How do you think about the noise of your i30

andrew · **July 14, 2009, 20:18:53**

I haven't driven mine on motorway yet, but I feel a little bit noisy even at the speed around 80km/h. My friend's 8 year old Citroen Xsara is much quieter. I have not much idea about car noise though. This is just my first car. I would like to hear what you guys think.

eye30 · **Reply #1: July 14, 2009, 20:29:41**

Besides normal road noise from tyres mines quite at 70 mph (112 kph)

swiss_i30cw · **Reply #2: July 14, 2009, 20:46:55**

The Xsara, even relatively old now remains a car with a very quiet ride. At least a Citroen has this quality.
The i30 is relatively quiet but there is a lot of noise of the body in case of strong rain or stones hitting the body. The engine sound is also a bit high due to the relatively high RPM of the engine in fifth gear on the highway (130 km/h).
However I think these are minor points. In town and up to 80 km/h I find the ride very smooth and quiet.

Shambles · **Reply #3: July 14, 2009, 21:06:36**

Haven't driven a petrol i30. I was led to believe they were reasonably quiet, although the sound-proofing we have in our oil-burning diesels helps us a lot. I don't think you have that under-bonnet cladding...?

Plus, check your tyre pressures.

donc · **Reply #4: July 14, 2009, 21:45:02**

The only noise I would consider loud enough to be irritating (from the our 2.0 ltr SLX) is tyre noise. We are still running the OEM Korean tyres however will soon be switching to Bridgestones. Hopefully this will resolve the issue.

Dazzler · **Reply #5: July 14, 2009, 21:45:25**

Over here the i30 would be in about the middle of its class as far as noise goes.. Noisier than some but quieter than the Lancer or Mazda 3..

Like swiss_i30cw says I would consider it pretty quiet up to 80 or 100kph getting a bit noisy above that on course bitumen..

andrew · **Reply #6: July 14, 2009, 21:51:37**

Quote from: donc on July 14, 2009, 21:45:02

The only noise I would consider loud enough to be irritating (from the our 2.0 ltr SLX) is tyre noise. We are still running the OEM Korean tyres however will soon be switching to Bridgestones. Hopefully this will resolve the issue.

I think it is the tyre noise that irritates me the most too! Keep us updated for your new tyres.

MRH130 · **Reply #7: July 14, 2009, 23:13:58**

The engine gets a bit vocal at high revs, but apart from that I find the i30 quite refined. I did have a fair bit of road noise on coarse chip roads (from the original 17 inch Hankooks) but since I put my new tyres on that's improved a lot.

Xsara has a different type of suspension, not totally surprising it might be a bit quieter than the i30. You made the right choice though, trust me.

2i30s · **Reply #8: July 15, 2009, 10:47:33**

what price is a citron compared to an i30. are we compering a $30.000 car to a$20.000 i30 sx.?

whitbomb07 · **Reply #9: July 15, 2009, 11:49:54**

I'd have to agree that tyre noise needs to be improved. I don't think wind is an issue, I just can't believe some people don't like engine noise! I love hearing the engine working.

The coarse bitumen on many back roads (and some major thoroughfares) is the worst culprit here in Australia.

But the i30 is a big improvement over my old '94 Pulsar. At highway speeds the noise was nearly unbearable (I do have very sensitive ears though).

Regards

Daniel

Dazzler · **Reply #10: July 15, 2009, 12:06:46**

Quote from: MRH130 on July 14, 2009, 23:13:58

The engine gets a bit vocal at high revs, but apart from that I find the i30 quite refined. I did have a fair bit of road noise on coarse chip roads (from the original 17 inch Hankooks) but since I put my new tyres on that's improved a lot.

Hi Michael.. have you said what tyres you run now?

MRH130 · **Reply #11: July 15, 2009, 13:32:13**

Quote from: Dazz on July 15, 2009, 12:06:46

Hi Michael.. have you said what tyres you run now?

Hi Dazz,

Yep I think I put it in another post somewhere, I went for Goodyear Eagle F1s. I've used them before and they're absolutely brilliant. The original Hankooks on my car were pretty good, IMHO the OE Kumhos on some SRs give a slightly better turn-in but the car feels awesome with the Eagle F1s.

They're probably a bit posher and more expensive a tyre than one would usually fit on a normal car, but I love the extra grip, especially in the wet. And they're quieter than the old tyres although I'm sure there are quieter tyres on the market.

