[C.J]

In January I swapped my four tyres from Bridgestone RFT to Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2 for £668 fitted.

Car: E92 335i M Sport
Alloys: CM Wheels 19" CSL/ZCP style
Old tyres: Bridgestone 255/30/19 & 225/35/19
New tyres: Goodyear 265/30/19 & 235/35/19

The tyres overall are brilliant, I'm very happy with the ride and handling, however, there's one thing that I'm not 100% satisfied with. Excessive tyre noise.

I'd like some advice on these tyres. Should they be any noisier than the Bridgestones? I'm talking constant humming above 30mph, which changes depending on the road surface. (The noise is similar to the slow-down strips you sometimes see on a road).

I returned the car within 24hours, and the tyres, bearings, tracking etc were checked, and was told the noise will reduce after a couple of thousand miles.

After 500 miles I couldn't take it anymore, so took it back again. They say the problem is I should have runflats on, and I've gone 10mm too wide (there's no rubbing, they've confirmed this).

So, I took the car to Kwik-Fit for a second opinion. They checked all 4 tyres/bearings, took it on a road test, and upon returning stated the road noise is bad, and not acceptable for such a good/expensive tyre. He described the sound as "a budget tyre".

I then spoke to Goodyear (I sent them an email, and one of their UK technical guys gave me a call back). Goodyear suggests it could be due to me not using Star-rated tyres, and it's possibly causing the traction control to constantly engage and in turn making a mechanical/electronic noise, to prevent the tyres from slipping. This has been disproved by my indi and Kwik-Fit since.

Where I stand today: My indi garage won't swap the tyres (even though they can hear the noise) because their wholesale seller won't accept them back. The wholesale company have said I should be using Bridgestones, and not Goodyears. The only option I've been given is to fit Bridgestones as that's what I should have, even though I want a softer ride/better comfort - The whole reason I swapped in the first place.

If it's a common problem, surely someone else with the same size tyres on their E92 will have the same problem as me?

TLDR: Tyres excessively noisy, 3 mechanics & every passenger can hear it, garage blaming non RFTs, only offer is to swap to RFTs (which I don't want).

Here's the best I can capture, difficult with wind/other noises to pick up. Most noticeable at 25seconds onwards:

Edit - I've added a private poll.

[C.J]

Maybe @Sales@******** could confirm their recommended tyre sizes/brands for these alloys? Would you expect issues?

[Phil325i]

These are a popular tyre on this forum (I have them). This is the first time I've read of noise being an issue. Maybe you have a defective tyre/s? Most tyre manufacturers will take tyres back for a technical examination. I had this done on a set of Toyo Proxes that wore in a strange way. Got a credit.

[Dann]

Some tyres just increase road noise due to the tread design

Have you checked the pressures too? That might affect the noise.

Can you find someone who also has these tyres fitted and see what theirs sounds like, at least you would know if it's normal or an attribute of your car/setup

[windymissile]

I have those same sizes on my E90. Although I have different tyres (kumhos).
There is no road noise to speak of, so I doubt very much its the size causing the problem.
The obvious things to check would be:
1- Pressures. Stamped on the inside of the door. 40/42 psi I think.

2- Rotation. The tyres will go both ways but they can still be fitted to the wheel the wrong way. Should have "outside" stamped on them.

WM

[C.J]

I can't find any 'outside' on the walls on any of the tyres. Is that the only indication of which way round they go?

Pressures are 38/40.

The garage are saying they have my front Bridgestones still, and could put those back on for testing, and to prove it's the width at fault.

I've told them, the problem I have is, it doesn't proof anything, as it could be 1) Non RFT, 2) Too wide, or 3) Faulty tyres. Too any factors to eliminate.

[windymissile]

I'm 90% sure they should say 'outside'. Can anyone else on here with these tyres confirm this? I know they can rotate both ways but should still have an inside and outside.
I was only talking about this with my tyre fitter on Friday! Such a coincidence.
You may have to jack up and have a look at the back. Would only take a mo.

WM

[Kerr]

I originally has Bridgestone Runflats on my car when I bought it. When the rears were worn I replaced them for Pirelli runflats and they were better tyres.

I then changed to Goodyear Eagle F1 AS2s all round and the car was much quieter with no noises you talk about. Mine were the original BMW 19" sizes.

