With 7K miles on the front Dunlop SP Sport Maxxes, I'm starting to notice a distinct noise from 35 to 40mph. Sort of a purr / hum / growl.

Has anyone else experienced this with them?

I'm also noticing a whine from the Pirellis at the rear at about 65.

I don't care so much about the Pirellis as they're just about worn out. But the Dunlops are less than half worn - I hope they don't keep getting worse.

Obviously the answer for now is simple, drive at 40-60, or more than 70.

 

I have sport maxx all round, i have no unwarranted noise eminating from my tyres, they are all a little below 50%, not sure about the road surfaces where you live, but here in Australia they vary a great deal pending on how close to a major city you are, i am regional and our highways are around 15mm bluemetal chipseal surfaces, the mm of bluemetal does change closer to our capital city to 10mm chipseal, and the noise from my tyres audibly changes as you would expect according to the road surface seal type, we also have asphalt surfaces on inner suburban roads where the tyre noise is almost inaudible as you would expect. Not really of much help to you, as i would expect your road surface seal must change depending on where you are too, but i have had no issue with my tyres as yet, but i dont see the cold running temps maybe that you do either, its still summer here in Australia and have not had my dunlops through an aussie winter due to my ownership of my XJ only being 2 months or so.