Road noise
Thread Starter
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Road noise
Test drove a 1012 A6 and an A7. Was in a rush but I thought the 7 had more road noise. Maybe the diff is 18 vs 19" wheels? I have sat in the car before but never took it out. May be too hard for me to go into an A7. I wanted to love it but something was not right with the drive. Probably will lean to an A8
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
If you want minimum road noise get an A8 with dual pane glass and all season or winter tires on 19's. The A8 and A7 are very different cars, with surprising sportiness in the A7.
Just took delivery on an A7 yesterday and found it surprisingly quiet on the road. It is very impressive dynamically and I may actually target an S7 or even and RS7 to0 replace my 08 A8 sport. (The RS7 will be a challenge for a Pan Turbo if tuned to 600 bhp as rumored). Even with 20" summer wheels and 275mm wide summer performance tires my D3 A8 is quiet on the road, perhaps due to dual pane glass and the added insulation Audi added to the 08's and later A8's. I am sure that the D4 is even quieter no matter what wheel and tire combination you select.
Should also mention that the electronics in the A7 are quite amazing, which is also true about the D4 A8, only you get them for $20k less.
Just took delivery on an A7 yesterday and found it surprisingly quiet on the road. It is very impressive dynamically and I may actually target an S7 or even and RS7 to0 replace my 08 A8 sport. (The RS7 will be a challenge for a Pan Turbo if tuned to 600 bhp as rumored). Even with 20" summer wheels and 275mm wide summer performance tires my D3 A8 is quiet on the road, perhaps due to dual pane glass and the added insulation Audi added to the 08's and later A8's. I am sure that the D4 is even quieter no matter what wheel and tire combination you select.
Should also mention that the electronics in the A7 are quite amazing, which is also true about the D4 A8, only you get them for $20k less.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
If you want minimum road noise get an A8 with dual pane glass and all season or winter tires on 19's. The A8 and A7 are very different cars, with surprising sportiness in the A7.
Just took delivery on an A7 yesterday and found it surprisingly quiet on the road. It is very impressive dynamically and I may actually target an S7 or even and RS7 to0 replace my 08 A8 sport. (The RS7 will be a challenge for a Pan Turbo if tuned to 600 bhp as rumored). Even with 20" summer wheels and 275mm wide summer performance tires my D3 A8 is quiet on the road, perhaps due to dual pane glass and the added insulation Audi added to the 08's and later A8's. I am sure that the D4 is even quieter no matter what wheel and tire combination you select.
Should also mention that the electronics in the A7 are quite amazing, which is also true about the D4 A8, only you get them for $20k less.
Just took delivery on an A7 yesterday and found it surprisingly quiet on the road. It is very impressive dynamically and I may actually target an S7 or even and RS7 to0 replace my 08 A8 sport. (The RS7 will be a challenge for a Pan Turbo if tuned to 600 bhp as rumored). Even with 20" summer wheels and 275mm wide summer performance tires my D3 A8 is quiet on the road, perhaps due to dual pane glass and the added insulation Audi added to the 08's and later A8's. I am sure that the D4 is even quieter no matter what wheel and tire combination you select.
Should also mention that the electronics in the A7 are quite amazing, which is also true about the D4 A8, only you get them for $20k less.
Post pics when you can
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 20
From: Eastside, WA
I am running on 20" with Continental Extreme Contacts all season tires and the road noise is way better than my old 06 Acura RL and Q7 that are both on 18". My wife was surprisingly shocked about how quiet this car is compared to her Q7 4.2. Maybe because of the V8 and the exhaust notes are loader on the Q7, but in my opinion the A7 is a very quiet car.
I have not sat in an A8 or the new A6 so I can't really compare.
I have not sat in an A8 or the new A6 so I can't really compare.
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
I am running on 20" with Continental Extreme Contacts all season tires and the road noise is way better than my old 06 Acura RL and Q7 that are both on 18". My wife was surprisingly shocked about how quiet this car is compared to her Q7 4.2. Maybe because of the V8 and the exhaust notes are loader on the Q7, but in my opinion the A7 is a very quiet car.
I have not sat in an A8 or the new A6 so I can't really compare.
I have not sat in an A8 or the new A6 so I can't really compare.
If I go with the 20-inch sport package, I was also thinking I might get some 19-inch Audi wheels off e-bay and put some more comfort-oriented all-seasons for the winter, but the tires you have chosen seem pretty well-reviewed on Tirerack and may eliminate some of the noise and harshness reported with the stock summer tires.
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 20
From: Eastside, WA
Just curious, but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing your thought process in choosing just the 20" wheels without the full sport package. I am trying to decide myself... Did you test drive a sport model and not like it? I really, really like the look of the lower suspension in the sport package, and I would like to have the paddle shifters, but I haven't been able to test either option, and it looks like my dealer won't be getting any stock of sport or 20-inch A7s in the near future. I'm coming from an 04 TL, so your comment on how your A7 is significantly better than your 06 RL in road noise is most welcome news.
If I go with the 20-inch sport package, I was also thinking I might get some 19-inch Audi wheels off e-bay and put some more comfort-oriented all-seasons for the winter, but the tires you have chosen seem pretty well-reviewed on Tirerack and may eliminate some of the noise and harshness reported with the stock summer tires.
If I go with the 20-inch sport package, I was also thinking I might get some 19-inch Audi wheels off e-bay and put some more comfort-oriented all-seasons for the winter, but the tires you have chosen seem pretty well-reviewed on Tirerack and may eliminate some of the noise and harshness reported with the stock summer tires.
I am sure someone will come out with the lowering springs for A7 and maybe that will satisfy me. But with 20" and aftermarket springs I am afraid that the comfort will be compromised.
Trending Topics
Audiworld Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
The reason why I went to the 20" and not the sport package because I had no choice. I could not find a white prestige with 20" package because like you, I wanted the paddles and a lowered look (less than 1 inch). I could not find such car on the West coast and anywhere near. I didn't want to wait for months for the order so I went with the closest optioned car.
I am sure someone will come out with the lowering springs for A7 and maybe that will satisfy me. But with 20" and aftermarket springs I am afraid that the comfort will be compromised.
I am sure someone will come out with the lowering springs for A7 and maybe that will satisfy me. But with 20" and aftermarket springs I am afraid that the comfort will be compromised.
I think your car looks amazing the way it is now, and thanks for the reply. It really bugs me that you can't get the paddle shifters without ordering the sports package...
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
10 Strangest Audi Designs That Actually Made Production
Joe Kucinski
2027 Audi Q7 and SQ7: Audi Upgraded EVERYTHING!
Michael S. Palmer
Audi Unveils Absurdly Cool New Supercar: 10 Things You Need to Know!
Verdad Gallardo
The Highs & Lows of Every Audi C-Class Generation
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
angrypengu
A8 / S8 (D5 Platform) Discussion
1
Mar 6, 2019 02:34 PM
AWD2
A8 / S8 (D3 Platform) Discussion
3
Feb 18, 2008 02:52 PM
