Looking for tyre recommendations

[Trendseeker]

A new member with a Mondeo is looking for advice on tyres that give a quieter ride. Here’s his post in the new member’s section:

https://www.fordforums.com.au/showpo...postcount=6849

[Shepherd]

I can't recommend a particular tyre as my Continental SportContact5 tyres (which I find to be moderately noisey) have been replaced by the SC6, with the SC7 released in Europe.

What I would do is make up a list of tyres available in the size needed & check the details for them on tyrereviews.com. For most, under "Summary", noise is shown as a decibel range (depending on size) according to the Euro standard.
For example - Falken FK520 68-72, Michelin Primacy 4 68-72, Pirelli Cinturato P7 66-72, Bridgestone Turanza T005 66-74, Hankook Ventus Evo2 65-75.

Further down the page under "Label Scores", noise is shown for each size. For example, in the required size, the Pirelli P7 (96W) is 69 & the Hankook Evo2 is 70.

There are also links to tyre comparison tests, some of which include noise level.

[Shepherd]

As I indicated in my earlier post, noise level for a given pattern can vary by tyre size.

So I went back to tyrereviews.com and searched for reviews by size - 235/40R19.
Note these are user, not expert, reviews.

Highest rated for Comfort (ride & noise) was the Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6 at 85%, with the Asymmetric 5 81%. However neither is available in Australia in the required size.

The best I found that is available is the Michelin Primacy 4 at 83%.

Some others - Hankook Ventus S1 evo3 79%; Maxxis Victa Sport5, Michelin Pilot Sport 4 & Continental Premium Contact 6 78%; Falken Azenis FK510 & Continental Sport Contact6 77%. Then a drop to Bridgestone Potenza Sport & B Turanza T005 & Kumho Ecsta PS71 73%.

[The Marmot]

Thanks for the tyre advice to date. I'm sure that some of the problem is caused by the 19 inch wheels and low profile tyres. My current thought is to source a set of 18 inch wheels from a wreckers, and fit 235/45/18 tyres. The agcoauto.com Tyre Speed Calculator indicates that the difference in revolutions per km is only 1.43, and when driving at 70kph the speedometer will read 70.2kph. I assume the offset would be the same. What I don't know, and maybe someone can tell me, whether Mondeos come with different suspension settings (ie, springs, shock absorbers) depending on the wheels and tyres fitted to the specific vehicle, and if fitted with 19 inch wheels, you need to stick with them.

I have to say I really am shocked at the ingress of road noise in the Mondeo. I find it hard to understand how Ford can have produced their premium (Titanium) model and not included some extensive noise mitigation. I took it for a test drive around the streets of Perth and on the mainly smooth suburban asphalt it was perfectly fine. But on the open road at higher speeds the noise level in a modern car is unacceptable.

Having said that, there is a lot to like. The creature comforts and safety features are impressive, and the engine (turbo petrol) is powerful and very quiet. The vehicle (a 2018 model) is still virtually like new.

So any advice re the uncomfortable ride and high road noise levels would be welcome, also the fastest way to find some replacement wheels. I know the solution won't be cheap. I also have a problem with the rear view mirrors, but will post separately about that.

[Shepherd]

I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you sure the tyres aren't over-inflated?

My Ambiente wagon, with 17 inch rims & 50 profile tyres has a firmish but comfortable ride while still having very responsive steering.
I said my tyres are moderately noisy, but that's perhaps because there isn't much other noise when cruising.

Perhaps you could have a drive of a Trend to see if 18 inch rims make for a sufficiently comfortable ride. But then the Trend has "standard" suspension where the Titanium has adaptive (& the Ambiente wagon self-levelling). I don't know what difference that would make.

Before changing to smaller diameter wheels & tyres you should check on any implications for registration & insurance - though you would have the same width & it should be enough to meet the load & speed minimums on your car's tyre label.

Perhaps you could find a Trend owner who would like to swap rims/tyres.