How prevalent is the wind noise issue?

[Demian]

Hi guys,

First time poster here. I'm seriously considering buying a C30 but the posts on the wind noise issue have turned me off a bit. So does anyone know how prevalent the problem is? Considering there doesn't appear to be a known solution, would you guys still buy your car had you know about the problem before hand?

Any info would be appreciated, I need to make up my mind soon!

[1721greenwich]

the majority of owners DO NOT seem to have this problem. it's only highlighted by the fact that those who do have posted.

my advice is take a car for a test drive and get it up to the magic 40mph then increase the speed and see if you can hear the "wind" noise. you can then make your own decision.

[SwapDOHC]

It seems that most do not have the problem, and of those that do, most are minor, but there are a handful that it is a real problem. Just test drive the actual car you are going to buy, drive it with the radio off and drive it at highway speeds and see for yourself. The car is great and worth the $$, just make sure that the one you get is not afflicted.

[uv23]

The C30 isn't silent, but what I'm still not sure about is what the wind noise everyone on here talks about is supposed to sound like. I get a bit of wind buffeting against the windows as I gain speed, but nothing like a whistling or anything like that.

[Smallvo]

My wind noise sounds a little like this. It starts at exactly 40 mph. It's distracting, but not deafening. If I turn the radio up loud I can't hear it, but I shouldn't have to do that. I want to hear my engine!

And yes, I would still buy the car even with the wind noise.

[sorty]

Call it anything you like!! Owners who swear they have "wind noise" most certainly do. Can everyone hear it? Is it really objectionable? What really are we talking about here?? Like someone else said, drive the car and if you have a problem with "the noise" you will just have to decide whether or not it's a deal breaker.

You have to remind yourself that views expressed on this forum are like any other forum out there. The points of view represented are just a tiny fraction of what's really going on out there. Folks who post are passionate about there cars and like to share their passion with other like individuals. Remember also that the majority of owners out there prefer to just put gas or diesel in the tank and DRIVE.

[raoulduke]

Originally Posted by Smallvo

My wind noise sounds a little like this. If I turn the radio up loud I can't hear it.

Dang Smallvo! Is that really what it sounds like?! That sounds like a winter storm with 50+ mph gusts! If that is your actual sound I'd say you have a major leaker and that's unacceptable in my book! Definitely take her back to the dealer and demand they fix it I say!

[weedevil]

Hey Smalvo...If thats what the wind noise is like I most certainly dont have that! Wow thats a racket. I am so sorry for you. I have commented on wind noise earlier and it would have in no wy stopped me buying.

In a later post I did actually retract my complaint. and in the light of smalvo's complaint I am happy to do so again. Wind noise is not sufficient to be an issue to me. I think its just more noticeable by the overall quietness of the cabin...

[diesel]

Hi can I ask if other people with wind noise problems agree that the sound is as Smallvo describes. I say this because I get a noise like this under hard acceleration and am absolutely positive it is related to the engine -I assume something to do with the turbo charger or air intake as it's related to engine load and cuts out when I reach a steady speed. I only get the noise when the pedal is in the carpet as the engine passes through it's power band and it dies off as revs climb (just before I change up). When cruising at 70 mph (2000rpm in sixth), the loudest thing is the tyres, there’s a little wind roar from outside the car but this is a lot less than most other cars I’ve experienced, I can’t hear the engine at all and can hear myself breathing.

A couple of things to note: my engine is a 2 litre turbo diesel with a six speed manual gearbox. I’ve never driven a T5 so have no reference, but I did have a 1.6 litre petrol C30 (non turbo) as a loaner from the dealership and did not experience this noise at all however engine noise was quite prevalent at motorway speeds.

May be this is something for all of those suffering to look in to.

[uv23]

Well my T5 definitely has a bit of turbo whistle if that's what you mean. All turbos do.

[diesel]

I assume it is some kind of turbo whistle, but it does sound exactly like the sound sample Smallvo posted and not like any turbos I've heard before, it only lasts for a second or so, and only under fairly hard acceleration, whereas most turbo diesels I've driven will produce a whistle if you push the go pedal fractionally harder when cruising at 30 or 40mph for example, but not really if you're going for it -perhaps it's drowned out by engine noise.

[maskake]

The wind noise I get only happens when I'm driving on the highway going more then 60mph. It was kind of out of know were at first but now it is not that big of a deal when it happens. Even if I knew it was going to do that I most likely would have gotten the car anyways.

I don't have a sound clip but friends of mine have compared it to the sound of a whistling bird flying by. High pitched and just comes and goes def not a persistent sound nor should it be a real reason as to not get the car.

[dks35]

the wind noise in my car sounds a lot like in smallvo's clip but not as loud and little bit higher pitched. It is not coming from the turbocharger - that sound of the turbocharger is different. My noise is definetely wind related. It could be due to aerodynamics around the mirror - maybe i should try moving the mirror while driving at 40+ mph? but then again this sound is only on the driver's side. It could be coming through the vent from engine compartment although my ears point up to the door...
it's not that big of an issue, but considering that i drove an 10K car before getting a Volvo, for 7 years and i wasn't even aware that issues like this still exist in modern cars: weren't they solved long ago before I was born???
but i still love the car and would buy it all over again!!!

[Demian]

Thanks everyone for the prompt and honest responses. I guess I'm just a little nervous because the car I drive is perfectly fine, so spending 30,000 USD on a car that I don't really need and that may turn out to be troublesome may not seem like such a good idea.

But I did take a C30 for a test drive this weekend and loved it! I'm also considering an Audi A3 or BMW 1-series but I think the C30 seems like the best of the 3.

As long as we're on the subject, is the leaking problem also affecting only a small portion of c30 drivers?

Thanks again everyone!

[C30Fez]

Hi Demian...I just posted about this on the leaking link, but if you buy a car made after week 36 of 2007 the problem has been fixed, and if it was made before that they now know how to fix it.