Is there really a difference between these 2 tyres?

[Username888]

http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pri...

http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pri...

Exactly the same tyres, but the db rating is different?

Really?

Why is the db rating different, given the tyres appear to be exactly the same? My car is pretty sensitive to tyres, in terms of noise, and quietness is my highest priority. Anyone shed any light

[skip_1]

The 69db one should be VOL not XL

http://www.michelin.co.uk/GB/en/tyres/products/pri...

I'm not sure but it is still XL but for Volvo OEM, but can still fit any car?

Edited by skip_1 on Tuesday 17th January 21:50

[Frances The Mute]

The two factors that influence noise most (pattern type and section width) are identical - as are the the other dimensional measurements and the service description - so I'd venture theres a typo in the ad.

Edited to add that if the 69db tyre is indeed a Volvo OE spec, then it is not uncommon to use a specific tread compound for a number of reasons so you can have differing label values when compared to a replacement market tyre.

Edited by Frances The Mute on Tuesday 17th January 22:41

[LeoSayer]

I have found dB ratings to be useless for measuring tyre noise in the cabin. I've used 3 different sets of tyres on my A3 and the one with the highest rating are the quietest.

They relate to drive by noise, not cabin noise.

[George111]

Username888 said:

http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pri...

http://www.blackcircles.com/catalogue/michelin/pri...

Exactly the same tyres, but the db rating is different?

Really?

Why is the db rating different, given the tyres appear to be exactly the same? My car is pretty sensitive to tyres, in terms of noise, and quietness is my highest priority. Anyone shed any light

Not sure why it's so different, only Michelin can help- they have a good support service you can ring, very helpful and knowledgeable and based in the UK too.

My personal experience having tried many brands of tyres on various cars is that Michelin offer the best overall package for ordinary cars, very quiet, smooth and comfortable ride and loads of grip even in the wet and cold. A great all round tyre and cheaper than most when you factor in they do last longer than most. You might find a Continental has slightly better dry handling as they tend to be a bit stiffer but they are also slightly noisier. Goodyear have gone budget and ruined the ride and handling especially with the efficient grip performance - one of the worst tyres ever on my current car with ultra think sidewalls giving a very sloppy ride as they've tried to reduce the weight of the tyre to improve economy.

I'd also ignore the magazine reviews - many of them are clearly based on advertising revenue not the truth. Hence the Goodyear Efficient Grip getting good reviews but drivers hating them.

[Username888]

Thankyou to everyone for your interesting input.

I contacted Black Circles, they said that they were probably a different batch. I needed new tyres reasonably urgently so ordered the cheaper ones, - George is right though, I should've rung Michelin.

I have a Lexus LS430, which is a whisper quiet car inside, - tyres make a big difference - and these Primacys seem to be the most popular match on Lexus forums. I currently have Michelin Pilot Super Sport which also feel like you're driving on grass (on most surfaces at least), - will see how these compare.

I can't help but agree that db ratings must mean very little to internal noise, I would guess it depends on what car they're fitted to, and what surface it's rolling on.