Road Noise CLS

[assad]

Hi
Just bought a new CLS 320CDI.
I have noticed a lot of road noise specialy at motorway speeds.
Has anyone else experienced this problem.
The alloys are 18" 245mm 40mm and the tyres are a Mitchelin Pilot Sport MO.
Regards
Assad

 

[Blobcat]

The noise is down to the wheel and tyre combination. Although large rims look good they do nothing for comfort or sound insulation. If you are really unhappy it may be worth speaking with your dealer about changing them.
I was looking at a CLS yesterday in my dealer, it had 18's on with 245 on the front and 275 on the rear. Looked good but I wouldn't want to drive it far on the roads I live near.

 

[jberks]

Yes, probably down to the size. I also have 245/45's and they aren't the quietest things I've ever driven on (very grippy though).

Also noise is dramatically affected by the make of tyre. I replaced continentals on my last E with Vredesteins and they were noticably more noisy. Allegedly it's down to the width of the gaps between the tread. The wider and deeper, the better the grip in wet conditions (vredesteins are renowned for this) but with the downside of the higher the noise level. However, as the tyres wear, they quieten down for the same reason.

Have a look at the reviews on www.mytyres.co.uk and see whether the ones fitted to your car are any worse for noise than any other. May give you a different make or model to go for.

BTW it's 245mm 40% (the sidewall is 40% of the width)

 

[assad]

CLS Road Noise

Hi went back to the dealer today.
They are saying it possibly could be the Michelin's.
They are going to try and do a tyre swap to Continetal Contact Sport 2.
They reckon they are a softer compound and should be quieter on the road.
Regards
Assad

 

[clive williams]

Hi
Just bought a new CLS 320CDI.
I have noticed a lot of road noise specialy at motorway speeds.
Has anyone else experienced this problem.
The alloys are 18" 245mm 40mm and the tyres are a Mitchelin Pilot Sport MO.
Regards
Assad

Assad,

I'd go along with Blobcat on the noise generated by the wheel/tyre sizing. It could get expensive to keep trying different makes to find the quietest. I also agree with JB that the noise is also a factor of the void ratio i.e. the amount of grooves to solid and the greater the depth of tread the greater the squirming of the solid blocks and hence noise amplification. In order to cut noise tyre manufacturers the manf. try to reduce the regularity of the tread pattern.

You are also caught at the wront end of the tyre compromises. Such a large section width/low profile tyre is normally taken as a 'performance' tyre so low noise is not a high priority.

One last thought, check out what makes the high performance limos - Maybach, Rollers, Bentley etc are using they will give you a pointer as to which tyres might be quieter.

Clive
500E
E320CDIT210

 

[normano]

Before buying my CLS I tried out one with std wheels and one with the larger alloys over the same roads. The difference in noise and 'thump' transmitted from the road from the larger wheels was immediately obvious, so much so, that I opted for the standard wheels.

 

[assad]

New tyres

Hi it was the tyres.
Merc changed them for Dunlop's instead and there is a big differance.
Also as they did not no have another CLS with the same size wheels to swap with, they upgraded my wheels from 18" 245 40 alround to 18" 245 40 fronts and 18" 275 35 rears.
Regards
Assad

 

[jberks]

It is amazing the difference it can make. Having just changed my tyres, the noise level has reduced dramatically too.

 

[Rory]

Hi it was the tyres.
Merc changed them for Dunlop's instead and there is a big differance.
Also as they did not no have another CLS with the same size wheels to swap with, they upgraded my wheels from 18" 245 40 alround to 18" 245 40 fronts and 18" 275 35 rears.
Regards
Assad

Did they do all this free of charge? If so, I'm amazed!

 

[Blobcat]

Did they do all this free of charge? If so, I'm amazed!

If I had just handed over ~£50K I would expect nothing else

 

[assad]

If I had just handed over ~£50K I would expect nothing else

I just feel sorry for person who buys the car with my old tyres.
1 becasue they are now down graded
2 because I had covered 1300 miles.
Regards Assad

 

[jberks]

I guess they simply found another CLS on the forecourt and swapped with that. Cost the dealer nothing and the new buyer probably won't notice so everyone is a winner. If you'd demanded they fit brand new tyres, I suspect you would have had a fight on your hands. Excellent compromise and one I recommend to all, if you want something expensive changing, its always worth suggesting the nick a slightly used one from elsewhere. I got the "Sorry Sir, there isn't enough left in the car, you'll have to pay £400" cd changer for my last W210 free that way.

On the upside, you get the tyres you want and a free upgrade but on the downside, these tyres may have done a little more mileage that your old ones. Still a good deal for all IMO.

 

[assad]

New tyres

I guess they simply found another CLS on the forecourt and swapped with that. Cost the dealer nothing and the new buyer probably won't notice so everyone is a winner. If you'd demanded they fit brand new tyres, I suspect you would have had a fight on your hands. Excellent compromise and one I recommend to all, if you want something expensive changing, its always worth suggesting the nick a slightly used one from elsewhere. I got the "Sorry Sir, there isn't enough left in the car, you'll have to pay £400" cd changer for my last W210 free that way.

On the upside, you get the tyres you want and a free upgrade but on the downside, these tyres may have done a little more mileage that your old ones. Still a good deal for all IMO.

Mine had done 1300 miles but the ones they gave me were off a new car.