Topic

By: rich_y2
Posts: 8
Joined: 21/11/11

Wind noise/buffeting?

Posted: Nov 21 2011 Views: 255

Hi,

I'm new to MX-5 ownership having bought a Sport Black last month. Generally I'm absolutely loving it (apart from having a bad back for 2 weeks of my 4 week ownership and not being able to drive it... typical!). Anyway, I bought this as a pre-reg from a dealer up in Scotland (a couple of hundred miles away) as it was a great deal so I bought it without test driving this particular car, altho it only had 15 miles on it and had only been registered and parked inside the dealer showroom for a couple of weeks so basically it was new.

Anyway on the drive home and since I think it had far greater wind noise than the 18 month old Sport Tech I had test driven the previous week although I'm not sure if a) I didn't go fast enough on the motorway to detect it and b) I was grinning so much whilst enjoing the test drive that I missed it. But I do find mine on the motorway (mainly due to the speed) has what I'd describe as external wind noise or buffeting that is quite noticeable above say 65 mph (with the top up just in case anyone suggests it's normal with the top down!). I don't detect any actual drafts around the window (seems perhaps a touch worse on the drivers side although still notice it when I passenger) and it doesn't leak having given it a bit of a test with the hosepipe over the weekend. So I guess it's more to do with the seals and panels that the wind passes over, or maybe the mirror - it may be completely normal?

I've read the other entry about a booming noise, yes I have that but I'd put it completely down to tyre noise and the Bridgestones it has come on, I've run these tyres on other cars previously and I'd say they are a noisey tyre for sure - but that thread mentions nothing about wind noise and I'd say it's more intrusive (for me) than the boominess. All the seals look the same and no obvious gap - I am getting used to it, had a good run this weekend down to Birmingham on the motorway and back on the a roads, love it!

Anyway, enough of the negative, picture (phone camera sorry) attached because I love looking at it - it certainly gets plenty of looks on the roads/motorway, I guess because it's green...

Replies

RE: Wind noise/buffeting?

Fabulous colour - I was really torn between the green and the white. Could have gone either way and been happy I think. They did have a green one as the shrowroom car in Bath and from an initial "OMG no way" it has really grown on me.

I've just driven mine some 300 miles over the weekend, mostly top down. Today though top up as it was windy and raining. The M5 from Bristol to Taunton gets a lot of cross winds.

I didn't find the buffeting to be any worse than the Mk3 Sport.

As for noise I'm finding it remarkably quiet! I'm probably not the one to address this though as I had a RoadsterSport exhaust on the last one so anything will be quiet in comparison. Undecided whether or not to put a sports exhaust on this one at the present time. I think I'll wait until I get passed the initial running in and see what the sound enhancer does on hard acceleration.

I am missing the patter of rain on canvas though and the soft "flapping" noise the folded soft top made when it caught the wind.

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not, no explanation will suffice

Posted: Nov 21 2011 By: dragonsoup Posts: 3840
Wind noise/buffeting?

21/11/2011 04:24:59, rich_y2 said:
"
Hi,

I'm new to MX-5 ownership having bought a Sport Black last month. Generally I'm absolutely loving it (apart from having a bad back for 2 weeks of my 4 week ownership and not being able to drive it... typical!). Anyway, I bought this as a pre-reg from a dealer up in Scotland (a couple of hundred miles away) as it was a great deal so I bought it without test driving this particular car, altho it only had 15 miles on it and had only been registered and parked inside the dealer showroom for a couple of weeks so basically it was new.

Anyway on the drive home and since I think it had far greater wind noise than the 18 month old Sport Tech I had test driven the previous week although I'm not sure if a) I didn't go fast enough on the motorway to detect it and b) I was grinning so much whilst enjoing the test drive that I missed it. But I do find mine on the motorway (mainly due to the speed) has what I'd describe as external wind noise or buffeting that is quite noticeable above say 65 mph (with the top up just in case anyone suggests it's normal with the top down!). I don't detect any actual drafts around the window (seems perhaps a touch worse on the drivers side although still notice it when I passenger) and it doesn't leak having given it a bit of a test with the hosepipe over the weekend. So I guess it's more to do with the seals and panels that the wind passes over, or maybe the mirror - it may be completely normal?

I've read the other entry about a booming noise, yes I have that but I'd put it completely down to tyre noise and the Bridgestones it has come on, I've run these tyres on other cars previously and I'd say they are a noisey tyre for sure - but that thread mentions nothing about wind noise and I'd say it's more intrusive (for me) than the boominess. All the seals look the same and no obvious gap - I am getting used to it, had a good run this weekend down to Birmingham on the motorway and back on the a roads, love it!

Anyway, enough of the negative, picture (phone camera sorry) attached because I love looking at it - it certainly gets plenty of looks on the roads/motorway, I guess because it's green...

"

I do love the green, both this and the white are a breath of fresh air to the Maz colour range. Need to add these colours or of this ilk to the standard range.

Where about in our large and beautiful country did you get the deal? Might be useful for others currently on the looky.

In ardua nitor.

Posted: Nov 21 2011 By: steveti Posts: 2461
RE: Wind noise/buffeting?

Oooh verrrry nice! I saw one in green a couple of months ago when mine was in for the 4 year service.

I don't know about buffeting but there's also a thread about sound deadening the boot to get rid of the booming which may be of interest. The thought being that the boot is pretty tinny and amplifies any road noise pumping it straight into the cabin.