Dazzler · **Reply #12: July 15, 2009, 13:34:56**

Thanks Michael..

For my SLX I don't think I'll go to that level.. still got perhaps 6 months to make a decision (possibly more) by then I'll know whether I'm going to keep her or trade on another diesel (of some sort)

MRH130 · **Reply #13: July 15, 2009, 14:00:04**

aw come on Dazz, you have to trade it on another i30...

Dazzler · **Reply #14: July 15, 2009, 14:00:45**

Probably...

wearyone · **Reply #15: July 15, 2009, 21:43:23**

The 1.4 petrol i30 I tested was comparable to my current Mazda 3TS (petrol...I get delivery of the i30 Style diesel end of August) and was quieter than the Citroen ZX I used to own. Ive mentioned this before but the 1.4 Comfort I drove had under bonnet lagging/soundproofing, perhaps it gets missed at times??

ozsnowman · **Reply #16: July 15, 2009, 22:53:26**

I must admit, I love the sound of the motor when it's revving up

Tyre noise is loud, but I'd been told to look at some new Michelin tyres, the Primacy LC - I'm due to replace mine very very soon. These apparently have very low rolling resistance, and are touted (By Michelin) to be one of the quietest tyres around.
http://www.jaxquickfit.com.au/blog/2009/04/michelin-primacy-lc-tyre-is-quieter-and-saves-more-fuel/

They aren't cheap at around $230 each, but my local Bob Jane said they bought some cheap and can offer them to me for $165 each

Dazzler · **Reply #17: July 15, 2009, 23:16:18**

Quote from: ozsnowman on July 15, 2009, 22:53:26

They aren't cheap at around $230 each, but my local Bob Jane said they bought some cheap and can offer them to me for $165 each

That sounds like a great deal..I'm easier on my tyres than you are.. hope I can get a deal like that in the next 6 to 8 months...

L30N · **Reply #18: July 15, 2009, 23:23:46**

My 1.4 petrol with 15'' wheels compares favourably with other cars including a 2009 diesel ford focus that I recently drove. Gets a bit noisy at higher speeds over 60mph. Interesting to read Shambles' post about soundproofing, think I'll ask the dealer about that when I get the first service in 3 weeks time. Can anyone explain how tyre profile/width affects road noise as I was thinking of getting bigger wheels at some point in the future.

Dazzler · **Reply #19: July 16, 2009, 12:08:40**

Quote from: L30N on July 15, 2009, 23:23:46

Can anyone explain how tyre profile/width affects road noise as I was thinking of getting bigger wheels at some point in the future.

There are a lot of factors that affect road noise as far as tyres are concerned. including the softness of the compound, the tread pattern (a more open tread pattern is supposed to be quieter) , the construction and materials used (e.g. silica) and even the tyre pressures. From my experience lower profile (sportier tyres) are usually wider as well and this gives more contact with the road with plus side of more grip but downside of more noise... (all other factors being equal)

ozsnowman · **Reply #20: July 16, 2009, 13:55:59**

Quote from: Dazz on July 15, 2009, 23:16:18

That sounds like a great deal..I'm easier on my tyres than you are.. hope I can get a deal like that in the next 6 to 8 months...

I'm just hoping that he remembers it next week when I get paid and go in hehe

I figure at least I'm going to try and get 2 quite decent tyres for the fronts, as they are doing all the work. The rears can be standard tyres, seeing as all it does is some braking, and keep the cars a#se off the ground!

Dazzler · **Reply #21: July 16, 2009, 23:28:35**

I went to Bob Janes for a sticky yesterday.. The guy said they had those Michelins for $169 last month but much dearer now...(down here anyway)

Apparently they do Bob Jane Zenon in our size for $149 each and he raved about those (for the price) said they are a Bridgestone derivative and are fairly quiet and sporty..

Where I get my cars serviced is a direct competitor of theirs and my friend there would kill me if I bought from Bob Janes.. So I'll have to see what he can come up with when I'm ready...

ozsnowman · **Reply #22: July 17, 2009, 08:57:20**

I went into Bob Jane and booked in for next week today, luckily, as I got the last 2 of the cheap tyres put aside! Two doors up from them is a Jax Quickfit which wanted $210, so I'll grab the two for $165 anytime!

