Is my A6 cabin noise unusual?

[keithtraffic]

I have for several years been driving a Vauxhall Omega (2.6 V6 Petrol Auto) and have just replaced it with a new 2.7 TDI A6 (Multitronic Salon SE) fitted with Potenza tyres (255/50/R17) as standard.

After the Omega I was expecting the ride to be firmer (which it is) but am rather surprised (and disappointed) by the level of cabin noise in the A6. The reviews I have read suggested that the A6 offers a very quite driving environment, but this does not seem to be the case.

The noise seems to be mainly from the tyres and obviously varies depending on the surface, but at speed, for example on the motorway, it is very intrusive.

Does any one have experience of this? Is it just the tyres? Could it be that the right level of sound proofing has not been fitted to the car? How could I tell?

Thanks

[TimmyTim]

I have for several years been driving a Vauxhall Omega (2.6 V6 Petrol Auto) and have just replaced it with a new 2.7 TDI A6 (Multitronic Salon SE) fitted with Potenza tyres (255/50/R17) as standard.

After the Omega I was expecting the ride to be firmer (which it is) but am rather surprised (and disappointed) by the level of cabin noise in the A6. The reviews I have read suggested that the A6 offers a very quite driving environment, but this does not seem to be the case.

The noise seems to be mainly from the tyres and obviously varies depending on the surface, but at speed, for example on the motorway, it is very intrusive.

Does any one have experience of this? Is it just the tyres? Could it be that the right level of sound proofing has not been fitted to the car? How could I tell?

Thanks

I had a Vauxhall Omega 3.0Ltr Elite estate some years ago! and it was a lovely quiet car to drive and the engine was one of the best out there at the time. I've now gotta A6 3.2 FSI and I find the same problems that you've had with cabin noise! Not to a great amount of noise but louder than the Omega.

I'm going to change the tyres to Mich or Bridgestones when these get down to about 4mm... I've got some sound proofing somewhere in the garage that I'm going to put in the boot! because when I checked the spare tyre there isn't any in there and thats where the road noise seems to be comming from...

It maybe an idea for you to take it to the Main ******* and let them have a quick look at it, to see if all your under bonnet sound insulation is there...

[paul b]

Crikey, hearing that these new A6s are noisy is worrying. I hear a fair bit of engine noise from mine (it's a diesel that's why ! ) but as for road noise there's no problem there. There is less of it than the previous Mercedes A Class I owned anyway.

Maybe I will hang on to my A6 a bit longer then, I think I can wait for the new A6s...

Paul

Oh ! Almost forgot. My A6 is quiter now with Bridgestone Potenza RE050As on the front. Before, I had Michelin Pilot Primacy's on, which are noiser than the Pilot Sport 2s. It seems to me that the best for road noise are the Potenzas and the Pilot Sport 2s. The Primacy's lasted 5k longer than the Pilot Sport 2s, but I've yet to wear these Bridgestones out. Haha !