Road noise

[dm2]

Ok guys, a less asked question this I think, but I have a question about road noise.

The other week I needed to replace the inspection light hatch in the front wheel arch trim due to it being 'lost' by my body shop (yes he had to pay for it and get an ear bending for the carelessness!).

Anyway whilst on the phone trying to order a replacement with HR Owen, the chap mentioned that the hard plastic wheel arch trims in the early 4200 models were replaced in the later 4200 and GS by some flexible material as it more common with other cars. He thought the change reduced the road noise intruding in to the cabin - and this makes sense given the hard plastic covers wouldn't be very good at absorbing noise.

If this really would reduce road noise appreciably, I might go for it - or perhaps there are other solutions such as insulating the wheel arches on the inside?

In a similar vein, when driving in the semi-wet, from the driver's position, I can actually hear the rear tyre cutting through water very clearly, whereas noise from other traffic is nicely isolated.

Any ideas welcome - I'm not desperate but it would be nice to reduce road noise intruding in to the cabin. Long journeys might be nicer across some of the rougher motorway roads as well.

Cheers, Dolo.

 

[lozcb]

Ok guys, a less asked question this I think, but I have a question about road noise.

The other week I needed to replace the inspection light hatch in the front wheel arch trim due to it being 'lost' by my body shop (yes he had to pay for it and get an ear bending for the carelessness!).

Anyway whilst on the phone trying to order a replacement with HR Owen, the chap mentioned that the hard plastic wheel arch trims in the early 4200 models were replaced in the later 4200 and GS by some flexible material as it more common with other cars. He thought the change reduced the road noise intruding in to the cabin - and this makes sense given the hard plastic covers wouldn't be very good at absorbing noise.

If this really would reduce road noise appreciably, I might go for it - or perhaps there are other solutions such as insulating the wheel arches on the inside?

In a similar vein, when driving in the semi-wet, from the driver's position, I can actually hear the rear tyre cutting through water very clearly, whereas noise from other traffic is nicely isolated.

Any ideas welcome - I'm not desperate but it would be nice to reduce road noise intruding in to the cabin. Long journeys might be nicer across some of the rougher motorway roads as well.

Cheers, Dolo.

True Dolo, early cars were fitted with plain plastic wheels arch liners , and later ones with felt/carpet effect type liners , not that expensive to swap over i think , around £30 a corner , so not wallet busting , and gives a better look to the car in general , cant say ive noticed any noise reduction from the 4200 to the GS but in theory there must be , perhaps my tubi's on the 4200 and the larini on the GS just obliterate the minimal sound reductions made , just llistening to the exhaust note save a fortune on 8 tracks er i mean CD s


regards loz

 

[Parisien]

, just llistening to the exhaust note save a fortune on 8 tracks er i mean CD s


regards loz

Just happened to have the drivers window down as I was exiting an airport car park yesterday.....and had left it down as it wasn't -10 over here..........and the exhaust noise was truly exhilarating......roll on the warmer days!!!


P


PS Loz....wots a CD...?...

 

[conaero]

I cant hear anything over those Larinis

 

[urbanmaser]

I was going to say with those Larinis a reduction in road noise would be like a spit in the ocean........if you have a nagging wife I recommend Larinis............you will never hear her moaning and complaining...........perfectttttttttt

 

[X1ons]

from what year did they change the 4200 arches????

 

[Emtee]

Hi X1ons,

I checked Eurospares to see whether there was an obvious change date, but it's not particularly clear. From what I can tell, the first 4200's show one range of part numbers, which are to be superceded as stocks are exhausted. Everything after that through 2003,4 and 5 is consistent, so I suspect the plastic liners were only on early 4200's prior to the 2003 model upgrade. Looks like they're interchangeable though.

Cheers, Emtee.

 

[lozcb]

Hi X1ons,

I checked Eurospares to see whether there was an obvious change date, but it's not particularly clear. From what I can tell, the first 4200's show one range of part numbers, which are to be superceded as stocks are exhausted. Everything after that through 2003,4 and 5 is consistent, so I suspect the plastic liners were only on early 4200's prior to the 2003 model upgrade. Looks like they're interchangeable though.

Cheers, Emtee.

they certainly are i have only one felt one on the 4200 must get round to changing the other,

regards loz

 

[Emtee]

Thanks for confirming Loz.

 

[dm2]

I think I might invest in the felt arches, but it will go to the back of the queue for the moment, also need all my wheels refurbed. Changing the topic now, but anyone used Perfection Alloys based in Leicester? They seem to price competitively and looks like they do a proper job (wheel off, tyre off then refurb). They also travel which is handy for me.

 

[Emtee]

Hi dm2, I'm up the road in Luffro. Mine are proper awful and I'll be getting a bare metal re-build and I'm going to take the opportunity to change to something along the lines of Graphite. Haven't checked these guys out, as it sounds as tho' they're mobile refurbers? good ones mind you if they're taking the rubber off. Went up the road to Nottingham yesterday to check out The Wheel Specialists. Spoke to Mark Harnden who was really helpful. They've done Masers before with a QP in the last couple of weeks. They're a national franchise, but their facilities are very good and they can turn 4 wheels around within the day. They have their own standard options as well as specials and manufacturer matches. As well as full bare metal rebuilds they'll refurbish also. You've also got AlloyWheelRepair in Melton Mowbray. I think Dave used them to sort out his alloys, and my mate used them for his Porsche wheels, which were spot on. Again either a refurb or a rebuild. If you need someone to travel to you, then this is all by the by, but if you can leave your car with them (or drop off the wheels), then they may be useful options? Anyway, I hope you get them sorted to your full satisfaction. Cheers, Emtee.