09 Mini S at 66K and I have 23K on these dreaded Bridgestone Potenza GO19 tires. Rotated regularly, they are getting LOUDER and LOUDER. Tread depth is at .18 to .20" ~ so they are about half worn.

Can a change in tire pressure affect noise ? I normally run 38PSI but could go up down 3+ psi if it affected noise.

Handling and wear are great. Perhaps I should wear earplugs.

 

You can try whatever tire pressure you want, all tires age and the rubber gets harder which leads to them being very loud.

On a MINI if you can get about 20-25K miles with mixed driving that's OK.

The way to tell the big difference is to put on a set of new tires and instantly it is much much better.

Shop wisely as these days some tires are design for low noise, as well as higher mpg and more comfort while others are for sharp handling, performance, braking, or use in cold or wet conditions.

No tire does everything well and is affordable (relatively). Tires are all about compromise so be sure what you priorities are.

Check the build date on your tires and if they are four years old they are loud from age. Tread depth remaining is irrelevant to noise. If you see some cracks in the tire sidewall or shoulder that is also a sign of dry rot and age.

 

some tires get loud ... all you can do is read reviews B4 you buy

but that is not a perfect solution

I have tires on my wife's FIT right now that are HORRIBLE loud ... store says I didn't rotate them enough (and MINI says do not rotate . . .)

IME you can mitigate a bit with pressure changes

I once thought it was 'cheap tires' as what I have on wife's Fit ARE cheapo's, but son put Goodyear Eagles on his 02-S and they became the loudest tires I ever heard!

 

If you go to terrace.com and look up various tire classes there is a great deal of variation with respect to noise (when new) for a give tire class. All tire classes have tires that are loud and some that are not. Nearly all tire companies will have some tire models that are loud and some that are not. Tire cost does not reflect whether or not it is loud.

You need to be aware that as all tires age, they get loud. 3 or 4 years old is not going to be a quiet as new.

And if you really want loud, try on a set of Rally cross tires and take them on the highway, it sounds like those jacked up trucks with knobby tires on.

 

G019 does get some very exaggerated heel and toe tread block wear. I owned a set, that's how I know. Enough of a rumble to make you think you have a wheel bearing going. Replacing them is the only way around it. I rotated religiously, but this wear was inescapable.

 

Ditch them.
Get proper non-RFT tires for improved noise, handling, performance, and price point.

a

 

Had the G019s on the wife's subaru, they were LOUD! Replaced them with Continental DWS and it was night and day difference.