Posted: Nov 21 2011 By: Godders Posts: 57
RE: Wind noise/buffeting?

Cheers, I suspect it's as good as it gets and/or I'm being overly picky. I can live with the boominess until the tyres are due a swap and I might try a different brand.

I live near Blackburn but picked the car up from Macklin Motors in Hamilton (Glasgow), a really nice dealership to deal with as it turned out (as well as being the best price I could find), certainly worth the 400 mile rround trip. It was advertised on Pistonheads.

This last weekend has been my first decent run in it and I'm loving it and even find it a remarkable good cruiser on the motorway. I am considering the different springs for it, having come from a very track focused hot hatch (Clio Cup) it does feel a tad soft although I don't really want it any lower and any hassle with speed bumps etc. I'll leave it for now and get used to what it can do before jumping to any modification conclusions. The sport exhaust sounds an interesting option as well.

For now I'll spend my cash on more hats so I can enjoy some winter sun motoring with the top down.

Posted: Nov 21 2011 By: rich_y2 Posts: 8
RE: Wind noise/buffeting?

21/11/2011 05:43:25, dragonsoup said:
"
I am missing the patter of rain on canvas though and the soft "flapping" noise the folded soft top made when it caught the wind.
"

Lol....Your weird! ....

Garffey.

My mother said.."Nivver do owt fer now't, an if tha' do, do it fer thissen!"

True red 07 2.0 Mk3 Sport RC....Miltek, K&N, I.L cubby, compulsory 'Oakers' sticker, variable wiper & a few chrome bits.

Posted: Nov 22 2011 By: Garffey Posts: 3156
RE: Wind noise/buffeting?

I do love that Spirited Green
and i would love the decals on all of them as well

Zoom Zoom

Get an MX5 LIFE
"You shall rue this day. Well ... go on... start rueing!" ~ SG
Wave to ALL other 5 owners! It's the MX5 law.

STORM 1.8 Racing Beat backbox, K&N Filter Panel & Eibached, Zunsported and Winter Tyred ~ deTangoed
WiMed on 15.04.11

Posted: Nov 23 2011 By: VO5 Jo Posts: 6280
RE: Wind noise/buffeting?

21/11/2011 10:19:51, rich_y2 said:
"
I am considering the different springs for it, having come from a very track focused hot hatch (Clio Cup) it does feel a tad soft although I don't really want it any lower and any hassle with speed bumps etc. I'll leave it for now and get used to what it can do before jumping to any modification conclusions. The sport exhaust sounds an interesting option as well.
"

I have had the lowering springs fitted to both this and my old Mk3. It makes a big difference cosmetically but also reduces the body roll considerably if you are intending throwing it around corners!

I haven't had any real trouble with speed bumps with one or two exceptions which were unoffical ones on private land. These have required some degree of care but provided they are taken slowly and at an angle I've been OK.

More of a problem is "off road" use but again apart from one scare I've been OK. If you don't intend to use yours off road then it isn't going to be an issue. Sometimes I do think a 4WD would be more sensible but not half as much fun!

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not, no explanation will suffice

Posted: Nov 23 2011 By: dragonsoup Posts: 3840
RE: Wind noise/buffeting?

23/11/2011 11:23:29, dragonsoup said:
"
21/11/2011 10:19:51, rich_y2 said:
"
I am considering the different springs for it, having come from a very track focused hot hatch (Clio Cup) it does feel a tad soft although I don't really want it any lower and any hassle with speed bumps etc. I'll leave it for now and get used to what it can do before jumping to any modification conclusions. The sport exhaust sounds an interesting option as well.
"

I have had the lowering springs fitted to both this and my old Mk3. It makes a big difference cosmetically but also reduces the body roll considerably if you are intending throwing it around corners!

I haven't had any real trouble with speed bumps with one or two exceptions which were unoffical ones on private land. These have required some degree of care but provided they are taken slowly and at an angle I've been OK.

More of a problem is "off road" use but again apart from one scare I've been OK. If you don't intend to use yours off road then it isn't going to be an issue. Sometimes I do think a 4WD would be more sensible but not half as much fun!
"

Yup, got to agree on this. Having had the 'standard' -30mm Eibachs fitted to my current 3.5 RC and my previous Mk3 Ragtop, I have encountered no issues with the so called standard speedbumps that are littered in great numbers around our town.

In ardua nitor.

Posted: Nov 23 2011 By: steveti Posts: 2461
RE: Wind noise/buffeting?

Thanks for the feedback, I'm very tempted with the springs, just one other practical thing... as a big bloke (wide and tall!!) it's a long way down to the seat as it is, another 30mm lower might be a bit far lol, and to manage to get back up/out elegantly haha. But at the moment it does still feel like it could be a bit 'sharper' feeling, maybe a geometry check up might be worth it first, or maybe stop messing about and just get both done in one go.

Cheers, Rich

Posted: Nov 23 2011 By: rich_y2 Posts: 8
RE: Wind noise/buffeting?

Most of the original MK3s benefit from a geo tweak ( see thread in Mk3 forum). Mine certainly did. I'm not sure if the 3.5 has the same issues?

Having said that the dealer that supplied mine automatically gets the geo done when fitting lowering springs so mine has been adjusted.

It is also worth checking your tyre pressures even if they have been ticked off on the PDI.... which I haven't yet done I admit. Job for the weekend.

For those who understand, no explanation is needed. For those who do not, no explanation will suffice

Posted: Nov 23 2011 By: dragonsoup Posts: 3840