Hows your old barge compare with newer metal

[V6todayEVmanana]

Still on my quest for reduced road noise on my motorway commute.

I've started adding sound deadening material but at the same time reading the smokers barge and readers threads.

I was expecting newer cars to focus on noise reduction so might surpass older barges but with the original prices of A8, S classes and Lexus barges I'm now thinking the new cars cant compete because of price.

Reviews state the BMW e39 being quite but each model since being even quieter.

Anyone got a old barge and something new but finds the new car quieter (road,wind, not engine)

Edited by V6todayEVmanana on Thursday 2nd May 23:44

[freenote]

I’ve got a 2003 merc cl500 (basically an s class coupe). I can’t get over the quietness and tech from and almost 20 year old car. Double glazing probably helps a lot.

[anonymous-user]

Without spending mega money I haven't found anything quieter than our LS430. Double glazing makes a surprising difference to noise.

My friend has a 2014 Audi A8 with the V8 diesel and engine noise aside its nowhere near as quiet at motorway speeds. Prior to that he had a 2011 Phaeton with a V8 petrol engine and although close wasn't quite there.

Both look much more inviting inside though and make our 05 LS430 feel somewhat Spartan in comparison but the Lexus feels far better built by miles.

[Harji]

My 2006 A6 Avant is pretty quiet, but I doubt its as quiet as those mentioned by others so far.

[alorotom]

MY07 Q7 was pretty quiet unless giving it some stick on shift down

[Brads67]

My mate rocked up in his new CRH Toyota thingy with all the toys.
Most of which could be found on my 2010 Volvo XC70.

[Mr Tidy]

I had a BMW E46 325ti for 3+ years, then replaced it with an E91 325i that was so much more refined.

But I got bored with it, and after a year replaced it with an E90 330i - slightly more vocal, but much more fun!

I've no desire to own anything newer - too much grief!

Edited by Mr Tidy on Thursday 2nd May 01:04

[biggbn]

My Lexus ls400 was the best built, best engineered, most refined car I have ever owned. Totally converted me. The later ls600lh was tested for cabin noise in a Gale and was quieter than a Bentley in calm conditions. I will have one as soon as circumstances allow..ie in about fifteen years when they are worth nowt. E39 was a very refined car too but nowhere near same class

[Riley Blue]

I have a 2003 A8 4.2 petrol and the loudest sound heard in the cabin is tyre noise, the engine / transmission is very subdued unless I drop it into 'Sport' and floor it. It does have an infuriating little rattle from the centre arm rests that spoils the whole barge experience - curable by a wedge of paper stuffed between them; one day I'll investigate and fix it but CBA for the time being.

[skyrover]

biggbn said:

My Lexus ls400 was the best built, best engineered, most refined car I have ever owned. Totally converted me. The later ls600lh was tested for cabin noise in a Gale and was quieter than a Bentley in calm conditions. I will have one as soon as circumstances allow..ie in about fifteen years when they are worth nowt. E39 was a very refined car too but nowhere near same class

Seconded

[anonymous-user]

I've been looking at 460's and 600's as a replacement for the 430 but the 430 just keeps going and going requiring only consumables and servicing.

At some point I suppose it will have to be replaced but for now there's no shame in driving around in a really old car. At least this one is paid for unlike our much newer less reliable Volvo

[cobra kid]

Brads67 said:

My mate rocked up in his new CRH Toyota thingy with all the toys.
Most of which could be found on my 2010 Volvo XC70.

And......road noise??

[Truckosaurus]

Now then.

My current car is a 2007 Lexus IS250. I had the somewhat dubious pleasure of driving a new (4-cyl petrol) Jaguar E-Pace over Easter and that reminded me that the Lexus does the basics of refinement very well.

It rides better, has nicer seats, makes a much better noise and is quieter than the Jag.

When I first got the Lexus it was on Pirelli Cinturato tyres which were much quieter than the cheapo Bridgestones I replaced them with, so that's one area to look at if you want to improve refinement.

[Equus]

freenote said:

I’ve got a 2003 merc cl500 (basically an s class coupe). I can’t get over the quietness and tech from and almost 20 year old car. Double glazing probably helps a lot.

I could hear a slight whispering from the driver's door seal on my 221 S-Class at speeds over 70mph, when I first bought it, which was very irritating in contrast to the silence of the rest of the cabin, and would have probably driven me to getting it sorted.

It seems to have cured itself, now, though.

[gizlaroc]

Surely tyre noise is the main noise we hear these days?

Tyres can make/ruin a car for refinement.

[Alex_225]

My daily car is a 2003 E320 diesel and to be fair it's a very quiet refined ride. I use it mostly on the motorway and apart from that shocking section of the M25 it's pretty quiet.

Eventually I'm aiming to replace it with an S350 which I'd assume is a step up in refinement. For now my E Class is quiet and comfortable, old school in terms of interior styling and lack of MP3/Bluetooth but otherwise it's got what I think it should. Cruise control, electric heated seats, parking sensors etc.

[JakeT]

I was going to say my old E39 530d was about as quiet of a car as I've ever been in. Had 16 inch wheels with Dunlop tyres on, and it was a relaxing way to travel.

[mrbarnett]

gizlaroc said:

Surely tyre noise is the main noise we hear these days?

Tyres can make/ruin a car for refinement.

This. I was driving over a road with mixed surfaces, and the change in the level of noise between the older tarmac and the new, smooth sections was stark.

Wider, lower profile tyres must surely suffer from tyre roar more than older, narrower tyres, so my vote would be for a perfectly restored XJ12 or similar V12 barge from 30 years ago.

[AC43]

My 2010 E Class is pretty quiet although the change from 17's to 18's has increased tyre noise. I'd avoid the 19's even though they look great.

[Pupbelly]

Just sold a 2003 Lexus GS300 bought as a temporary chariot for a bit of luxury to transport my parents to my wedding. It was fully loaded with dual zone climate control, slide and tilt sunroof, touchscreen sat nav (factory fitted), electric, heated seats, auto lights, etc. it just oozed luxury and wafted along with its 3.0 straight six and autobox effortlessly. Everything about it was solid and with a reassuring muted thump as the doors shut not a tinny clang of modern cars.
Superb car and at 16 years old everything worked and it felt as tight as any new car - for what I paid it was stunning. Unfortunately we don't have room for three cars so it had to go after the wedding.