RS4 Noise Levels
Discussion
I have just bought a nearly-new RS4. I chose the car mainly because of its much-lauded performance credentials but naturally I assumed that Audi's attention to detail would be impeccable. I was thus disappointed to discover the following...
1. An excessive level of buffeting wind-noise from the wing-mirror area on both sides of the car even though everything there seems to be intact. The noise is very intrusive, seems to change with wind direction, and at 70mph it can be heard well above normal radio listening levels. In my attempts to discover its source I covered up various parts of that area with sealing tape including the gap between the mirror stalks. The only time I thought I noticed a difference was when the channelled sealing strips on the side of the windscreen were covered, but this was only slight. Interestingly, it is only possible to hear the noise from the side on which you are sitting.
2. High levels of road-roar from the tyres - even audible at 40mph. Occasionally, a change in road surface makes it almost tolerable but this doesn't happen often. Mostly, the noise seems to be from the rear tyres.
I have great faith in Audi as a quality manufacturer and do not believe that they would knowingly allow such a fabulous car costing 50K to be produced with such glaring defects. However, the local dealer has confirmed my observations and submitted a report to Audi but said that he didn't know what he could do since everything seemed OK. I would value comments from other interested parties particularly on the channelled sealing strip on the vertical side of the windscreen which IMHO seems to defy aerodynamic commonsense.
1. An excessive level of buffeting wind-noise from the wing-mirror area on both sides of the car even though everything there seems to be intact. The noise is very intrusive, seems to change with wind direction, and at 70mph it can be heard well above normal radio listening levels. In my attempts to discover its source I covered up various parts of that area with sealing tape including the gap between the mirror stalks. The only time I thought I noticed a difference was when the channelled sealing strips on the side of the windscreen were covered, but this was only slight. Interestingly, it is only possible to hear the noise from the side on which you are sitting.
2. High levels of road-roar from the tyres - even audible at 40mph. Occasionally, a change in road surface makes it almost tolerable but this doesn't happen often. Mostly, the noise seems to be from the rear tyres.
I have great faith in Audi as a quality manufacturer and do not believe that they would knowingly allow such a fabulous car costing 50K to be produced with such glaring defects. However, the local dealer has confirmed my observations and submitted a report to Audi but said that he didn't know what he could do since everything seemed OK. I would value comments from other interested parties particularly on the channelled sealing strip on the vertical side of the windscreen which IMHO seems to defy aerodynamic commonsense.
Edited by FOG on Monday 22 October 09:05
Edited by FOG on Monday 22 October 14:33
Tyre noise:
As much a product of the tyre tread design as it is inherent in the width/profile of the things.
Is it wearing the OEM tyres (and I mean exactly OEM - not the latest generation of OEM) - I didn't note any serious tyre noise on the RS4 I tested, but then the Alpina has intrusive tyre noise.
Other than that, it's a relatively lightweight (for class) performance saloon wearing 255/35 section tyres (IIRC?) - it's going to be noisy no matter what you do with it!
Wind noise - can't comment I'm afraid, as I don't actually own an RS4 - but aerodynamic common sense doesn't apply when you involve wing-mirrors, windscreen wipers, and huge wheels, and all the other appendages which cars need, but which play havoc with airflow.
Have you driven another RS4 to benchmark your one?
As much a product of the tyre tread design as it is inherent in the width/profile of the things.
Is it wearing the OEM tyres (and I mean exactly OEM - not the latest generation of OEM) - I didn't note any serious tyre noise on the RS4 I tested, but then the Alpina has intrusive tyre noise.
Other than that, it's a relatively lightweight (for class) performance saloon wearing 255/35 section tyres (IIRC?) - it's going to be noisy no matter what you do with it!
Wind noise - can't comment I'm afraid, as I don't actually own an RS4 - but aerodynamic common sense doesn't apply when you involve wing-mirrors, windscreen wipers, and huge wheels, and all the other appendages which cars need, but which play havoc with airflow.
Have you driven another RS4 to benchmark your one?
I do own one and Trye roar will be the type of tyre you have on the car than anything else, I have P-Zerro's and they are not to bad, but on very poor surfaces can be noisey, turbulence from the front of the car is not an issue on mine at all, however some older cars have needed a mod on the air flow in the A/C unit, as at motorway speeds there was a howling of air in the windscreen area, again mine in NO problem at all.
www.rs246.com is the place to ask, the guys who have had these problems will put you right.
www.rs246.com is the place to ask, the guys who have had these problems will put you right.
