I'm currently running Toyo T1-S tires on my MINI and while the grip is excellent, the noise level is terrible. They are so loud that friends that ride with me are convinced that my wheel bearings and CV joints are coming apart. I've swapped other wheels and tires onto the car and have verified that the noise is indeed coming from the tires.

I want to replace the Toyos with the stickiest quiet tire available. Or maybe the quietest sticky tire available. I've done a lot of searches in the tire forum and have seen the Avon M500 mentioned several times as being a very quiet tire. I'm unfamiliar with this tire and how it compares to other tires in the performance area.

To summarize and prioritize what I'm looking for:
1. Quiet
2. Dry grip
3. Wet grip
The least important thing to me is tread wear, so possible choices could get into the "track day" tire area and be okay.

Thanks,
John

I just got a set of Nokian Zs. I know nobody's heard of them but they are very impressive. Quiet, sticky, great wet traction and a good wear rating. They have just been introduced and a good retailer should be able to get the special introductory price. I paid $99 and was quoted as much as $165 by other places.

I just purchased a set of Kumho Ecsta SPT, as Alex from the Tire Rack mentioned they were a more quiet performance tire. I'm expecting delivery today, so I'll let you know how they fare.

With out a doubt, go with the Toyo RA1, un-shaved.

Thanks for the recommendations.

I saw where the T1Rs were supposed to be quieter with better grip than the T1-S, but I was a little apprehensive to try another set of Toyos, so I haven't looked into the T1R or RA1s.

I just checked the Toyo website and the RA1s don't come in a wide variety of sizes. I'm currently running 205/45-16s and yes, the speedometer accuracy is way off, but the tires only weigh 18.1 lbs and the gearing is a bit better IMO. The closest I can get in the RA1s is a 205/55-16 at 23 lbs. Maybe I'm being too picky, but thats more than twice what my wheels weigh. I would like to stay with the 205/45-16 or 205/50-16 if possible.

Thanks,
John

Well I don't know if I am going to be a good judge or not, but I had the T1S mounted for a year and now have the T1R. I didn't really have that much of a noise problem with the T1S, but I sure did wear down the T1S in a year! So far the T1R have been doing very well, wet and dry. It it wasn't so far to TX I would be happy to let you give them a try.

Check these out:

I am running 215/40/17 Dunlop FM 901, threadwear 200,

Great grip, not noisy at all and available at a very reasonnable price

I'll be getting TR1s installed Friday.
I sure hope they aren't loud.
I'll let you know what i think compared to the stock runflats.

What about the Goodyear F1 GS-D3?? Can some one comment on their noise level compared to the factory performance Dunlop RFs?

I'm also running the Dunlops in a 215/45-17. I agree with Victor, great grip, very good in the wet and quiet. That 200 treadwear is not kidding. I've worn the set out in one season of about 20K of driving. I put them on right before I left for the Dragon last year and we had a fair bit of moisture combined with leaves on the road and the Dunlops responded very good.

I have a set of Avon M500 in a 215/50-16, and they are indeed very quiet--of course this is in comparison to the stock run-flats.

RA1 for the track

Michellin Exalto PE2 for the road - extremely quite and comfortable, better dry grip than Kumho 712, waaaay better wet grip than 712, can be rotated to any corner aiding treadlife - not directional in other words.

What do you consider noise? When I think of tire noise, I think of the whirring sound the tire makes just because it's rolling in contact with the surface. I've honestly never heard my Dunlop RFs make any rolling contact noise, although any RF will transmit bump noise through the suspension more so than non-RFs (as you would expect). Tire inflation levels make a big difference too. It's hard to make generalizations when there's so many variables, tire inflation rates and road surface differences to name a few.

I can't speak for the Goodyears, but my Toyo T1-S makes a whirring noise similar to offroad truck tires, but not quite as loud. I've wondered if one of those variables that you mentioned might include sidewall height. It seems like the shorter and stiffer the sidewall, the more noise might be transmitted.

Thanks for all the recommendations so far,
John

P.S. You might enjoy seeing what tires and wheels I temporarily put on the MINI that verified how noisy the Toyos were:



These are Yokohama Advan A048s with wheels from a Lotus Elise. I took the photo from this angle so it wouldn't be so obvious that I had 16" on front and 17" on the rear. Hey, it was just for testing purposes anyway. These tires were extremely quiet compared to the Toyo T1-S.

For MOTD06, I will be wearing Nitto NT01 225/45-17

WOW, I never could've guessed that Lotus Elise staggered wheels would look so good on a MINI! The Lotus badges match our LY/B somewhat, too... Hmm...idea growing

My vote goes out to the BFGoodrich KDW-2. I had them on my Jetta (1.8T modified). I used to be able to spin through 2nd, but once I switch the the KDW-2's, they would only chirp. I previously had Michelin Pilot Sports...loud as hell, and they would just spin. At $225 a piece for the Pilot Sports, I opted for the much cheaper BFGoodrich tires (I think $145 a piece).

I've also heard good things about Avon Tires. Check them out if BFGoodrich isn't the way you want to go

DesingIt,
I had the exact same citeria as you and choose Goodyear F1's. I was very conscious of tire noise for the 46 miles the Dunlop’s were on the car and can say the F1's are notably quieter. I have 850 miles on mine and just ordered a second set, because of tire racks sale price of 95 vs 146 three weeks ago...

What offset are you running with those Sid?

40...I anticipate that I will have to trim some fenders...

I think that's a fair assumption. Check out the attached photo showing tire and fender clearance. The Lotus wheels are 31mm offset front, and 38mm rear. The front tires are 195/50-16 and the rear are 225/45-17. I didn't push it too hard in the corners when I was trying these tires.

I think my extra 2mm ET and greater camber (-2.1 front/-1.6 rear) will help...if all else fails, I can remove my 5mm spacers

what wheels sid ?

Same 17/7 TDR-PR1...I know...7 will have to do until I can afford new wheels

toyo proxie 4's all the way...they are a great all around tire. i use them on the track, snow, rain, ice, anything. they are a great tire.