[PChem]

Currently own a 2004 6MT ZHP convertible and using iPhone app sound meter am getting around 78 dB at 70 mph with the top down. The iPhone is in a holder at the center A/C vent and could be under-reporting the dB versus the noise level at my ears. The noise climbs into the low 80 dBs at 75 mph. As 75 mph is the norm for Interstates, am concerned about my ears when enjoying life with the top down. http://www.healthyhearing.com/conten...s-hearing-loss

For those of you who previously owned E46 convertibles and now own 2-Series convertibles (and have good, unbiased memories), is the 2-Series about the same top down noise or improved?

[PChem]

Here's a second question to convertible owners, do you use ear plugs or earbuds when driving with the top down to hold the dB down or additionally, in the case of the earbuds, to hear music/speak on the phone?

[Grentz]

Most of the noise is going to be road noise. Dont really see how the model of car makes much difference. On a freeway at 70mph is loud...tires, other traffic, wind.

[B_Rice]

I've never had a chance to drive a e46 cab, but from my experiences in a s2000. And roadster/convertible is going to be pretty loud above 70 mph. Did you measure the DBs with your rear wind deflector deployed?

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by PChem

Here's a second question to convertible owners, do you use ear plugs or earbuds when driving with the top down to hold the dB down or additionally, in the case of the earbuds, to hear music/speak on the phone?

I have tinnitus in both ears. So they are already damaged from being in the service. We do not wear any ear protection. The only thing that really bothers me are loud motorcycles.

[PChem]

Yes, have a wind screen. Methinks the road noise fraction does not increase dB with increasing speed as much as does the wind energy component aspect. Am basing that on how power has to increase non-linearly to overcome air resistance with increasing speed: http://phors.locost7.info/phors06.htm

This would indicate the more aerodynamic the car with the top down, the quieter dB reading. So back to the original question: can former E46 convertible owners here that now own a 2-Series convertible tell us if the 2-Series is louder, same or quieter than their E46 cabrio?

[simoneves]

I would think you'd need to take an average of measurements from various corresponding places around the cabin to get a true comparison. The resonance of engine and road noise, not to mention wind turbulence across the microphone, could be wildly different between the two cars at that particular position, and could be wildly different again from where your ears actually are.

[ORIGIN M.]

Wind blocker in place stereo up free from restrictions.

Do not overanalyze it, focus on the horizon.

[Cyberdemon]

I have noticed days when my hearing in my right ear feels worse from driving in the convertible.

Do you ride with the windows down or up?

With the windows up, the wind blocker in place it generally is not too bad, but I have a ~40 minute commute on a highway that's full of trucks, and those can be much too loud along with motorcycles.

I've considered leaving an ear plug in the cup holder, but haven't gotten that far.

If you haven't already, roll the windows up and turn the music down. Driving slower will obviously greatly reduce the wind noise as well.

My hearing in general has come back after a night or two. Based on that article you need 3+ hrs of exposure for it to be problematic. I'm also very tall (6'4) so my head sticks up higher in the car than most. I would imagine the lower you sit in the car the less wind noise you will get.

[PChem]

Yes, I can see see where a taller person would be subjected to more noise. The dB meter went into the high 90s whenever large trucks or motorcycles are in the next lane.

Regarding suggestion about the radio, trying to listen to the radio at 70 - 75 mph with the top down jacked the dB up another 5 - 8 dB and well into the mid-to-high 80s, a lot of sound energy for my aging ears. Hence the question about earbuds for listening to music while keeping out the surrounding wind noise. My guess is earbuds themselves would contribute to high dB at the ear drum in that situation as the music would have to overcome the wind noise. Maybe all this is moot information as we enjoy top down driving in neighborhood settings more so than on the interstate.

In the meantime, I ordered these ear plugs for my bride and I to use on a future 3 hour trip to the beach. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks to everyone for this info.

[rainfall]

I use ear plugs like these a lot. Drive safely

[Glamdring]

I had an E46 vert, and I think my m235i vert is much quieter with the top down. I felt like I always needed the windscreen in the old car, and I've only ever used it once in the new car.

My hunch has been that the higher door sills and more robust headrests and seatbacks eliminate a lot of the wind.

