Road Noise

All Volvo XC40 related discussions
Bradders
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2023 4:37 pm

Post by Bradders »

Bit of a tale this one, so I apologise for the long post, but about a month ago I decided to p/x my V90CC B5D against a 3 month old XC40 B4 Ultimate. I'd been moaning for months about how hard the ride in the CC was over the embarrassment that is the road condition in Leeds. My wife's 70 plate XC40 T3 is way more comfortable and I ended up driving hers most of the time, much to her annoyance. So I did the deed and picked up the B4 Ultimate from Chapmans in York at the beginning of July. All good for a couple of weeks and then I started noticing that my tinnitus (a legacy of playing bass in bands for years) was really playing up. Most of the time my brain zones it out but for the last couple of weeks it's been really evident. So I started looking for the culprit and have concluded that its my XC40. It has never been an issue in two years of driving my wife's car.

I did a couple of semi-scientific tests today, driving hers on a set route with a frequency analyser/noise meter app running on my iphone. I then did the same in mine. Both are on 19s with stock Continental EcoContact tyres. The results were quite clear that over a certain frequency band my car is noisier. I set about sticking a couple of extra psi in the tyres and wedging every dust sheet I have under the boot floor then ran the test again. It's improved slightly but still appreciably noiser. I've attached the two graphs for any data geeks that want to take a look - the problem area is the 500 to 4k band where the B4 is as much as 5 or 6 dBa louder than the T3. Given that perceived volume double avery 10dBa that's quite a lot.

It's really narking me that you pay 40k for a top of the range car and it's less comfortable to drive that it's older sibling, and I'm considering sending the car back under the terms of the Selekt 30 day exchange guarantee, but I'm also aware that it might be possible to have some sound deadening fitted (by the guys at NoiseKiller for example).

Does anyone have any experience of solving road noise issues in an XC40 or have any thoughts that might help?

And just for clarity, I was never expecting the XC40 to be as quiet overall as a V90, but I think it's a reasonable expectation for it to be as good as it's predecessors.

Thanks for sticking with reading my rant.

T3Noise.png

B4Noise.png

T3 R-Design, Fusion Red, Early 21 (hers). Fully loaded.
B4 Ultimate, Fjord Blue, Late 23 (mine).

Den48
Posts: 254
Joined: Sun Dec 20, 2020 10:13 pm

Post by Den48 »

Hi
I’ve had both a T3 and a B4 and didn’t notice any real difference with road noise or any other noise perhaps from the engine, one thought around early 21 models Volvo stopped fitting some under bonnet insulation to their cars , xc40 , so does your partners car have this under bonnet insulation fitted, if so, this may account for any different noise issues. Neither my T3 or B4 had the insulation fitted, I picked up my T3 in early March 21, and I apparently missed the fitting of the insulation by about a week.
T4 recharge, plus spec, 23my
ChrisLF
Posts: 1723
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2019 8:21 am
Location: Heart of England

Post by ChrisLF »

Interesting. I should imagine that your car is a bit heavier than your wifes which I'm guessing may have an impact on tyre noise. Is there any sound deadening under the bonnet on either car as this has been deleted in some cases.

Probably not practicable but it would be interesting to see what difference a change in tyres made.

Edit: overlapping posts as regards bonnet insulation.
2023 B4 Plus Dark FWD in Silver Dawn. Tinted Rear Windows. Spare Wheel & Tow Bar dealer fitted.

Gone - 2019 T4 R-Design FWD in Bursting Blue. Winter & Convenience Packs, Power Seat, Front Park Assist, Rear Camera, Spare Wheel & Tow Bar.
Bradders
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2023 4:37 pm

Post by Bradders »

one thought around early 21 models Volvo stopped fitting some under bonnet insulation to their cars
Is there any sound deadening under the bonnet on either car as this has been deleted in some cases
Thanks guys... I have just checked and indeed there is a distinct lack of sound deadening under the bonnet on the B4. The other car is at walking netball just at the moment so I can't check that, but in all the times I have filled up the washer bottle I never noticed a naked bonnet. Will check in the morning.
T3 R-Design, Fusion Red, Early 21 (hers). Fully loaded.
B4 Ultimate, Fjord Blue, Late 23 (mine).
JFDIT
Posts: 1508
Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2021 5:21 pm

