I recently purchased a used '04 S 5 door. I had previously rented the I 4door with the stock 15" tires and wheels and did not notice any excessive road / tire noise. When I test drove the 3S I was driving on city streets that were recently paved and, of course, did not hear any excessive tire/road noise. But when I purchased the 3S I then drove on old concrete and worn pavement and was annoyed by the amount of tire/road noise and the very poor ride comfort of the Goodyear GSA's. My obvious conclusion is the stock 17" wheels and tires are the problem. I am strongly considering replacing the wheels and tires with the stock 16" inch or even the 15" to achieve a more compliant ride. Has anyone else noticed the road noise of the 17" tires and wheels on the S model?

 

I have the 17" on the 05 sp23 model, and I do feel and hear the road more so than with the stock 15" tires on the other models I test drove, but I like it that way, so I guess its each to there own :-P