I'm looking to get some dedicated summer tires and am trying to find some very quiet tires. I commute 50 miles each day through a windy mountain pass and would like to reduce as much road noise as possible. I'm currently sporting 205/55R16s -- the non-run flat variety. Safety is important, but sanity is vital, so above all I need them to be quiet.

I've read through other postings about quiet tires and found lots of people recommending the Avon Tech M500, however I can't seem to find them for sale anywhere. Have they been discontinued? Anyone know where I can get them or do you have a better recommendation for me?

Thanks.

Ocb

 

In 205/55-16 for quiet smooth street use.

For Ultra High Perf Summer tire
Michelin Pilot Exalto PE2
$143 each 240 treadwear
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=104

And don't rule out all season tires- some are very good for street use and quiet- not to mention long wearing and still very good on handling.

Grand Touring All Season tire (very good for commuting)
Michelin Primacy MXV4 $132 each 620 treadwear
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....l=Primacy+MXV4
Tests
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/...y.jsp?ttid=112

You can get Michelins through Alex@tirerack.com or
maybe your local Costco.

Other quiet tires-
In Ultra High Performance All Season tires 205/55-16
Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position
Pirelli PZero Nero M&S

 

I've got some Yokohama S.Drives, and I've been quite impressed with how quiet and comfortable they are, I'm comparing them to the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3s I was running. According to the test minihune linked to above, Michelin PE2s beat the S.Drives in just about every category.

However Consumer Reports compares the PE2s and the GS-D3s and gives the PE2s a "good" for noise, and the GS-D3s a "very good", which would make the S.Drives from my experience substantially quieter than the PE2s. (Consumer Reports never has a good reputation amoung gearheads, but noise and comfort are things I'd expect them to get right.)

I'm beginning to think you can't trust tire tests.

I've been looking for something quiter as well, I think I'll put the PE2s back on the list.

 

I replaced my OEM Goodyear 16" runflats with Michelin HP ZP runflats. Much quieter ride. A little bit smoother too. However, I'm getting about 3 MPG lower mileage on my Clubman S (29 MPG vs 32 MPG).

 

I've got Michelin PE2s on Shawn now, they're even quieter than the Yoko S.drives. The PE2s seem like a great all round summer tire, almost as stick as the Dunlop star specs I use on the track, but very quiet and smooth.

 

I have 205/45-17 tires on one set of wheels, and 205/55-16 Pirelli P-Zero Nero M&S all season tires on another set of wheels. I got the Pirellis for a quieter tire than the PE2. They were at first, but after 5-7K miles, they both sound about the same. Since I swap frequently, they have both been rotated more often than recommeded. So, lack or rotation shouldn't be the cause of the Pirelli getting louder.