[metrathon]

I had to drop my Sport for service and I got a no-line. The difference in road noise between my non RF 18" and the RF 17" wheels is HUGE. With 17, finally, the road noise is at an acceptable level, like a car in this category should be. The wind noise and the "damn, my window won't close all the way up" noises are still there, but at least the road noise is manageable. I can only imagine how noisy the 19s are ...

I'm SERIOUSLY thinking to forgo the looks next time and go with the low-life 17s.

[Dr.HiTcH]

Originally Posted by metrathon

I had to drop my Sport for service and I got a no-line. The difference in road noise between my non RF 18" and the RF 17" wheels is HUGE. With 17, finally, the road noise is at an acceptable level, like a car in this category should be. The wind noise and the "damn, my window won't close all the way up" noises are still there, but at least the road noise is manageable. I can only imagine how noisy the 19s are ...

I'm SERIOUSLY thinking to forgo the looks next time and go with the low-life 17s.

i had the 19'' RF and they were noisy like hell,,
i changed to non RF 19'' and they are in acceptable range of noise, at least for me

[300hp]

Can someone help me understand what this road noise is. I have 19" summer RFTs and personally I don't define these as noisy. My x5 is also on 19" rfts but it has all seasons and I don't notice any difference in noise levels between the two. I have driven a Nissan sentra, a couple of other BMWs this year but to be honest none of these cars seemed to be noisier than the other.

I have come across some jeep wranglers with some wide tire setup and all you can hear is the tire noise as they approach you, is this the road noise people are referring to?

[OC40]

Originally Posted by 300hp

Can someone help me understand what this road noise is. I have 19" summer RFTs and personally I don't define these as noisy. My x5 is also on 19" rfts but it has all seasons and I don't notice any difference in noise levels between the two. I have driven a Nissan sentra, a couple of other BMWs this year but to be honest none of these cars seemed to be noisier than the other.

I have come across some jeep wranglers with some wide tire setup and all you can hear is the tire noise as they approach you, is this the road noise people are referring to?

Same here. 19 RFT's without much noise.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by 300hp

Can someone help me understand what this road noise is. I have 19" summer RFTs and personally I don't define these as noisy. My x5 is also on 19" rfts but it has all seasons and I don't notice any difference in noise levels between the two. I have driven a Nissan sentra, a couple of other BMWs this year but to be honest none of these cars seemed to be noisier than the other.

I have come across some jeep wranglers with some wide tire setup and all you can hear is the tire noise as they approach you, is this the road noise people are referring to?

Yes, that's it. See, the problem is personal perception. What it's noisy for me, it might be alright for you. I'm not debating that.

All I'm saying is that the difference in road noise between 17 RF and 18 non-RF is big. At least in the F30.

[300hp]

Originally Posted by metrathon

Yes, that's it. See, the problem is personal perception. What it's noisy for me, it might be alright for you. I'm not debating that.

All I'm saying is that the difference in road noise between 17 RF and 18 non-RF is big. At least in the F30.

Ok got it. I was just trying to see what I am missing but I guess as you said this is just about perception

[alienranch]

I did notice a reduction in sound with my 19" RFT to Non-RFT

[penet05]

Originally Posted by metrathon

I had to drop my Sport for service and I got a no-line. The difference in road noise between my non RF 18" and the RF 17" wheels is HUGE. With 17, finally, the road noise is at an acceptable level, like a car in this category should be. The wind noise and the "damn, my window won't close all the way up" noises are still there, but at least the road noise is manageable. I can only imagine how noisy the 19s are ...

I'm SERIOUSLY thinking to forgo the looks next time and go with the low-life 17s.

How is the noise difference between the original RF 18" on your car to current setup (non-RF 18")?

[billiebob]

My 17 inch rf TURANZAS are quieter than the 18 inch Bridgestone staggered s001. Not a huge amount though because a lot of the noise I hear is wind noise

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by penet05

How is the noise difference between the original RF 18" on your car to current setup (non-RF 18")?

Not so much difference. It's there but very subtle. The latest generation RFs got very good.

[G30 B58]

it not the size of the tire......

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by F32 N55

it not the size of the tire......

I know it's also about the rubber, wear, thread type, etc
But if all things being equal or mostly equal, it is the size that will make the biggest difference because usually bigger size = wider tire.

[G30 B58]

Originally Posted by metrathon

I know it's also about the rubber, wear, thread type, etc
But if all things being equal or mostly equal, it is the size that will make the biggest difference because usually bigger size = wider tire.

wider yes, not the diameter.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by F32 N55

wider yes, not the diameter.

99.9% of the scenarios applying to F30 the diameter and width of the tire go hand in hand.

[CHCCubs]

Can't say I find any difference in road noise when I swap out my stock 18s for my 17 inch winter set.

[300hp]

Originally Posted by metrathon

99.9% of the scenarios applying to F30 the diameter and width of the tire go hand in hand.

I was thinking the same thing

[snj49er]

Originally Posted by metrathon

The wind noise and the "damn, my window won't close all the way up" noises are still there, but at least the road noise is manageable.

17s?

Here's the trick: crank the radio way up for about 30 years and I can pretty much guarantee that you won't really give a crap about road noise at that point. You can get similar results in just a few thousand miles on an old Ducati with a gutted exhaust.