Post by JFDIT »

My new 24MY B4 Ultimate is quieter than my 22MY B4 AWD Inscription Pro was. The latter had bonnet insulation, new one doesn't.
However, I'm now running 20" rims with Pirelli PZero PZ4s rather than the awful Continental Eco whatevers on 19" rims. Definitely less tyre noise and more comfortable. Which is surprising given the larger rims.

Q. Is the offending frequency present when the car is at standstill at say 2000rpm or just when on the move?
XC40 MY24 B4 Ultimate Dark, Black Leather, Crystal White, 20" Rims
Lincolnshire England.
ChrisLF
Posts: 1723
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2019 8:21 am
Location: Heart of England

Post by ChrisLF »

The B3 I saw in the showroom had EcoContact on and they even look horrible!

I've only ever had Contis on my TT and they're great but they are SportContact.
2023 B4 Plus Dark FWD in Silver Dawn. Tinted Rear Windows. Spare Wheel & Tow Bar dealer fitted.

Gone - 2019 T4 R-Design FWD in Bursting Blue. Winter & Convenience Packs, Power Seat, Front Park Assist, Rear Camera, Spare Wheel & Tow Bar.
Andy40
Posts: 500
Joined: Sat Mar 26, 2022 10:24 am

Post by Andy40 »

As above, the sound insulation under the bonnet is worth trying a swap over if you - before you look to buying a new one, just to make sure it’ll help.

The tyres can make a huge difference - I’ve always defaulted to Michelin and found them quiet and reliable - you say both 19” rims and same tyres - are they the exact same tyre ? Are the alloy wheels the same or different styles - again, wondering if it’s worth a swap over of wheels to try ?
Bradders
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2023 4:37 pm

Post by Bradders »

Andy40 wrote: Sat Jul 29, 2023 7:43 pm As above, the sound insulation under the bonnet is worth trying a swap over if you - before you look to buying a new one, just to make sure it’ll help.
Yeah that did occur to me yesterday. The T3 does have the pad and and it was simple enough to swap it in to the B4. It did make an improvement - not huge, but it’s small wins I guess. Now scouring the breakers to see if there’s a s/h one anywhere, but I suspect they’re in high demand so I may end up shelling out on a new one. I’m also going to try some ‘carlos fandango super thick’ aftermarket floor mats, and a boot liner.

Tyres are the same but slightly less worn, but the wheels are a different style. Am considering a swap to another brand of tyre but I may go the sound insulation route first, although I’ve just had one quote of £1300, so that may be off the cards. Waiting for another quote to come in!!
T3 R-Design, Fusion Red, Early 21 (hers). Fully loaded.
B4 Ultimate, Fjord Blue, Late 23 (mine).
eugen61
Posts: 1363
Joined: Sun May 10, 2020 7:33 am

Post by eugen61 »

Bradders wrote: Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:35 am The T3 does have the pad and and it was simple enough to swap it in to the B4. It did make an improvement - not huge, but it’s small wins I guess.
Your experiment proves that under bonnet insulation reduces dB level in the cabin. I assume dB increase is more perceivable in the T3 without the pad given the 3 cylinder engine’s noisier nature.
Bradders
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2023 4:37 pm

Post by Bradders »

eugen61 wrote: Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:43 am Your experiment proves that under bonnet insulation reduces dB level in the cabin. I assume dB increase is more perceivable in the T3 without the pad given the 3 cylinder engine’s noisier nature.

To be fair I didn’t bother testing the T3 again… just swapped the pad back so at least we have one car that’s quiet enough for me to drive, but I agree, you’d expect the T3 to be at least equivalently noisier.
T3 R-Design, Fusion Red, Early 21 (hers). Fully loaded.
B4 Ultimate, Fjord Blue, Late 23 (mine).
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