Which tyres are best for low road noise?

Most cars I go in disappoint me with the level of tyre roar. Am I right in thinking low profile tyres are partly to blame? Could you recommend me some cars which, on high profile tyres, minimise this?

Asked on 15 January 2016 by InSearchOfTheQuietLife

Answered by Honest John
Yes. Get a car with a minimum 55 profile tyres, eg 205/55 R16, 215/55 R17. Avoid runflat tyres and low rolling resistance energy tyres because they have stiff sidewalls. The best I have so far encountered (by accident because I switched to all season tyres for the winter) are Michelin Cross Climate because they are softer, improve the ride comfort and are quieter without any sacrifice in fuel economy or handling. No car I know of comes with them as standard. Few cars these days have full size spare wheels, but the new Renault Megane arriving in the UK in Summer does have full size 15 and 16-inch spare wheels.
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