need recomendation on tires

[dallison]

anything new will be much quieter

[Mike_Yi]

I had cheap Kuhmos on my Boxster when I bought it, and until I got them replaced, I would have sworn that the rear wheel bearings were shot. I got Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetrics, and they are much better. Great tire.

[Lightning]

If it's a wheel bearing, drive the car with the top up and the windows closed, and you or your passenger should be able to identify which corner of the car the noise is coming from. Then jack up the car, remove the wheel, put it in neutral and release the parking brake if it's a rear corner (but remember to block the front wheels) and rotate the hub/brake disc assembly. If it feels the least bit rough/grindy when you rotate it, it probably needs a new wheel bearing. Do remember that rotating a rear wheel will also rotate a half shaft and part of the diff.

As far a tires, Tire Rack has a nice survey section where people rate the tires on various aspects, and noise comfort is one of them.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/surveyresults/index.jsp

People also post reviews on the tires. I know it's sometimes Joe Schmo filling out the surveys, but the massive number of responses they get tends to smooth out the data (at least on the surveys). Probably the most important aspect to the survey is "Would Buy Again?".

[Adam]

Originally Posted by dallison

anything new will be much quieter

Exactly. When the tire wears down substantially the contact patch between rubber and road increases along with road noise so anything with renewed tread depth will be quieter.

[mikefocke]

is they are comparing worn down tires to new ones and their review will almost always be biased towards justifying the wisdom of their choice in purchasing the tires.

Plus they probably got an alignment and the tire pressures right for a change.

Michelin PS2 in specific model number for the Porsche, Kumho and Sumitomho HTRZ III are the tires I hear a lot about. But depends on what besides quiet you need. Ever drive in below 40 road temperatures? Then all-seasons. Or if you are in South FL, then maybe just UHP summer is the type.

No such thing as a perfect tire.

[Quickurt]

Originally Posted by mikefocke

is they are comparing worn down tires to new ones and their review will almost always be biased towards justifying the wisdom of their choice in purchasing the tires.

Plus they probably got an alignment and the tire pressures right for a change.

Michelin PS2 in specific model number for the Porsche, Kumho and Sumitomho HTRZ III are the tires I hear a lot about. But depends on what besides quiet you need. Ever drive in below 40 road temperatures? Then all-seasons. Or if you are in South FL, then maybe just UHP summer is the type.

No such thing as a perfect tire.

More true words were never spoken (or typed) !
I tend to search down the review threads to find drivers who have had the tires for at least 10k miles and have had several sets on the same car to compare. These reviewers seem to be more honest with themselves.
I had four sets in 80k miles on my RX8 and the Goodyear F1- GSD3 was head and shoulders above the others - on THAT car.
I only have 2k miles on the Sumis on my Box and they're only my second set on this car, so toss some of those salt grains over the shoulder when I say I'm happy, so far.