Saloon vs Touring noise levels

[RobM77]

My boss at work recently had a C Class estate as a courtesy car whilst his C class saloon was in for a service. He arrived at work from his 1hr30min commute moaning about the noise. Apparently the cars both had the same size wheels. I'm currently looking at buying a 3 or 5 series - is there much difference in refinement between the two? I've always had saloons. I fold the rear seats down and use the full load area about twice a week, and manage fine with a saloon, but an estate would be handy for carrying bigger things. My commute is 74 miles a day and noise when cruising in top gear is a major priority for me, moreso than the ability to get a bike in without removing the wheels or similar.

Edited by RobM77 on Sunday 4th August 18:10

[d_a_n1979]

I’ve had x3 BMWs (E38 and E39s) saloons and they were much quieter compared to my E39 530i touring now.

But that’s not to say my touring is noisy, but you do notice the sound more as the cabin is open to the load area whereas a saloon is completely blanked off, so to speak.

[RobM77]

d_a_n1979 said:

I’ve had x3 BMWs (E38 and E39s) saloons and they were much quieter compared to my E39 530i touring now.

But that’s not to say my touring is noisy, but you do notice the sound more as the cabin is open to the load area whereas a saloon is completely blanked off, so to speak.

Thank you. That confirms what my boss was saying.

[Mr Tidy]

Well contrary to that, in April I replaced my 06 plate E91 325i with a 55 plate E90 330i and I didn't notice any difference at motorway speeds. Whether that is because my E90 has the optional split/fold rear seats, I don't know!

But there was definitely a bit more noise in the E91 when it was loaded up with the rear seats down.

The best solution would be to try both yourself if possible before you commit.

[BFleming]

I've just done 1250 miles this weekend with the seats down in my F11. Despite being fully loaded, it was definitely louder than with the rear seats up / boot cover in place - which you'd expect.
With the seats up & boot cover in place it's a very refined quiet place to be at any speed.
Agreeing with Helix's post below, I also owned an E46 touring, and had regular use of an E46 saloon, and they're identical in terms of cabin noise.

Edited by BFleming on Monday 5th August 11:01

[helix402]

I’ve had E46 saloons and tourings and noticed no increase in noise in a touring.

[Krikkit]

In my experience a saloon with a proper bulkhead to the boot (i.e. non-folding seats) is quieter than one with folding seats. Not sure if the E46 can be had without folders of course.

[BFleming]

Krikkit said:

In my experience a saloon with a proper bulkhead to the boot (i.e. non-folding seats) is quieter than one with folding seats. Not sure if the E46 can be had without folders of course.

The E46 saloon came with fixed rear seats as standard, and folding ones as a £200 (or so) option. The coupe came with standard folding rear seats (as did the E36 coupe before it). The touring & compact had folding rear seats of course, whilst the convertible had fixed rear seats.

[bigdom]

One of the family cars is a 5 series tourer, one of my mates has a 5 series saloon. The saloon has the fixed rear seats, and is quieter than my tourer. Having said that, not enough to worry about, even at German motorway speeds. Just take one out and see what you think.

Both are noisier than the 7 series, although for the run down to Spain in a few weeks time, the Tourer will be taken as it’s more practical for the trip.