The biggest influence on cabin noise is the type of pavement your driving on. Concrete or Bituminius mixes are different all over the country. The best example I can give is where I used to live their is a long viaduct. Over the years the bridge decks have been replaced by different contractors leaving different surfaces. As you drive down the viaduct you can hear different pitches of sound almost like a melody. High and low pitches with the same tires! So I would say if you expect to reduce cabin noise you would have to buy tires based on the most often pavement you drive on. Good luck. The sound ratings at Tirerack are based on averages so your best tire may not be best for your roads.

 

Yeah, coming from my wife's 08 RX350, the 350H we test drove was relatively quiet. Coming from my 17 ES350 with Michelins, the 350H is noisier.
Anyway, we decided to go ahead with the 350H, should arrive in the next 10 days.

 

AGREE. I've had 5 ES models and now an NX. The ES models were way quieter than this NX. I do have to say though the 2021 ES300H I just sold to get the NX had the soundproof windshield or whatever it was called. The NX does not list it like the ES did. So I'm not sure the NX has anything except for Japanese glass.

 

UPDATE: I bled some air out of my tires earlier and noticed a difference in ride quality. I no longer feel every bump and pebble in the road and it’s a bit smoother and quieter. Not a night and day difference but still noticeable. Feels a little more Lexus.

I was reading 41 when hot, lowered to 36 hot. I have the normal 18 inch wheels and manufacturer recommended pressure is 33 cold. I’ll measure it tomorrow before I drive it to see how it is cold. My goal is to get it to 33-34 cold.

I’m not terribly concerned about the minimal effect on fuel economy. The thirsty turbo in the 350 will always be the culprit for mileage.

 

Yeah personally I always check air in a cold morning and add 2 more PSI than recommended. This works quite well on my 2017 ES350, but it is a already quite car to start with and those Michelin Primacy MXV4s helps a lot. I plan to do the same on my wife's incoming NX Hybrid when it arrive in a week or so.

 

you haven’t had any issues installing non run-flats? I read somewhere (can’t remember where) that you shouldn’t install non run-flats on cars that come with them from the factory because the car’s suspension and chassis are built around the stiffer run-flats. But of course I’ve read multiple posts about people changing them and not encountering any issues.

 

We haven't even received our NX H yet. But as soon as those RF wears out, I will replace them with a set of Michelins and buy a spare tire for longer trips. I don't expect any issue with non-RFs, but that's just me.

 

Run flat or non run flat, makes no difference what you have on a car. I put 245/50R20 Pirelli NRFs on my 22 NX350 and get a much better ride and less road noise. BMW offers the option of RF or NRF tires on many of there models and they certainly don't change the suspension for the type of tire ordered. My 2020 X6 has NRF but could be ordered with RF.

 

How are your 245/50R20's going? I'm curious to know as I'm considering the same when my OEM run-flat's need a change. Was a bit concerned with the size change whether there'd be any issues with scrubbing at full lock, etc.

 

Update:
Cold: 33 PSI
Hot: 35 PSI

 

No problem with 245/50R20s. I installed Pirelli Scorpion AS Plus 3 102V UTQG:800AA, great ride and very little road noise. I took off the run flats at 1,147 miles and will put them back on when I trade. When they balanced the Pirelli's they took about 1/3 the weights the run flats had. I bought mine from Amazon, they cost a lot less when I bought them in January but Amazon is still less than others.
IMHO (and reviews) the Bridgestone run flats on the NX are awful although some on the forum think there great and take offense to me stating my opinion-----------------that's their problem.
https://tiresize.com/comparison/

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

 

Thanks for the info, one final question. Did you put the Pirelli's on your existing OEM rims? or on new rims?

 

OEM
The NX 20" will accept a tire that requires a 7.5" to 8.5" wheel, the 245s require an 8" wheel.

 

So I visited my parents last weekend and drove their 2020 RX350. Damn thing was alot louder then I remembered. Even more loud then that NX350h. Maybe it was the LS400 that was really quite. Or maybe some other luxury brand, maybe Cadillac. And yes its differs based on the type of surface. groved concrete is the loudest. Gonna go through with the sound dampening of the NX in a few weeks and see how that works out.

 

Does the NX have acoustic front windows to reduce noise? How can you tell from looking?