Wind noise - how much of it do you hear?

[retired99]

Well, I have a brand new C7, built in September. The noise is not terrible, but it's not as quiet as I hoped for also. I have a very sensitive hearing and from around 50 mph i start to hear some 'air flow roar', seems to be coming from the mirror area. As the speed increases it gets louder. It felt less noticable in my Passat CC, but also maybe because of more engine/tire noise.

My question is: What do you hear most at let's say 50-70 mph (with the radio off)? Is it the tire noise, the engine or the 'air/wind'?

Ps. Im often covering up to 1200 km through German highways at speeds of 100 mph +, so accustic comfort is very important for me

50 to 70 it's tyre noise, although this varies a lot according to the road surface. Above 100mph it's probably wind noise although at this speed the sounds seem to merge. I drive in Germany quite often and it's quiet enough at 100mph plus although not exceptional. Better than a BMW 5 series (F11) and not so good as a MB GL, my previous two cars.

My car is an A6 Allroad Biturbo on 18" wheels.

[fernar]

My friends has a 5 series (F11) 2.0d - and to me it always seems to me that his car has less tyre noise than and about the same wind noise as my A6 up to about 50 mph.... but interesting thing is that he thinks the A6 las less noise then his 5 series...

Above 50 mpg - I think both cars are similar in general - although on some roads (very surface dependent) the Audi still has more tyre roar..

This may be a case of what you are used to....

One thing is certain is that the sound of the diesel engine in his car at idle is louder than the A6... once the cars are moving there is not a lot of difference

Trouble is there are so many variables.... my car is a 6 pot - his car is a 4 pot; I have 18" wheels -he has 17" wheels..

I dont know if there are like for like measurements anywhere - with a sound meter measuring the sound at different speeds.... but even then it possible for a give car to be louder than another car, but the character of the sound being more 'acceptable' it's all to do with the specific frequency spectrum of the actual sound

[ScottyA6]

On the way back home tonight I would say tyre noise. To be honest, as it was coming down in buckets it was probably an even race between tyres and windscreen wipers. If the loudest thing in the car (with a whacking great 3 Litre diesel lump up front) is your wipers it is a quiet car, very quiet in fact.

[Chris_www]

For me it is the tyre noise that I notice the most. The OEM 19" Pirelli tyres are really noisy on certain types of UK road surfaces, where it isn't a problem on French roads.

My A6 is noticeably quieter on the Audi 18" Dunlop winter tyres, even though they are supposed to generate more tyre roar due to the tread pattern.

I'm looking forward to the Pirelli tyres wearing out so I can replace them with something quieter. The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance tyes I fitted to my wife's BMW X1 are incredibly quiet but Goodyear don't do Audi 19" sizes yet.

[ukgroucho]

My allroad is running 18" Continentals and they are not too bad for tyre noise. Previous C6 A6 ran Michelin primacy and they were also pretty good.

In general "noisy" tyres tend to be less fuel efficient for obvious reasons (i.e. you have to use energy to generate the noise).

[ScottyA6]

For me it is the tyre noise that I notice the most. The OEM 19" Pirelli tyres are really noisy on certain types of UK road surfaces, where it isn't a problem on French roads.

My A6 is noticeably quieter on the Audi 18" Dunlop winter tyres, even though they are supposed to generate more tyre roar due to the tread pattern.

I'm looking forward to the Pirelli tyres wearing out so I can replace them with something quieter. The Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance tyes I fitted to my wife's BMW X1 are incredibly quiet but Goodyear don't do Audi 19" sizes yet.

Mine is on OEM Goodyears, it has to be about 20 Years since I ran a set of Goodyears on a car. Will have to see how they pan out.

[Chris_www]

Mine is on OEM Goodyears, it has to be about 20 Years since I ran a set of Goodyears on a car. Will have to see how they pan out.

Looks like Goodyear are investing in R&D. EfficientGrip tyres are ahead of almost everything on the combined EU ratings for economy, noise and wet grip.
The OEM Pirelli tyres are rated as one of the noisiest on the EU scale, and I can believe it too.

[tadziak]

Tire noise is something totally different. I have the OEM Michelin Prime tires and I can't complain. The wind noise is however hearable since 50 mph and above. What bothers me the most is that in my Passat CC it seemed less and it's a lower class car...

[k6rff]

0nly 400 miles up thus far and I've not driven it hard as I'm running in for 4k (I know it's not required but I've always done it - oil consumption later is negligible), but I've noticed how quiet it is and there is no real wind noise. If you are experiencing noticeable noise I'd discuss it with your dealer. Could be something not sealing/displaced.

[birdmansa6]

Hi

I can live with the wind noise but I sometimes have a a loud drowning noise when driving below 50mph. It's like the front wheel bearings are worn. It's some times louder when turning right. Just too busy to book it in to get it looked at also some times when you accelerate its gets very loud. You can hear it more being a front seat passenger.