Wind noise - A4/Passat/Mondeo/Octavia - ???

whoami1

I am thinking of scrapping my aging 406. I want a manual diesel with climate control and have decided that it will be a '03-'04 A4/Passat/Mondeo/Octavia, which will probably be imported.

Several review sites have said that the Passat is not a real 'drivers car' and doesn't come close to the Mondeo.

However, my biggest concern is that my 406 has a very irritating whistle from the wind when driving at anything over about 50-60kph.

Which of the 4 mentioned above has the least wind noise and road noise?

kwalshe

My last car was a Passat and I absolutely hated it from day one. A fast and good looking car but just not satisfying to drive. In terms of noise , I don't remember it being an issue. Quiet enough engine.

My current 09 Mondeo TDCi 1.8 diesel estate is a absolutly great car, handles and drives like a dream , great response and feel but only downsize is power. Lacks enough to easily overtake but I sometimes like that too because it makes me a more realxed driver. It sounds like a massive big tractor though, but not over 50-60 kph...

dobsdave

kwalshe wrote: »

My last car was a Passat and I absolutely hated it from day one. A fast and good looking car but just not satisfying to drive. In terms of noise , I don't remember it being an issue. Quiet enough engine.

My current 09 Mondeo TDCi 1.8 diesel estate is a absolutly great car, handles and drives like a dream , great response and feel but only downsize is power. Lacks enough to easily overtake but I sometimes like that too because it makes me a more realxed driver. It sounds like a massive big tractor though, but not over 50-60 kph...

So it sounds like a tractor and your already resigned to not being able to overtake when you need to! Not much of an ad for the mondeo!
Seriously, Ive had old passat, and the new one.
No issue with excessive road noise. Great cars in my opinion.

Biro

The Octavia is in a class below, I'd drop it from that line up. The A4 is in the class above, although doesn't feel like it, it'll be more expensive than the other two and smaller, so I'd also drop that to be honest.
If you're going for a Passat, I'd either go for a 2 litre diesel in the new B6 model, came out in 2005, or I wouldn't bother. That leaves the Mondeo, which in your years is the old model. It's a fine handling car, middling interior, middling diesel engines. If I were you I'd try to find the 2.2 Mondeo with 155bhp. I'd avoid the 1.8 diesel. So either go for the 2.0 or 2.2 Mondeo or the 2.0 B6 Passat. The VAG were always excellent for noise supression (partially cause the 1.9TDi was so loud they had to insulate the crap out of the engine bay )
I'd throw an Accord diesel into the mix too. The Superb is a comfortable car for the money, but based on the B5.5 Passat means poor driving dynamics and that old 1.9 TDi. Reliable, but unrefined both in sound and power delivery.
I'd much sooner a Mazda 6 diesel over a Mondeo diesel, as the Mazda matches the Mondeo for handling, and looks better, although people will be on here soon with horror stories involving Mazda's 2 litre diesel engine.

BlackWizard

Is the Mazda diesel reliable? I thought it was meant to be a money pit.

I drive a 1.9TDi passat. It's not the best driving experience in the world. But its very comfortable and just loves being on the motorway. But when cornering keep the window up in case you fall out or it rolls over But the cabin is a very comfortable place to be.

If I could switch, I would not go near a new Passat. So I'd be looking into a Accord or Mondeo.

Anan1

whoami1 wrote: »

However, my biggest concern is that my 406 has a very irritating whistle from the wind when driving at anything over about 50-60kph.

There's something wrong with your car, I had a 406 and it was quiet up to 160+km/h. An 03-04 Passat/Octavia won't be anything like as nice to drive, a Mondeo will be better but i'd still take the 406 above any of them.

DUBLINHITMAN

wind deflectors on cars make that whistling noise if not fitted properly

mcwhirter

You could always try the rover 75 with the very quiet bmw diesel engine, if you don't mind the pipe and slippers image.

Bluefoam

What about an Alfa 159 1.8 petrol or 1.9 diesel. The Sunday times reviewed them as a second hand purchase at the weekend and they didn't have a negative word to say. In fact they raved about them...

Mr Benevolent

Why not just get a 407? Or a Rover 75, they're very quiet.

cashmni1

I had a 01 406 before and I have a 04 Passat now. The 406 was much quieter than the Passat is now. You might have a loose rubber or something. Either way, test drive each car, at speed and see for yourself what the wind noise is like.
Mondeo would be the drivers car, I would avoid the VAG stuff, they are terrible to drive and eat suspension parts.

colm_mcm

old model Mazda6 is to be avoided.

whoami1

Confab wrote: »

Why not just get a 407? Or a Rover 75, they're very quiet.

I know it's a matter of personal taste, but I think the 407 looks appalling.

Thanks to all for the suggestions. After further discussions this evening, I might be staying with the 406 after all and getting the wind whistle investigated and removed.

bazz26

The 407 is nowhere near as good to drive as the 406. The Mondeo is the best driver's car of the OP's list. I like Fords but from experience of owning a Focus cabin soundproofing or insulation is not one of their strong points.

jonjo81

Hi guys first time poster!

I had a '01 406 and now own a '07 highline passat.

The 406 was quiet, creak free, rode well, and was agile enough even if it did tend to understeer.

My passat has bad road noise (prob tyes), and the FSI engine sounds like it's in the cab with you (DI engines are louder though). None of this would bother me were it not for the f**king cabin creaking like an old ship on anything but a perfect road. The noise absolutely ruins the car for me and seriously I'd advise anyone to thoroughly check the car out if they're thinking of buying one...

peace out