I've had my ZS 120+ for 8 days and 600 miles now and although I still think it's brill, there is a lot more road noise compared to my previous car. Is this normal?..... I opted for the 17" straight alloys over the standard ones.

Hi Spike

Guess its pretty much dependent upon what you're used to driving.

I'm driving a ZS+120 complete with the 17"s after previously having a Rover 25. Yes, there is much, much more road noise in the ZS than in the 25 - not helped by the 17"ers I suspect. But hey they look that good, the additional noise is a small price to pay!!

Regards

John

There is an increase in road noise with stiffer suspension and low profile tyres. I did put some sound deadening in mine, and although I was sceptical it did reduce the noise. A comparison for me would be that it "sounded" like I was doing a slower speed with the deadening in. I installed on the boot floor, footwells, and one door panel (I gave up on the idea of doing more after having to peel off the vapour barrier, don't ask me what adhesive they use to stick it on, but it's not nice stuff). I did this mainly for my ICE install, but it has other advantages when travelling without the radio on.

I have a ZS 120+ 5 door running on 16 inch with no probs with road noise except on severe sufaces. The 17 inch wheels do look the part, however, so it may be worth it to have small additional noise. Performance cars were never quiet:)

[Edited by Derek Matheson on 08-07-2002 at 06:18 PM GMT]

The ZR I'm in now has a bit more road noise than the TF135 I had, most of this is down as has been previously said, the low profile rubber and suspension settings, all normal really. It does depend on the road surface though, the council has just resurfaced a big island by me and its as quiet as a mouse on that. On the M42 around the NEC or the M5 in Devon however its a bit more noticeable. I just turn the stereo up a bit. :D

If you don't want the road noise drive in a lower gaer so the engin noise hides it :D