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Model specific boards => Golf mk8 => Topic started by: chrisgolf1 on 08 March 2026, 16:46
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Hello,
Coming from a 7.5GTI PP with DCC and 18 inch wheels, I find my new 8.5 GTI unacceptably noisy on rough surfaces. The DCC doesn't smooth things out like in my previous GTI's either, which is disappointing.
I know all this is subjective to some extent, and road tests tend to not mention excessive road noise nor a harsh ride, so I'm in the minority here (and my hearing ain't what it used to be).
I've done a lot of research into tyres, the consensus being along the lines that the OEM Potenza sports aren't great for noise or comfort, and there are better options around. I'm thinking of swapping all four tyres for something more 'touring' oriented like a Primacy 5 (a crime against GTI's, I know).
Has anybody actually done something like this and experienced a significant difference? Other option is to sell it, take the hit and get something more comfortable and quieter - maybe a BMW 320i touring.
Cheers
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What tyres did you have on the 7.5?
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I put PS4's (not the s) on it when I got it. It did make some difference, I can't remember what was on it when I purchased it. So I kind of know the answer to my own question, but the mk 8.5 seems so much...worse :(
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Less sound deadening in a MK8.x vs a MK7.
Much much more in a BMW.
Could try some different tyres... Go have a look at the ratings on them all and find the quietest. Ignore all the other figures and just focus on noise.
Personally it's not a problem, I go everywhere with loud music lol
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Goodyear A/S 6 rates well for ride and noise. I fitted current set of these to replace Michelin PS 5 or 6 and they are better. I have a 7.5 with 18” wheels and DCC. I think this combo is quite unusual.
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Mine had Hankooks from new and whilst not the grippiest, I do find them pretty quiet and smooth.
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Hankooks co mine too and I don’t hate them.
Mind you I’m scared of going within 12 inches of a kerb as there’s no rim protector as such.
chrisgolf1, have you tried dropping the tyre pressures 3 or 4 psi from factory recommended? It might help, and it’s free.
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Exonian - yes, funnily enough I did that yesterday. Makes the ride a bit less fidgety but doesn't help with the noise.
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Hi Chris - I feel very much the same way about my new 8.5 GTI on the hard and noisy Bridgestones, which is why I am (prematurely) swapping them for a whole new set of Pirelli PZ5's this coming weekend (which are supposed to be the quietest and smoothest riding tyres currently available on the market). I had a 7.5 GTI previously (non DCC) which I ran on PS4S's (not PS4s) which I loved - but I am taking the gamble on the new design Pirelli PZ5's as the PS4S's are now a 10 yr old design, and the new Pirellis really are supposed to be v good (plus currently available with 20% discount which is helpful) - I'll let you know my verdict on them once they have bed in.
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Exonian - yes, funnily enough I did that yesterday. Makes the ride a bit less fidgety but doesn't help with the noise.
Somehow I don’t think you and this car are going to gel which is a shame.
It might be worth test driving a few other similar cars to see if it’s unique to yours and maybe try a few other marques too.
There’s going to be a lot of interested people on this forum in your experiences with the Pirellis @CarbonGTD
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The BS S005's (which i assume are the ones you have) are rated at 72db
Now bear in mind that the noise ratings are not what you hear in the car, thats different...
72db is in the worst bracket for noise.
Shop around but it looks like the Eagle Asym's are maybe a little quieter.
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Exonian - yes, funnily enough I did that yesterday. Makes the ride a bit less fidgety but doesn't help with the noise.
Somehow I don’t think you and this car are going to gel which is a shame.
It might be worth test driving a few other similar cars to see if it’s unique to yours and maybe try a few other marques too.
There’s going to be a lot of interested people on this forum in your experiences with the Pirellis @CarbonGTD
I have a feeling you are right. It is a bit of a shame as I was looking forward to picking it up for a long while, but my first long trip in it put me right off it. To my mind my 2013 mk 7 GTI 3 door was the best of the three I have owned. Cheers
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Hi Chris - I feel very much the same way about my new 8.5 GTI on the hard and noisy Bridgestones, which is why I am (prematurely) swapping them for a whole new set of Pirelli PZ5's this coming weekend (which are supposed to be the quietest and smoothest riding tyres currently available on the market). I had a 7.5 GTI previously (non DCC) which I ran on PS4S's (not PS4s) which I loved - but I am taking the gamble on the new design Pirelli PZ5's as the PS4S's are now a 10 yr old design, and the new Pirellis really are supposed to be v good (plus currently available with 20% discount which is helpful) - I'll let you know my verdict on them once they have bed in.
Good to hear I'm not alone! I look forward to hearing what difference it makes to the driving experience. Thank you.
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The BS S005's (which i assume are the ones you have) are rated at 72db
Now bear in mind that the noise ratings are not what you hear in the car, thats different...
72db is in the worst bracket for noise.
Shop around but it looks like the Eagle Asym's are maybe a little quieter.
