tire/ road noise hardtop less so - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

PatM · 07-31-2017, 01:54 PM

Has there been any research done noise levels on different brand tires??
I find my Continentals noisy.
Also will a hardtop reduce the noise level.
A note I have a 2000S with the top liner.
Thanks

steved0x · 07-31-2017, 02:06 PM

Tire Rack has a lot of reviews for tires, including ratings for road noise, check out some tires that you think you might like and see how they rate.

BoxsterSteve · 07-31-2017, 02:27 PM

I'd have to ask how old/worn your tires are.
The Bridgestones that were on my Boxster when I bought it got much noisier as I wore them out. I got a really loud "wah wah wah" from a heavy belt splice as they got close to her he wear bars.

PaulE · 07-31-2017, 04:49 PM

A factory hard top will make the car a little bit quieter. At least it does on my 2003 S, whose soft top has an inner headliner and a glass rear window. But I don't know how noisy your tires are. I have Michelins and don't have excessive tire noise, whether I'm running with the top down, soft top up or have the hard top on. I think if your tires are too noisy with the soft top up then a hard top isn't going to make that go away.

rick3000 · 07-31-2017, 05:32 PM

Noise levels are subjective, but I think the hardtop does a lot to decrease road noise, compared to an unlined soft top. However, its still not going to be as quiet as a coupe, and the hardtop will have it's own squeaks and noises on uneven roads.

rexcramer · 07-31-2017, 06:25 PM

I think the HT makes a noticeable noise reduction difference. Mostly, less wind noise. I have a 97 unlined/plastic window. I have never noticed any squeaks or rattles from the HT.

The Avon's (not noisy) I replaced in Jan/17 (with Hankook's) don't seem to me to be overly noisy.

+1 for reading thru Tirerack. A wealth of free info on that site.

jakeru · 07-31-2017, 06:27 PM

Yes, I found the hardtop reduces the noise levels noticeably compared to soft top. This was on my 2001 with factory-spec plastic rear window soft top and headliner, FWIW.

Disaster · 08-01-2017, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatM

Has there been any research done noise levels on different brand tires??
I find my Continentals noisy.
Also will a hardtop reduce the noise level.
A note I have a 2000S with the top liner.
Thanks

A hard top will reduce noise from other people's tires, but not so much your own. That is transmitted up through the wheel wells and suspension. As was mentioned, tire noise varies greatly by brand and model and a poor alignment can cause major noise (as well as premature wear.)

P.S. I just upgraded to a 987 and the top is quieter which makes the tire noise even more noticeable because it is a larger percentage of the noise.

That986 · 08-01-2017, 07:04 AM

If you find the Continentals noisy then don't go to the Bridgestone, they're worse.

ymkmkrz · 08-01-2017, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick3000

Noise levels are subjective, but I think the hardtop does a lot to decrease road noise, compared to an unlined soft top. However, its still not going to be as quiet as a coupe, and the hardtop will have it's own squeaks and noises on uneven roads.

So true. I like the hardtop but it rattles some on rough roads.

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ymkmkrz · 08-01-2017, 01:22 PM

I put all season Michelins on my car in the winter and they are much quieter than any summer tires I've had, particularly after they have a bit of wear. Continentals and Dunlop Star Spec were the noisiest summer tires I've had. Again that is after say 3-4k mikes on to 10 if I can stand it that long.

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