Is250 Awd Road Noise & Smaller Wheels

[Salinger]

We have an '09 IS250 AWD with 17" wheels and the original Bridgestone Potenza tires. The road noise is pretty bad. I know that going to different tires may help, but does anyone have any advice about whether going to a 16" wheel would also help? I know this will affect handling a bit, and that I will have to get a higher profile tire to match the existing diameter to keep the speedometer more or less accurate. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[smooth1]

I don't know that investing a couple grand into smaller tires is a very "feasable" answer for the very little differences your going to get. I think if you just install a better suited tire. How many miles are on the set of tires you have now?

[linn]

We have an '09 IS250 AWD with 17" wheels and the original Bridgestone Potenza tires. The road noise is pretty bad. I know that going to different tires may help, but does anyone have any advice about whether going to a 16" wheel would also help? I know this will affect handling a bit, and that I will have to get a higher profile tire to match the existing diameter to keep the speedometer more or less accurate. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Hi!

I had the same issue with my 07 IS250 and its Dunlop-17"-Tires. I switched to Michelin-16"-tires. It's not much - but noticeable - more quiet in die cabin now. It's also a little bit more comfortable on uneven roads now.

linn

[Salinger]

I don't know that investing a couple grand into smaller tires is a very "feasable" answer for the very little differences your going to get. I think if you just install a better suited tire. How many miles are on the set of tires you have now?

We have about 15,000 miles on the tires.

[Salinger]

We have an '09 IS250 AWD with 17" wheels and the original Bridgestone Potenza tires. The road noise is pretty bad. I know that going to different tires may help, but does anyone have any advice about whether going to a 16" wheel would also help? I know this will affect handling a bit, and that I will have to get a higher profile tire to match the existing diameter to keep the speedometer more or less accurate. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Hi!

I had the same issue with my 07 IS250 and its Dunlop-17"-Tires. I switched to Michelin-16"-tires. It's not much - but noticeable - more quiet in die cabin now. It's also a little bit more comfortable on uneven roads now.

linn

What kind and what size of Michelins did you go with? Did the speedometer remain accurate? Thanks.

[Heavy Metal]

Bridgestones are known for being pretty quite tire overall, but you can do better. Look at the reviews on Tirerack for noise comparisons.

Dropping to a smaller rim will have no effect on noise, because as you surmised, the diameter (hence the distance from the noise source to the cabin) will remain the same. Only tread design or additional chassis sound dampening will tackle the problem.

Smaller rims and taller sidewall will gain you in ride comfort at a loss of quicker steering response.

Vince

[Salinger]

Bridgestones are known for being pretty quite tire overall, but you can do better. Look at the reviews on Tirerack for noise comparisons.

Dropping to a smaller rim will have no effect on noise, because as you surmised, the diameter (hence the distance from the noise source to the cabin) will remain the same. Only tread design or additional chassis sound dampening will tackle the problem.

Smaller rims and taller sidewall will gain you in ride comfort at a loss of quicker steering response.

Vince

I thought that having the extra 1/2 inch of rubber between the road and the rim would absorb some of the vibration; that is, it wouldn't transmit as much noise and vibration to the rim and suspension. Might make more sense to spend the money on sound dampening rather than buying a new set of wheels, though. Thanks.

[SW03ES]

The single biggest thing that will help with noise is tires. The difference in the sidewall height between a 15 & 16" rim is so small you may get some benefit out of ride control, but probably not noise.

What I would do is look for a good grand touring tire, like the Michelin Primacy MXV4. Don't know if they come in that size, but I think you're going to get more return from that than spending money on slightly smaller wheels.

[Salinger]

The single biggest thing that will help with noise is tires. The difference in the sidewall height between a 15 & 16" rim is so small you may get some benefit out of ride control, but probably not noise.

What I would do is look for a good grand touring tire, like the Michelin Primacy MXV4. Don't know if they come in that size, but I think you're going to get more return from that than spending money on slightly smaller wheels.

Thanks, Steve. Consumer Reports gave that tire their highest rating, but it's not available in the size I need. Any experience with the Michelin Pilot MXM4?