Thank you. They are Potenza Sports which I presume are similar. Db ratings only differ by a few Db's for external noise as far as I can tell. Why there is no assessment / rating for internal noise is a bit baffling but I guess that's down to soundproofing and engineering in individual cars and so would get very complicated.
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the difference between a "quiet" tyre and a noisy one (ie A to C rated) is only 6db.... but db's are funny things - thats actually perceived as 4 times quieter!
BTW the whole noise things about tyre ratings is environmental... apparently noise can make people physically unwell... so now the EU force tyre makers to say how noisy their product is.
I've also read somewhere that the Cross Climates seem to massively reduce noise but nobody can explain why.
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Could be worth getting the alignment checking too, could the noise be the rears saw toothing?
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Could be worth getting the alignment checking too, could the noise be the rears saw toothing?
Hi, I've had that on a previous car, but this one's only done 1200 miles, so probably not the case. cheers.
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Bear in mind that the noise levels quoted by tyre manufacturers relates to the noise levels outside the car, not in the cabin. However, if VW are fitting less - or poorer quality - sound deadening material in their cars in an effort to save a few £££’s IMHO it’s reasonable to assume more road noise would be transmitted into the cabin by tyres with a high dBA rating than those with a low dBA rating.
There are various sound car deadening kits and materials that can be bought for DIY installation. I have no personal experience of these products but installed in the most noise prone areas of the car (e.g. boot floor, spare wheel well, doors) they should improve things.
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I've tried sound deadening / proofing in other cars without much success. Seems to be a 'dark art' involving either dampening panels more with 'dynamat' - although VW will have already damped them - or adding a barrier between you and the noise, which doesn't seem to work well with low frequency road noise (although other manufacturers seem to manage it better than VW).
The main problem to my mind is that it's hard to get a car these days with small enough wheels to not make much noise. The most bog-standard family saloon comes with low profile tyres and 18/19 inch wheels. A Triumph Dolomite Sprint I had 40 years ago had 13 inch wheels, although cornering wasn't necessarily its strongpoint... :smiley:
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I had the new set of Pirelli P ZERO PZ5's fitted to my GTI yesterday. Went out for a decent run this morning as the weather was good here - yes there is a definite improvement (esp in ride quality plus slight noise drop) - it is early days and this feedback is based on a single 20 mile mixed test drive this morning, but I don't regret paying for the early switch in tyres at all (particularly as there was a 20% off price deal on the PZ5's at the moment). Will see how the new tyres bed in properly over the next few weeks - given my car is only on standard 18" rims I still think the passive dampers set up is too hard on the 8.5 (and that there has been too much sound deadening stripped out of the car) but it feels like this switch in tyres means I can now enjoy the car (whereas on the noisy hard riding OEM Bridgestones I would find myself getting annoyed at it on just about every trip).
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Carbon GTD - thanks for reporting back and glad that the tyre swap has made the car more liveable with.
I drove a few other cars on Friday; a 320i, C class estate and an A4 Avant and it seems to me that your point about the lack of sound deadening in the GTI 8.5 is relevant; none of those cars had the kind of roar and boomy resonance that the GTI can have on rough roads making it so hard to live with for some. My partners 2024 Polo also has it on rough roads so perhaps it's a problem across the range.
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Coming from my previous RSQ3 the GTI is quieter and the DCC makes for a much nicer ride too. I’ve been pleased with the Hankook tyres.
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Coming from my previous RSQ3 the GTI is quieter and the DCC makes for a much nicer ride too. I’ve been pleased with the Hankook tyres.
Driving a Cupra Terramar VZ1 272PS with the version 2 DCC at moment, which is basically a Q3 in disguise and its like driving around in my favourite chair in living room when all set to comfort, on the larger tyres and fantastic seats. Very impressive car the Terramar.
However feel out MK 7.5 R on Continentals with no DCC is pretty good on ride and road noise, so based on a few comments seen on the MK8 series on ride and road noise, will look to test drive to see for myself and look for DCC when in market for an upgrade.
It is all very subjective subject though.
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I think the whole refinement thing is interesting with the 8.5.
I had a 7.5r and the quality and refinement were definitely superior. I had a MK8 GTI and hated it. It lasted 3 months and I swapped it for a BMW M340i.
I am 2 months into an 8.5 Clubsport and I find the whole refinement piece really interesting. I really like the car but hated the artificial noise. My local dealer told me it is not possible to turn this off. Luckily I found an independent garage who were quite happy to turn the Soundaktor off. This makes a massive difference, the car is quieter and far more refined. The engine sounds fine on its own, the fake noise sounds crap in my opinion.
I have DCC and am on Potenzas and I don't find them unduly noisy or harsh but will maybe try something different when they are ready to change. The car I test drove didn't have DCC and I would definitely recommend going for it.
Having had 7 Golfs, VW lost me with the MK8 but they have defintely got back on form with the 8.5. Its not a 7.5 though.