i have a 2012 g37x with 17" rims around 60k miles. i replaced them with spec 1 spm 77 19" rims (http://www.spec1wheels.com/wheel/5486/spm-77/) and put brand new 245-40-19 michelin primacy mxm4. but there is definitely a noise coming from the drive. most noticable on smooth roads.. like cupped tires. i can only hear from the driver side. discount tires balanced and rotated tires several times, but the noise does not go away. i dont remember it making this noise when i had the stock 17" rims and sumitomo tires that came with it.

for a moment i thought it could be the tpms sensor, because they strapped it to the rim use tpms band (sensor would not sit flat on rim). but today, they took the sensors out just to see if it helps with noise. not a bit of difference. i was so hoping this was the issue.

i've taken a two difference dealers and they say its an increase in road noise from going to bigger tires, but it doesnt seem to be the tires to me. it runs smooth like butter, just like a ticking noise. i dont have big disc brakes and checked several times for anything the rims.

also i verified that they put on the correct hub rings (plastic ones) and torqued the lug nuts. the lug nuts are aftermarket spline nuts that came with the rims.. i wonder if this could be the issue, i could replace with my older rims. i need to solve this problem soon before my 30 days are up on my tires and wheels.

the sound almost seems mechanical, but why appear after changing rims and tires. i also had my mechanic test drive the car. he could barely notice any sound, but said it looks like from the tires.. if wheel bearing, he says noise would be apparent. also rotor he inspected were good and no major vibration while braking.

my next steps would be change the tires to Continental dws06. but im afraid this would make the noise worse as it is tolerable now.

 

so is the noise a ticking/buzzing/humming?

 

The noise is a ticking at slower speed. but a kinda of echo whining sound (i get you could say buzzing) around 55mph and higher. not loud, but heard obviously on smooth roads.

 

I'd recommend going to DWS regardless

 

pretty odd, the only thing I can think of is the tires making noise. Did the wheels/tires balance out right? did they have to use a ton of weights to balance it out? If you swap the stock ones back on and its quiet then then its something with the wheels/tires. Its a tough situation, If you really really like the wheels/tires maybe you can drive it a while and it will break or wear in, but I know you have a deadline.

 

so just to give an update.

last sunday, i have a friend who has the same model car with stock wheels. so i switched out the front two wheels with his vehicle. no weird noise. that narrowed the suspect to the rims or tires.

so i called the retailer and had them switch out the michelin primacy mxm4 with the continental dws06 on friday. when switching out the tires, they also went to normal tpms on valve stems installation.

i happy to report the no weird chopping noises other than an expected road noise. so maybe its the michelin tires (which were brand new) or the rubber valve stems they put on before.

moreover, to help with the road noise, i ordered two items from amazon.
and . im planning to remove my wheel wells and apply these products on the inside of them. also maybe some of the dampening insulation if i see any gaps in the fenders. anyone have experience with these products?

 

Yep, I'd put my money on it being the tires, especially brand new tires. Some take longer to scrub in than others and some just have tread patterns that are more prone to noise.

Sounds like you've already got it under control, might even post a review thread about that excess noise to help other members out.