At the moment I have Vredestein winter tyres on. They are 265/30x19 and 235/35x19.

These tyres are soft and don't make any unusual noises.

I can't help but think something is wrong if you are getting unusual noises. I think every single person that has ditched the runflats notice a significant drop in noise.

[Juz5i]

Hi mate.

I have these exact tyres on my E92 335i. In fact only fitted them a couple of weeks ago.
Wheels are 19" AG M359's (9J & 10J)

I havnt used the car all that much since but I certainly haven't noticed any increased noise,
only improved comfort and ride.

I'm near Chester if you are close by and want to compare?.

Oh yeah & I'm pretty damn sure mine say outside on the tyre wall too

[C.J]

Thanks so far lads. Here's a video my passenger tried to record yesterday. It's hard to capture the sound, it's a low humming/droning sound. Most noticeable at 25seconds onwards.

Can anyone hear this?

[Reece]

Not sure but thats quite a high psi for non RFT , i was running close to that on bridgestone potenza rft, now i have non run flat im running 32 front 34 rear

[Kerr]

Originally Posted by Reece

Not sure but thats quite a high psi for non RFT , i was running close to that on bridgestone potenza rft, now i have non run flat im running 32 front 34 rear

34 PSI is too low for the rear.

I prefer to run my normal tyres a bit harder too.

[Reece]

Originally Posted by Kerr

34 PSI is too low for the rear.

I prefer to run my normal tyres a bit harder too.

Sorry i think mine are 34/36.

I used to get alot of noise on RFT as there a harder tyre and also had 48 psi on the rears, just thinking it may be where there pumped up a little but different tyre brands obviously hold pressures differently

[C.J]

I've checked the sidewalls, and 'Inside' is on the inside.

I'm tempted to swap the two fronts back to my old Bridgestone tomorrow (rears were worn/had a puncture), but that won't proove what the issue actually is in their eyes (faulty/too wide/non RFT).

Biggest waste of money I've spent.

[windymissile]

Yr welcome to come to mine and put my wheels on your car. Same size wheels and tyres.
This would point the finger squarely at the tyre.

WM

[Rich_D]

I have Goodyear Eagle F1 Assymetric 2's on my M5 and they're also fitted on the 330d that I'm picking up at weekend, neither car makes that droning noise or that I have noticed and been running them for over 12 months on the M5

[essex_lad]

I just had the eagle f1s fitted and can't say they are any different to any other low profile tyre noise. I'm afraid it's Just part of the things with having low pro tyres.

[Kaisah]

I have just switched from Bridgestone RFT's to the same tyres all round, same sizes as you except I kept the original 255 & 225 widths. Can't say mine sound like that tbh. I have 2.5bar / 36 psi all round I think. Handles well and if anything I think they are quieter than the RFTs. I usually have music on so I'll drive mute tomorrow and report back!

[Kaisah]

Oh and mine deffo say outside on the outsides.

[C.J]

Thanks again all, it gives me some comments I can pass onto the garage today.

Dropped the car off again this morning. They will refit the front Bridgestones, but are saying the issue IS due to me not using the original RFTs. They say its a combination of the widths and different compound.

Originally Posted by windymissile

Yr welcome to come to mine and put my wheels on your car. Same size wheels and tyres.
This would point the finger squarely at the tyre.

WM

Awesome, thanks. I'm away this weekend, so if this issue isn't resolved by next Friday, I will come see you over that weekend (14/15th if you're free).

[Kaisah]

Drove to work this morning for a period without any music on, and can confirm my tyres defiantly do not make a noise like in your video. I can barely hear them at all.

Maybe it is with the tyres being slightly wider? Shouldn't make a huge difference but you never know. I wouldn't have said your car is "meant to run on bridgestones". Tyres are tyres at the end of the day.

[AzRiz]

I also have these tyres and have no complaints about them. Mine are 225/35/19 on the front 8.5j rims and 235/35/19 on the rear 9.5j rims. Both are within manufacturer spec but the rears offer a tiny stretch (only just noticeable).

Everything that they have said is the usual BS from people who don't actually know what they are on about. You don't need RFTs and switching to these is NOT an issue at ALL.

I run mine at 38 psi for the rears and 36 psi for the fronts.

What are the widths on the rims? I would recommend getting that info and comparing it to the approved specs chart by Goodyear. They're probably well within spec but it is best to make sure of it.