FOG said:
1. An excessive level of buffeting wind-noise from the wing-mirror area on both sides of the car even though everything there seems to be intact. The noise is very intrusive, seems to change with wind direction, and at 70mph it can be heard well above normal radio listening levels. In my attempts to discover its source I covered up various parts of that area with sealing tape including the gap between the mirror stalks. The only time I thought I noticed a difference was when the channeled sealing strips on the side of the windscreen were covered, but this was only slight. Interestingly, it is only possible to hear the noise from the side on which you are sitting.
Switch off the air ventilation and then let us know. I had problems of excessive wind noise in my RS4 and it turned out to be the air vents (a known problem by Audi). It can be partly cured by fitment of a charcoal filter to the air intake (which slows down the air), but it's still louder than any of my other cars. I've never had a problem with the wind noise - i have double glazing fitted to mine but even the cars i drove without it don't have any problem and i would have to say given the performance are incredibly refined especially in comparison to my old B5 RS4.
It honestly can't be anything to do witht he mirrors or design because my car is whisper quiet even post 100mph on the autobahn - the most noticable noise is the exhaust which always makes me think im in 4th and not 6th.
The tyre noise as mentioned is down to what tyres you have fitted, but will always be a problem on any car fitted with 19" low profile performance rubber - take a wheel off and look how wide it is - thats hte problem - the amount of rubber you have in contact with the road, my S8 had 20" very wide tyres and was pretty defeaning on concerete and asphalt - the only way to stop it is add lots of sound proofing to under the carpets which is what they do in limo's but TBH if it bothers you then you should buy an S class or A8 and not a RS4 which is focused on performance and not outright refinement.
I have pirelli rubber, they are noticably quieter than the michelins but if you drive on a completely smooth road like the new M6 toll then you can't even hear them, so i would hardly blame that on audi but rather cheap road surfacing.
In either case, i usually can't hear anything over the engine and exhausts with teh S button engaged.
It honestly can't be anything to do witht he mirrors or design because my car is whisper quiet even post 100mph on the autobahn - the most noticable noise is the exhaust which always makes me think im in 4th and not 6th.
The tyre noise as mentioned is down to what tyres you have fitted, but will always be a problem on any car fitted with 19" low profile performance rubber - take a wheel off and look how wide it is - thats hte problem - the amount of rubber you have in contact with the road, my S8 had 20" very wide tyres and was pretty defeaning on concerete and asphalt - the only way to stop it is add lots of sound proofing to under the carpets which is what they do in limo's but TBH if it bothers you then you should buy an S class or A8 and not a RS4 which is focused on performance and not outright refinement.
I have pirelli rubber, they are noticably quieter than the michelins but if you drive on a completely smooth road like the new M6 toll then you can't even hear them, so i would hardly blame that on audi but rather cheap road surfacing.
In either case, i usually can't hear anything over the engine and exhausts with teh S button engaged.
Thanks to all those who commented. Unlike it may have seemed I have owned high-performance cars for the last 20 years or so all of which have worn low-profile tyres and carried wing-mirrors.
All M3s have been virtually wind-silent including the 1994 3.0 with double-stalked mirrors akin to the RS4. Tyre noise from all of my M3s has been negligible on any road-surface but there again I have never used 19in wheels with 35 section tyres.
All TVRs I have owned have not suffered from any excessive wind-noise that could not be corrected by adjusting a door, window or seal and TVR were not noted for their attention to aerodynamic detail. No road-roar but wheel and tyre size were fairly modest.
After remarks received and the fact that the RS4 tyres are much quieter on very smooth surfaces I am inclined to put down the RS4 tyre-noise to a combination of 19in wheels, 35 section tyres and poor roads in the NE.
Thanks Lambogenie for the re-assuring comments about the wing-mirrrors at 100mph. This confirms my own experiments with masking tape. DoctorD - I switched-off the ventilation but there was no change. I have tried another newish RS4 and although still present the wind-noise was better. I am still suspicious of that strange guttered windscreen seal the likes of which I have never seen before.
All M3s have been virtually wind-silent including the 1994 3.0 with double-stalked mirrors akin to the RS4. Tyre noise from all of my M3s has been negligible on any road-surface but there again I have never used 19in wheels with 35 section tyres.
All TVRs I have owned have not suffered from any excessive wind-noise that could not be corrected by adjusting a door, window or seal and TVR were not noted for their attention to aerodynamic detail. No road-roar but wheel and tyre size were fairly modest.
After remarks received and the fact that the RS4 tyres are much quieter on very smooth surfaces I am inclined to put down the RS4 tyre-noise to a combination of 19in wheels, 35 section tyres and poor roads in the NE.
Thanks Lambogenie for the re-assuring comments about the wing-mirrrors at 100mph. This confirms my own experiments with masking tape. DoctorD - I switched-off the ventilation but there was no change. I have tried another newish RS4 and although still present the wind-noise was better. I am still suspicious of that strange guttered windscreen seal the likes of which I have never seen before.
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