I might grab a couple of Energy XM1+ for the rear, or maybe even some of those Zenon Dazz just mentioned if they are any good

Dazzler · **Reply #23: July 17, 2009, 10:02:52**

Quote from: ozsnowman on July 17, 2009, 08:57:20

I went into Bob Jane and booked in for next week today, luckily, as I got the last 2 of the cheap tyres put aside! Two doors up from them is a Jax Quickfit which wanted $210, so I'll grab the two for $165 anytime!

I might grab a couple of Energy XM1+ for the rear, or maybe even some of those Zenon Dazz just mentioned if they are any good

Good pickup M8.. I don't like to see people mixing their tyres.. worries me about stability and consistency of handling in the wet..

If you can hold off for the other two I'd wait until you can pick up/afford two more michelins of the same or similar specs...

Think it looks better on the car and to any potential buyer as well..

ozsnowman · **Reply #24: July 17, 2009, 10:52:49**

Quote from: Dazz on July 17, 2009, 10:02:52

Good pickup M8.. I don't like to see people mixing their tyres.. worries me about stability and consistency of handling in the wet..

If you can hold off for the other two I'd wait until you can pick up/afford two more michelins of the same or similar specs...

Think it looks better on the car and to any potential buyer as well..

Well, according to the dude at BJ, the Primacy are the replacements for the XM1+ tyres, so they should be a fairly good fit together. Be that as it may though, I am waiting, as the backs still have a few thousand km left on them yet, so heres hoping for a sale

Lakes · **Reply #25: July 17, 2009, 21:18:16**

I'm not worried about the tyre's, as they seem to be working ok for me.
but i rotate keeping tyres rolling same direction as they were just i put front on the rear and rear on the front, also keep them inflated so they don't get hot. seems to help them last on rear wheel drive . just think front wheel drive would be harder on tyre wear.
so as i like to rotate i like four tyres the same, i have never mixed tyre front and rear.
after reading what MRHi30 has said about GoodYear F1, sounds like they are a good directional tyre, i've only ever had two tyre's that gave me a drematic improved driving feel, and i can tell you it is a joy to change to new tyres that give your car a better feel and help it steer better. also i have had good results with goodyear tyres the past 10 years.
only other tyres i had that had outstanding feel was the $600 each Continentals sports they were the best bar non wet weather tyre i've ever used , but i got a flat tyre after only two weeks and a big nail went through the side wall $600 for a replacement tyre. would not use them on the i30. another good feeling tyre i had many many years ago was a Kleber think they were french.
i think i'll just keep what i've got on now till they wear out then work out what i want, just hope Ozsnowman can give feed back on the Michelin, and economy difference and feel he gets in steering. the steering in the i30 is not perfect so any improvement would be great.

ozsnowman · **Reply #26: July 18, 2009, 05:42:32**

Quote from: Lakes on July 17, 2009, 21:18:16

i think i'll just keep what i've got on now till they wear out then work out what i want, just hope Ozsnowman can give feed back on the Michelin, and economy difference and feel he gets in steering. the steering in the i30 is not perfect so any improvement would be great.

I was thinking about that, and what I might do is Thursday take my notetaker in the car, and describe a few things as I'm driving, how it behaves around diffeent sections of road, try and be quite clinical, then after Friday, I can compare how the new tyres go, and hopefully have something more useful than just me gushing about them

(If indeed they are any good!)

Lakes · **Reply #27: July 18, 2009, 08:10:20**

that will be great, i know a guy that uses the michelin energy the one before this new one, he said he noticed they roll perfectly smooth no high spots and said he got better economy but never said how much better and was not an i30, did not say anything about steering feel.
i went from 15" to 16" SLX wheels that had almost brand new stock tyres on could not notice much difference at all, thats just driving around sydney, then i went on a trip in the mountains and i could feel was a bit better in steering but not that much of a gain. no economy gain or loss eather way, and side by side the two wheels and tyres seem to have same hight, one bigger profile the other lower profile with just 1" diff in wheel diamiter. but much easier to change wheels with the 16" mags as can see the wheels studs very easy. never got to weigh the two but might do that soon as lighter weight helps.

Dazzler · **Reply #28: July 18, 2009, 22:53:49**

I'm guessing with only two tyres changed the economy won't be much different and may only help the tyre noise a little..

With them being fitted to the front i would hope we get feedback that the steering feels better.. (I am a big fan of Michelins from the days I used to run a Fiat ...

)

MelWA · **Reply #29: July 20, 2009, 09:56:42**

I've found mine to be very quiet on the open road. Front-wheel drives are normally noisy. Our roads up here aren't exactly airport-tarmac smooth but I've no complaints about road noise.