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Road Noise 19" vs 21" Wheels
- Thread starter voltronhb
- Start date
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- Driving Dynamics Model S
pdxrunr
Member
I went for 21's for the looks, went back to 19's as I couldn't take the road noise. Still love the looks of the 21's, but just can't do it. Others will say it's not that different. You should try to meet up with other owners of each and drive them both back to back so you can hear for yourself.
Blu Zap
Grinning member
Turn up the stereo. Open the sunroof. It won't matter. I love my 21s. Looks are great and the road noise is not that big of a deal.
eye.surgeon
Active Member
It was a big enough deal for me that I ordered the 19s. And I don't like flats either, haven't had one in 22k miles on my 19s.
The issue is less the rims and, of course, more the tires. ALL Teslas now come with tires that have noise absorbing foam, but the benefits of that seem to be questionable and/or tied to very specific scenarios (i.e. ping on impact perhaps, etc.). The general consensus seems to be that the PS2s were very noisy but handled awesome. The Continental Contisilents were supposedly noticeably quieter, but perhaps not as much as most of the 19s . There are very few reports on the latest Michelin PSSes with the sound absorbing foam in them. REDI on here has them and may chime in.
So much of the noise thing comes down to the roads YOU drive on every day. If you drive on relatively smooth blacktop, heck, just about any tire is quiet on that. If, conversely, you are on the exact opposite (e.g. heavily grooved concrete) then most tires are loud and some are REALLY loud. If you have to drive on the latter a lot, then I would stick with the 19s especially since the Model S isn't exactly the most sound insulated car out there (compared to anything else in its price class).
So much of the noise thing comes down to the roads YOU drive on every day. If you drive on relatively smooth blacktop, heck, just about any tire is quiet on that. If, conversely, you are on the exact opposite (e.g. heavily grooved concrete) then most tires are loud and some are REALLY loud. If you have to drive on the latter a lot, then I would stick with the 19s especially since the Model S isn't exactly the most sound insulated car out there (compared to anything else in its price class).
dandelot
Member
skitch23
Member
I have 19's and they are super quiet. I don't remember what brand they are tho... they were brand new on my CPO I picked up in Feb so they might be Goodyears. My car has been in the shop since Monday (cosmetic fixes) and they gave me a P85 loaner with 21's.... I can't really tell a difference driving around town but it is noticeably louder on the freeway. I love the look of the 21's, but I'm glad mine has 19's.
NikeWings
Active Member
davidc18
Active Member
do not notice any road noise difference between the 19s and 21s. 19s on coils and 21s on air (picked up the 21s after about 7,000 miles on the original factory 19s).
What tires are on your 21s? Seems like the newer ones with sound absorbing foam for either the 19s and 21s make a big difference.
It would be interesting to know which tires were on your loaner. I would bet they are Continentals, but could be the Continental 5P Contisilents (with sound deadening foam) OR the regular Continental DW Extremes (w/o any foam). As a side note, I think the tire tread pattern combined with road surface makes WAY more difference in the noise level than the foam does.
CameronB
Member
Just realized a typo in my signature Should be S85 not S 84
Jason Hughes would say it should be S82
Destiny1701
22’ M3LR ‘DrkNite’/ 22’ MYP BliueRocket
Own a 16' 90D Have 21's continental DW on for spring summer fall and 19's PS for winter. Handling wise the 21's definitely grip better and provide a tighter feel when turning. Road bumps are felt more for sure but not overtly intrusive. The 19's do provide the softer ride. I just love the 21 look that I could never just stick to the 19's for good!
Raddoc
Member
I got 21s and can't detect any road noise from them. They look much better than 19s. Definitely go for the 21s.
SomeJoe7777
Marginally-Known Member
Many 21"s can give you equal or perhaps slightly better road noise characteristics than the typical 19"s. But don't forget that you're comparing tires of different classes here.
Most of the 19"s are either grand touring or ultra-high performance all-season, whereas almost all of the 21"s are max performance summer.
This means that the 21"s will have way less tread life, and cannot be used in cold temperatures or winter conditions. If this is an issue for you, reconsider your tire choice and get a size and class of tire that meets your needs.
Most of the 19"s are either grand touring or ultra-high performance all-season, whereas almost all of the 21"s are max performance summer.
This means that the 21"s will have way less tread life, and cannot be used in cold temperatures or winter conditions. If this is an issue for you, reconsider your tire choice and get a size and class of tire that meets your needs.
I have the 19" because of the road noise. I have had loaners with 21's and do not like the ride or the noise, mostly the noise. I have ridden in other S models with 21's, same issue. I replaced my first tires at 48000 with the same Michelin MXM4s. I run at 45psi, quiet ride. I have 56000 miles, average 281kWh/mi. Driving about 55-60 miles per day 2/3 highway, 1/3 local. Many trips from Phoenix to LA, PHX to Albuqueque, PHX to Denver, winter and summer driving.
Agreed and as tires wear their noise level often goes up so you will spend more time with less tread typically with the 21s...and thus more noise more of the time.
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