont think there is much road noise at all and its on 20" runflats.
I think I would be checking things like the door rubbers in case one is out of place or damaged.
What about the parcel shelf, is it in place? On other cars I have had if the parcel shelf was removed it was a lot noisier inside.

[Snerkler]

Parcel shelf in place. Can't see anything wrong with the rubbers but it's going in to the dealers in a couple of weeks for something else so will ask them to check. I'm convinced some of it is unfortunate seat postitioning as far as hearing traffic etc, although even my wife commented on the tyre/road noise and she's usually oblivious to noises

If I do change my tyres from runflats when they're due for changing is there any issue regarding warranty or anything like that? I know the X3 is temperamental when it comes to tyres and there's an issue with the transfer box with wrong tyre choices.

[silverbeemersurfer]

I recently owned a 2014 X3 M Sport and was also aware of the apparent wind noise from the door. I am 6' 2" tall and also had my seat fully back and like you I think that it is because my head is next to the B pillar and therefore the door seals.
My X3 had only covered about 30K when I recently replaced it with a 2015 X5 3.0D M Sport with 14K on the clock and 20" wheels. The X5 seems to have the same problem of wind noise, although nowhere near as bad and quite acceptable to me. Suprisingly road noise from the 20" wheels is far less intrusive than the 19" fitted to the X3.
Regarding tyre noise, on the X3 I changed the 19" RF tyres at 25K and had 19" Michelin RF fitted. The difference in road noise and "thumping" when hitting potholes, ridges etc. was extremely noticeable, being very much quieter. I would definitely recommend these tyres. Unfortunately at present it seems that the Michelins in 20" are currently not available  , although I am not currently in need of replacements for some time.
I am very pleased with my X5, it is very quiet inside, to the point that several people who have been in it have asked if it is a petrol engine !!! I do think that the M adaptive rear air suspension must help in this respect though, as the general ride comfort is excellent.

[Snerkler]

[quote="silverbeemersurfer"]
I recently owned a 2014 X3 M Sport and was also aware of the apparent wind noise from the door. I am 6' 2" tall and also had my seat fully back and like you I think that it is because my head is next to the B pillar and therefore the door seals.
My X3 had only covered about 30K when I recently replaced it with a 2015 X5 3.0D M Sport with 14K on the clock and 20" wheels. The X5 seems to have the same problem of wind noise, although nowhere near as bad and quite acceptable to me. Suprisingly road noise from the 20" wheels is far less intrusive than the 19" fitted to the X3.
Regarding tyre noise, on the X3 I changed the 19" RF tyres at 25K and had 19" Michelin RF fitted. The difference in road noise and "thumping" when hitting potholes, ridges etc. was extremely noticeable, being very much quieter. I would definitely recommend these tyres. Unfortunately at present it seems that the Michelins in 20" are currently not available  , although I am not currently in need of replacements for some time.
I am very pleased with my X5, it is very quiet inside, to the point that several people who have been in it have asked if it is a petrol engine !!! I do think that the M adaptive rear air suspension must help in this respect though, as the general ride comfort is excellent.
[/quote]

Thanks for the reply, most helpful. I do definitely think some of the noise is definitely a seat position related thing as we've mentioned. My head is next to/towards the rear of the pillar and I experimented this morning again moving my head in different positions. Moving my head in front of the pillar makes a marked difference.

My current tyres are the pirellis, when I looked on black circles no other options came up when I typed in my reg number. I might try entering the actual sizes rather than my reg plate and see what it comes up with.

[MarkG_M3CP]

My car came with Pirelli tyres and while the roadholding was great, noise and rim protection is the worst.

Swapped to Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT and tyre noise is reduced. Still too much road noise for the car class though.

[Snerkler]

[quote="MarkG_M50d"]
My car came with Pirelli tyres and while the roadholding was great, noise and rim protection is the worst.

Swapped to Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT and tyre noise is reduced. Still too much road noise for the car class though.
[/quote]
Thanks for the reply, will have a look at those. I guess you'd have to buy those god awful puncture repair kits if you go for none RF's, or can you get a space saver conversion for the boot space?

[Snerkler]

After a bit of research the quietest tyres that I've found according to the rating are the Dunlop SP Sport Max (not the GT) run flats rated at 69db compared to 75db of my current Pirellis, that should make quite a difference. They're also quieter (by 1db) than the non run flat Michelins. However, how specs compare to the real world I've no idea. The only trouble with the dunlops is that fuel economy is only rated E, which is the lowest of the lot. However, as I only do 800-9000miles/year noise is more important than economy.

I might give the Dunlops a go though when mine need replacing, although they still have 4mm on so won't be for a while.

[Ashway]

I've got the Dunlops on my M50D and can't say i'm aware of any excessive road noise at all. I also had these tyres on a 640D and they were good on that too, decent handling and good mileage.

PS welcome Snerks, I remember you from M3 cutters when you had your E92

[Snerkler]

[quote="Ashway"]
I've got the Dunlops on my M50D and can't say i'm aware of any excessive road noise at all. I also had these tyres on a 640D and they were good on that too, decent handling and good mileage.

PS welcome Snerks, I remember you from M3 cutters when you had your E92
[/quote]
Thanks. Wow you have a good memory  I'm still a member on there but haven't posted anything for years as obviously I don't own an M3 anymore

[MarkG_M3CP]

[quote="Snerkler"]
After a bit of research the quietest tyres that I've found according to the rating are the Dunlop SP Sport Max (not the GT) run flats rated at 69db compared to 75db of my current Pirellis, that should make quite a difference. They're also quieter (by 1db) than the non run flat Michelins. However, how specs compare to the real world I've no idea. The only trouble with the dunlops is that fuel economy is only rated E, which is the lowest of the lot. However, as I only do 800-9000miles/year noise is more important than economy.

I might give the Dunlops a go though when mine need replacing, although they still have 4mm on so won't be for a while.
[/quote]


Sorry, just double checked -  I have the Sport Maxx, NOT the GT.... went through exactly the research you have!

Pleased to say I have notice zero difference it the fuel economy but marked difference in the noise. Let us know what prices you find; I managed to get a full set below £1,000 in the end.

[MarkG_M3CP]

[quote="Snerkler"]
[quote="MarkG_M50d"]
My car came with Pirelli tyres and while the roadholding was great, noise and rim protection is the worst.

Swapped to Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT and tyre noise is reduced. Still too much road noise for the car class though.
[/quote]
Thanks for the reply, will have a look at those. I guess you'd have to buy those god awful puncture repair kits if you go for none RF's, or can you get a space saver conversion for the boot space?
[/quote]

There are space savers available (some dealers sell them on eBay), not sure you'd need the full conversion kit as it would happily sit under the floor - perhaps just make a hole in the carpet the insert the securing bolt.