The dreaded humming noise

[SW VR6]

My 97 VR6 with 87k on the clock has just starting making a humming noise at certain road speeds.? Sounds very similar to the noise you would expect from a worn wheel bearing, but I had the car checked over a month ago and there was no play on any of the wheels.? I've also checked them again myself tonight and I can't feel any movement.? Could it be anything else?

I seem to remember reading somewhere that when the rear tyres are worn right down on the Mk 3 you can sometimes hear a similar noise.? My rears are down to the markers and are due for replacement next week.

Anybody got any idea how much a wheel bearing replacement would be at a decent independant garage?

My mate's Alfa GTV makes this noise all the time, but that's a known problem due to a quirk with the rear suspension.

[vanish]

I had the same probs a few months back. Had the humming noise but no play in the wheels. Took it to local garage and they checked it out properly and the off-side bearing had gone. Cost? ?22 for each new bearing set (I replaced both front sets while I was at it) and a couple of hours labour, came to just over ?100. If you only replace the one then that cost would be halfed, obviously!
Hope this helps.