The only time I cringe is when I'm on the highway and wind up next to a large truck. Then it's time to accelerate away.

[PChem]

Glamdring, thanks for this comparison information. You can probably tell I'm looking for a good excuse to buy a 2-Series convertible. How does your 2-series interior noise compare to your e46 with the top up?

[Glamdring]

To me, no noticeable difference in interior noise between my m235 and the old 3er. Except for the pumped in engine noise, which I personally like.

[dah]

It is significantly quieter than my S2000 with tops up - that top had no insulation. Top down, other car noise in unavoidable. With the windscreen in place, you can have normal conversation.

[Elvisfan]

You shouldn't be thinking about a convertible if you're concerned about wind noise. The other noises. Trucks and motorcycles are the concerns. Those can be bad in a convertible or any car with the windows down. My convertibles with the top down have all been quieter then my wife's SUV with the sun roof open.

[lajollabeach]

Originally Posted by PChem

Currently own a 2004 6MT ZHP convertible and using iPhone app sound meter am getting around 78 dB at 70 mph with the top down. The iPhone is in a holder at the center A/C vent and could be under-reporting the dB versus the noise level at my ears. The noise climbs into the low 80 dBs at 75 mph. As 75 mph is the norm for Interstates, am concerned about my ears when enjoying life with the top down. http://www.healthyhearing.com/conten...s-hearing-loss

For those of you who previously owned E46 convertibles and now own 2-Series convertibles (and have good, unbiased memories), is the 2-Series about the same top down noise or improved?

These comments relate to wind noise and turbulence, not road/traffic noise. I had an e46 convertible and now I have a 228. With the top down and no wind deflector, the 228 is quieter. Using the wind deflector the e46 was quieter.

With the e46, flipping the wind deflector up made a huge difference in sound level and especially air movement. 228 flipping the deflector up makes a noticeable difference but not night and day like the e46. With the deflectors down the 228 is quieter and calmer than the e46. However with deflectors up the e46 was quieter. Not hard to understand why: the e46 defector was much bigger - both width and height. I have not had the e46 for about 12 years. But I just sold my e36 and those same differences are noticeable. I think the e46 was a bit noisier with screen up than the e36.

BTW I have tried a number of noise measurement apps on my Android and find a lot of variation in the reported db levels.

[lajollabeach]

Originally Posted by Elvisfan

You shouldn't be thinking about a convertible if you're concerned about wind noise. The other noises. Trucks and motorcycles are the concerns. Those can be bad in a convertible or any car with the windows down. My convertibles with the top down have all been quieter then my wife's SUV with the sun roof open.

My e46 & e36es w/ deflectors were quieter than my SUV w/ sunroof open.

[DF]

Originally Posted by PChem

Here's a second question to convertible owners, do you use ear plugs or earbuds when driving with the top down to hold the dB down or additionally, in the case of the earbuds, to hear music/speak on the phone?

I've never worn them. I'm confused why someone would

[RitaClark]

Originally Posted by PChem

Here's a second question to convertible owners, do you use ear plugs or earbuds when driving with the top down to hold the dB down or additionally, in the case of the earbuds, to hear music/speak on the phone?

https://toppctech.com/best-bass-earbuds-under-50/ Check this guide..

[wichitagreg]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

I have noticed days when my hearing in my right ear feels worse from driving in the convertible.

Do you ride with the windows down or up?

With the windows up, the wind blocker in place it generally is not too bad, but I have a ~40 minute commute on a highway that's full of trucks, and those can be much too loud along with motorcycles.

I've considered leaving an ear plug in the cup holder, but haven't gotten that far.

If you haven't already, roll the windows up and turn the music down. Driving slower will obviously greatly reduce the wind noise as well.

My hearing in general has come back after a night or two. Based on that article you need 3+ hrs of exposure for it to be problematic. I'm also very tall (6'4) so my head sticks up higher in the car than most. I would imagine the lower you sit in the car the less wind noise you will get.

That temporary loss of hearing is leaving behind permanent hearing loss and tinnitus. And the effects are cumulative. If you do anything and afterward your hearing is diminished a little you are hurting your ears in a non-reversible way.


https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-...s/syc-20350156