Road noise comparison

[niv_e30]

My E30 is very noisy on some road surfaces, so I'd like to compare it with anothet E30, manual if possible.
Does anyone with an E30 live anywhere near Chesham, Bucks, so we can get together for a test?

I'm still negotiating with VW over the mis-aligned bodywork. An inspector finally came down this week and agreed it's wrong, which the garage/dealer have agreed all along. If my car appears a lot noisier, that's more ammo to get it well & truly sorted.  (It's quite a bit noiser than my car-share colleagues Focus ST, which I didnt expect).
Sound proofing around boot & wings may help, but haven't touched that until VW have come up with an agreeable solution to the bodywork. Their first suggestion was cut the sill off & weld on a new one!!!.. Not acceptable for any new car, let alone a limited edition model.

[AlanH]

Which tyres do you have?

[Cass]

This subject has bothered me for some time. I have factory Dunlop SportMaxx tyres on 18" Monza II's. OK for first 500 - 1000 miles but since then, very noisy (currently 6500 miles). Car is only OK on the newer smooth road surfaces. Dealer next to useless and has only commented as being normal

Cass

[AlanH]

Same tyres (Dunlops) on my Ed30. They seem to create much more road noise than the Continentals on my previous GTi.

[niv_e30]

My ED30 has Michelin tyres.

Car is OK noise-wise on lovely smooth tarmac, but that's a bit like finding hens teeth around here (or anywhere in UK it seems, local gov don't want to fix roads anymore in my opinion).

I'm thinking of Spectrum Sludge around the wings & boot, probably on outside of car (comments/suggestions) (removing the plastic wheel arch covers to access the metal).  Also, might try some of that flashing tape around spare wheel well (£9.99 for 10m at 150cm wide at Wickes, seems to deaden biscuit tin lid nicely in experimental drop tests!, thats only ~60p/sq ft and weighs about 1/4 lb/sq ft).