Tyres!

[Sulphur-man]

Hi everyone!

Just got an Enterprise Van, 75bhp (oh my what a slug!).

I have some problems, most notable being the road noise and ride. It is unbelievably noisy and harsh. The tyres fitted are Continental ecocontact 6.

Has anyone else got these fitted to their van? Has anyone got a nice quiet tyre recommendation? I’ve only done 600 miles and I’m already pulling out what hair I have left! Have bought some Dodomat and done some sound proofing on the rear wheel arches and bulkhead. This has helped but it’s still loud and very uncomfortable. Thinking I’ll have to bite the bullet and swap tyres.

Any help greatly appreciated!


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[boop]

My passenger models are fairly quiet. All have Michelin Energy mounted originally. I also have Michelin CrossClimate on one of my cargo vans and they're the quietest I have of all the tyres currently in use.

[notsofast]

Have you bought the van secondhand?  I thought all Citroens came fitted with Michelin?  I bought my K9 new last year. It's got Michelin Green X Energy Saver tyres and I haven't particularly noticed road/tyre noise.  However, what IS noisier than on my old M49 van is the noise that grit and road dirt etc. makes as it's sprayed up inside the wheel arches, mostly on country lanes that are wet or have been recently rained on.  I don't know why this spray noise is so much more noticeable than on my old M49 van, seeing as both the vans have similar plastic protection up there.  The ride of the K9 is also firmer than the M49, but not to the point of being a problem.

My van is the 100PS (100 bhp) version, and I can imagine that the 75PS version is lethargic. Although my 100Ps version is more powerful and faster than my old 1.9 M49, it lacks pulling power at low revs when going up hills - so much so that I have at times even pondered if I've been sold the 75PS version masquerading as the 100PS. To anyone thinking of getting a K9, I'd definitely recommend to go no lower powerwise than the 100PS version.

[Postscript: It's perhaps worth mentioning - from the point of view of road noise - that I haven't plylined my van (cos I carry a lot of damp stuff and don't want to drill into the metal), and instead have covered the cargo floor with interlocking foam tiles, carpet underlay and heavy-duty polythene sheet. This probably helps with soundproofing.]

[Sulphur-man]

Have you bought the van secondhand?  I thought all Citroens came fitted with Michelin?  I bought my K9 new last year. It's got Michelin Green X Energy Saver tyres and I haven't particularly noticed road/tyre noise.  However, what IS noisier than on my old M49 van is the noise that grit and road dirt etc. makes as it's sprayed up inside the wheel arches, mostly on country lanes that are wet or have been recently rained on.  I don't know why this spray noise is so much more noticeable than on my old M49 van, seeing as both the vans have similar plastic protection up there.  The ride of the K9 is also firmer than the M49, but not to the point of being a problem.

My van is the 100PS version, and I can imagine that the 75PS version is lethargic. Although my 100Ps version is more powerful and faster than my old 1.9 M49, it lacks pulling power at low revs and going up hills - so much so that I have at times even pondered if I've been sold the 75PS version masquerading as the 100PS. To anyone thinking of getting a K9, I'd definitely recommend to go no lower powerwise than the 100PS version.

I noticed the 'grit' noise too. Quite annoying but I guess I'll get used to it. Yes it was second hand, but only because it was a pre-reg. It had 7 miles on it! It only ever carries flowers, so I figured we didn't need anything more than the base engine. Our old van is a Kangoo 75bhp and I think the gearbox ratios are different but it certainly pulls better than this new one. I'm blaming the need for CO2 ratings for a rubbish tune and am saving for a remap. I didn't test drive one and bought in a hurry as we needed to spend some money before the end of the year. I do actually like a lot of the features but have to say I'm initially disappointed in the overall driving experience. Need to put some miles on it, I know.

Have been slowly filling the boomy rear end with 'dodo' mat and super liner, which is transforming the feel of the vehicle. One thing I've noticed is that the back end is essentially like a big drum, and the bulkhead is the drum skin!! It compresses air in the cabin with every bump which can be very uncomfortable on my ears. I've dampened it with the sound deadening stuff mentioned above but the bottom middle section of the bulkhead has no rigidity whatsoever, so will need some structural support to stop it moving air. I have an idea how to do this and will post about it if it works! Also there is a section under the front end of the van floor that is simply welded over the pressings of the estate car version, where a rear seat would be. This is essentially untreated for sound, and may be where some noise problems stem from, as well as that grit noise (maybe). I'll also report back when I've teated this.

[notsofast]

I edited my above comment after posting, to mention the plylining alternative I've used, which might improve soundproofing.

The gear ratios seem a bit higher in my new van compared to the old, also it's quite a bit heavier (over 200kg heavier if I remember correctly), and cos it's a turbo the power delivery at low revs isn't as good.  But once I'm out of very low revs it's actually quite nippy and responsive.  If you keep your revs up while driving you might find that gets the best out of the 75 bhp version too.

[Sol]

Put soundproofing on the rear roof panels. That takes out 85% of the noise on a van.

   

[Sulphur-man]

Put soundproofing on the rear roof panels. That takes out 85% of the noise on a van.

I'll be doing more on the roof today. Have already put some butyl mat across the two roof sections but will fill it out today and cover with some liner.

[Sol]

Yeah mine sounded like the Albert Hall until I did that, now the doors close with a soft thump instead of a "BOOM" sound....

[boop]

My van is the 100PS (100 bhp) version, and I can imagine that the 75PS version is lethargic. Although my 100Ps version is more powerful and faster than my old 1.9 M49, it lacks pulling power at low revs when going up hills - so much so that I have at times even pondered if I've been sold the 75PS version masquerading as the 100PS. To anyone thinking of getting a K9, I'd definitely recommend to go no lower powerwise than the 100PS version.

Anyone who has any decision power - opt for the 130 hp version. Couldn't be happier with the passing power and overall driving fun.

[Sulphur-man]

My van is the 100PS (100 bhp) version, and I can imagine that the 75PS version is lethargic. Although my 100Ps version is more powerful and faster than my old 1.9 M49, it lacks pulling power at low revs when going up hills - so much so that I have at times even pondered if I've been sold the 75PS version masquerading as the 100PS. To anyone thinking of getting a K9, I'd definitely recommend to go no lower powerwise than the 100PS version.

Anyone who has any decision power - opt for the 130 hp version. Couldn't be happier with the passing power and overall driving fun.

What about the ride? It's so rock hard and these are 15" wheels...I can't understand it. I drive the same roads all the time and know them well. The last van, a Renault Kangoo, was comfortable, supple and quiet everywhere. This van is the complete opposite. It crashes over ruts with a BANG and holes and the noise from worn carriageways is immense. 

Driving around today it feels like the money spent so far on 'soundproofing' products is waisted. I can even feel the vibrations when driving at low speed over herringbone patterned block paving....unbelievable.

If there were more 'plus' points to the van I'd be more hopeful, but the drivers seat is uncomfortable, the transmission whines terribly when slowing down in gear and the backlash on the transmission is a joke. I feel like I've wasted thousands of pounds. So gutted.