Noise levels?

[Naresh]

Hi I was wondering which model out of the 1.8 and 2.2 diesel was quietest in the cabin whilst motorway cruising? Perhaps you could compare it with another car you've driven before? The problem is that my wife suffers alot from migraines and any motorway journey can be uncomfortable from excessive wind, road and engine noise!

So is the new civic generally a quiet car when cruising, and if so which of the 2 models is quieter in the cabin?

[elfa7]

Depending on the road surface, I find the diesel pretty quiet at 70 mph. Its only pulling approx. 2000 revs.

[TTDegs]

tyres and wheel size will make a big difference.

Go for the 16 or 17" and use GoodYears

I find the 2.2 pretty quiet at motorway speeds, but last drove the 1.8 over a year ago (test drive) and can't recall if it was quieter or not sorry.

Good excuse for you to have a couple of test drives though!

[FWH]

I´d say noisier than my Mercedes, but still not bad.

Engine noise is ok due to the relativly low revs, so it comes down to road noise which does relate to tire choice. In the past I have experienced quite surprising noise changes when changing tires on other cars.

[Charles_Harding]

Just go for the petrol.

That diesel sounds like a diesel, especially on start up!

Put your foot down and the 1.8 purrs!

"People often ask how Lady H. and I have survived such a long marriage.
Simple really, we go out twice a week to some very good restaurants.

She goes Mondays, I go Thursdays!"

Charles H.

[Bungle]

I don't think the engine will make much difference. At 70mph in my 1.8, I can barely hear the (nice sounding!) engine. Most of the noise in the cabin is road noise from the tyres, and a bit of wind rushing round the car. Hmm, that sounds a bit wrong, maybe I should re-phrase that...

[czechplastik]

Originally Posted by Bungle

and a bit of wind rushing round the car. Hmm, that sounds a bit wrong, maybe I should re-phrase that...

Too late! The 2.2 is pretty hushed at motorway speeds, main noise is wind and road.

[Brodick]

you really need to take both out on a test drive

I would say that the two are very similar at 70mph
the main noise is road noise as they are so quiet

[WavyD]

Originally Posted by Bungle

a bit of wind rushing round the car.

I had the same trouble the other day. Sorted it out with Windeez! Funny enough the odd smell went away also!

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Charles_Harding

Just go for the petrol.

That diesel sounds like a diesel, especially on start up!

Put your foot down and the 1.8 purrs!

"People often ask how Lady H. and I have survived such a long marriage.
Simple really, we go out twice a week to some very good restaurants.

She goes Mondays, I go Thursdays!"

Charles H.

It really doesn't sound like a diesel once you have move off Charles, it is the nicest sounding diesel I have ever heard.

No, of course I'm not biased - would I let a simple little thing like owning a diesel model colour my judgement?

Anthony.

[pcr]

Mines a 1.8. For comparison, it's about the same as a Corolla, and a good bit more noisy than a Seat Leon.

[Charles_Harding]

Originally Posted by Anthony

It really doesn't sound like a diesel once you have move off Charles, it is the nicest sounding diesel I have ever heard.

No, of course I'm not biased - would I let a simple little thing like owning a diesel model colour my judgement?

Anthony.

Colour your judgement?

You've got a NHB one!

That's complete lack of colour to start with!

Up the Reds!

(Waits for brickbats to begin!)

"I was so ugly my father used the picture that came with his wallet to show to his friends!"

Charles H.

[Pottsy]

Originally Posted by Naresh

So is the new civic generally a quiet car when cruising, and if so which of the 2 models is quieter in the cabin?

In a steady cruise, you can't really hear either engine. As has been said, tyre size and make makes a huge difference. Goodyear will be quieter, but the main factor is width. The narrower, the quieter.

If you do spend a while on the motorway, the diesel is the obvious choice. There is a significant performance difference between the 2.2 and 1.8 in sixth at motorway speeds, with the diesel offering about 30% to 40% more acceleration. For the petrol to provide similar performance, you need to change down and rev it. There is no need to change down with the diesel, so the overall perception is of a more relaxed and quieter drive.

If you don't spend much time on the motorway and only do a small mileage, then the 1.8 is probably better, due to its lower initial purchase price (although the diesel fuel running costs are cheaper, this is offset by higher servicing costs). It does not benefit from the balancer shaft of the diesel, but still drives nice and smoothly.

Hope this helps.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Charles_Harding

Colour your judgement?

You've got a NHB one!

That's complete lack of colour to start with!

Up the Reds!

(Waits for brickbats to begin!)

"I was so ugly my father used the picture that came with his wallet to show to his friends!"

Charles H.

No brickbats Charles... we are all "zutti" now after all!

Are you coming to TC's Mad Hatters Tea Party on the 5th August by any chance?

Anthony.

[Charles_Harding]

Sorry.

Got that wedding in Corfu.

Get shot if I missed that.

I've got the cheque book!

"Any kid will run an errand for you.
Just ask at bedtime!"

Charles H.

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by Charles_Harding

Sorry.

Got that wedding in Corfu.

Get shot if I missed that.

I've got the cheque book!

"Any kid will run an errand for you.
Just ask at bedtime!"

Charles H.

Corfu or West London? Even as a Londoner myself I can see it is a no-brainer. Enjoy the sunshine...

Anthony.

[allan79]

i just got back from corfu a couple of weeks ago god it was hot 42 43 and even a earth quake