Cars sound expensive on the road....let me (try) to explain.
Discussion
Bare with me on this one as not only is it quite difficult to explain (i think!), most will wonder what the f
k i'm on about...add to the fact i don't really know what i'm trying to acheive with this thread...
Anyway, you know when a car drives past you - when you're out walking that is - why do some cars have an 'expensive' sound to them. I'm mainly talking about Audis, BMWs, Mercedes, Lexus etc. Now i'm not talking about the engine noise, nor the tyre noise (i think!) the road noise from it rolling down the road (that's not gangsta talk BTW!)
To add contrast to this, a Peugeot or a Ford or most 'mainstream' cars sound st - i'm not implying they're st cars!
So, if you know what the fk i'm talking about and notice this too, is it down to the fact these cars are overengineered and are made to sound like this or is it down to something else - not sure if it's to do with wheel size (or is it!) or the suspension.
And just to point out again it's not the sound of the engine - it's the sound of the road when the car goes past.
k i'm on about...add to the fact i don't really know what i'm trying to acheive with this thread...Anyway, you know when a car drives past you - when you're out walking that is - why do some cars have an 'expensive' sound to them. I'm mainly talking about Audis, BMWs, Mercedes, Lexus etc. Now i'm not talking about the engine noise, nor the tyre noise (i think!) the road noise from it rolling down the road (that's not gangsta talk BTW!)
To add contrast to this, a Peugeot or a Ford or most 'mainstream' cars sound s
t - i'm not implying they're st cars!So, if you know what the f
k i'm talking about and notice this too, is it down to the fact these cars are overengineered and are made to sound like this or is it down to something else - not sure if it's to do with wheel size (or is it!) or the suspension.And just to point out again it's not the sound of the engine - it's the sound of the road when the car goes past.
jimxms said:
If we're not talking about noise form the engine, then it can only be the tyre contact with the road surely?
Unless its down a cobbled street, in which case a cheap car might rattle down there?
More likely something to do with aerodynamic tuning, I suspect. Or possibly even more likely to be the OP's imagination. Unless its down a cobbled street, in which case a cheap car might rattle down there?
OP I get you.
Expensive cars tend to run quieter, smoother, and have big ass wheels making rolling noise.
So, on a brand new CLS or something you hear next to no engine noise, but plenty of tyre roll. And the car sounds heavy.
AS OPPOSED TO
a 3 year old focus tdci with eleventy nine billion miles on it, you hear some brake squeak, a rattly arse deisel engine and less "smoothness"
Expensive cars tend to run quieter, smoother, and have big ass wheels making rolling noise.
So, on a brand new CLS or something you hear next to no engine noise, but plenty of tyre roll. And the car sounds heavy.
AS OPPOSED TO
a 3 year old focus tdci with eleventy nine billion miles on it, you hear some brake squeak, a rattly arse deisel engine and less "smoothness"
NotDave said:
OP I get you.
Expensive cars tend to run quieter, smoother, and have big ass wheels making rolling noise.
So, on a brand new CLS or something you hear next to no engine noise, but plenty of tyre roll. And the car sounds heavy.
AS OPPOSED TO
a 3 year old focus tdci with eleventy nine billion miles on it, you hear some brake squeak, a rattly arse deisel engine and less "smoothness"
I think this is the answer. Thank You.Expensive cars tend to run quieter, smoother, and have big ass wheels making rolling noise.
So, on a brand new CLS or something you hear next to no engine noise, but plenty of tyre roll. And the car sounds heavy.
AS OPPOSED TO
a 3 year old focus tdci with eleventy nine billion miles on it, you hear some brake squeak, a rattly arse deisel engine and less "smoothness"
But the main question is/was do other people notice this? Don't knock it till you heard it
You'll all be doing it next time you're out!
St John Smythe said:
PaperCut said:
I knew this would go down as an 'epic thread'. Yes i think it must be the tyre noise contact, but why does a Mondeo with big wide tyres not have that sound.
I'm going for a lie down.
I actually get what you mean. It must be a combination of wide tyres and a heavy car.I'm going for a lie down.
It's definitely a combination of weight, wide wheels, and good damping.
kambites said:
jimxms said:
If we're not talking about noise form the engine, then it can only be the tyre contact with the road surely?
Unless its down a cobbled street, in which case a cheap car might rattle down there?
More likely something to do with aerodynamic tuning, I suspect. Or possibly even more likely to be the OP's imagination. Unless its down a cobbled street, in which case a cheap car might rattle down there?
EDIT: to some of the above, surely squeaks and sounds like that would be more along the lines of "Cars that sound OLD on the road".?
Edited by jimxms on Monday 30th January 15:20
PaperCut said:
I think this is the answer. Thank You.
But the main question is/was do other people notice this? Don't knock it till you heard it
You'll all be doing it next time you're out!
You can basically hear "class" for want of a better phrase.But the main question is/was do other people notice this? Don't knock it till you heard it
You'll all be doing it next time you're out!
Case and point...... My snotter VS the SAAB.
SAAB, heavy, big wide wheels and tyres. Barring the derv lump.......... It rolls far smoother, and when on throttle is just a wooshy noise.
The Alfa, light, rattly TSparker.....knocking suspension etc........
New FFRR, new RRS, new mercs etc all sound smoother
I 'get' what the OP means too, but it really is a combination of all the noises -
Engine / Intake / Exhaust
Tyre Contact Patch / Weight of the Car
Suspension Components
Rattles etc
You can't discount any of those (at least to top 3) and rely on just one as the car wouldn't be moving without making them?
Anyway, I do notice a cars coming up behind me and 'knowing' they are more or less expensive than the last - but not to rain man levels as the OP
Engine / Intake / Exhaust
Tyre Contact Patch / Weight of the Car
Suspension Components
Rattles etc
You can't discount any of those (at least to top 3) and rely on just one as the car wouldn't be moving without making them?
Anyway, I do notice a cars coming up behind me and 'knowing' they are more or less expensive than the last - but not to rain man levels as the OP
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