A lot of noisy gravel getting kicked around
 

Hey, all. Owner of a shiny new Z here. :tup:

Having come from a very old sedan I'm probably not used to the noises a real sports car makes, but I hear a lot of rocks and gravel bouncing around when taking certain roads, particularly when I'm first pulling out. I realize this car has much larger tires and is a lot closer to the ground, but I'm just a bit paranoid.

Is this something that's common with sports cars, or am I just imagining things?

totally normal. just drive faster and you wont notice it.

It's normal for 370Z but not for all sport cars.

I know it's a horrible noise... sounds alot worse than it is. Big rear tires + big rear fenders = loud gravel

yeah its pretty damn loud in there, especially when it's raining. Nice to hear at times...just crank up the music if you want to drown it out

Not too big a deal but I wish they would have done something to insulate the fenders a little more. 350s are like this too.

Ah, that's good to know. Thanks.

It doesn't bother me per se, it just sounded odd and I got a little worried. :)

Yeah I was worried about this too at first, it's normal though. My wheelwell liners look like they've been sand blasted, lol.

You'll get used to it. Not sure if it's common on sports cars though. The rear wheel well is all metal connected to the frame and there are no plastic covers like you'll find in the front.

i lined my rear wheel wells with nerf. works like a charm :P

One of the primary goals of the designers was weight reduction. There is no sound insulation in the wheel wells. There are threads on the forum that detail DIYs on installing sound deadening materials.

nerf? like the footballs? pics?

The noise always makes me cringe just a little..bothers me that rocks are marring the underside of my car even when I can't see it. It does sound worse than it probably is..it seems even the smallest pebbles make LOUD noises!

Two words: Sticky Tires

I had heard about this issue before I bought my Z, but, man it is noisy (see "Top Gear" episode on the Nissan 370Z vs BMW Z4 below, Jeremy Clarkson talks about it). It does qiuet down a LITTLE bit, when some of the road crap gets build up on the fender wells, but is due to no noise insulation to save weight as previously mentioned. It is a bit anoying, but I've gotten used to it now.

I've almost gotten to like it a bit, makes me realize that it's a car that was built for speed and handling, NOT quiet luxury. If you want quiet luxury, get a Lexus.

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The Quest Continues...
 

<a target="_NEW" href="http://www.the370z.com/members/pushing_tin.html">Pushing_Tin (PT)</a> was the first to ask this question, and ever since there has been a group trying to pursue a solution. PT had thought that <a target="_NEW" href="http://www.linex.com/">Line-X</a> might work so I took the Z in to have them take look. Two things: 1) The estimate they quoted me was expensive, and 2) they stated that they were unsure of the noise reduction (they said some) as the Line-X material itself dries very hard. A forum vendor, <a target="_NEW" href="http://www.the370z.com/second-skin-automotive-insulation/">Second Skin</a> is working up a comprehensive solution, and I might be interested in their Spectrum Sludge for the wheel wells.

The <a target="_NEW" href="http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/top-2005-Mazda-RX-8-SHINKA-Special-Edition.htm">Mazda Shinka RX-8</a> had a felt lining in the wheel wells to stop the noise.

Yes, I've read this many times here, and elsewhere around the net. However, there are those of us who prefer the 370Z for other reasons and were captivated by this latest styling. This is where Nissan has failed with its North American model. The 2009 JDM model has many a feature that my wife and I would like: Electrically folding and heated mirrors, additional interior lighting, front and rear cameras, etc. Another aspect is that we would much prefer going to an Infiniti dealer for service versus a Nissan dealer (although I would still like find a good Nissan dealer in SoCal). There are the true hardcore owners (a handful of members here I respect and follow) that use the Z to its full potential and have built theirs for the track.

With this model Nissan opened its market to a larger social/economic customer base (whether they planned it or not) and Nissan's future Z sales will depend on how they cater to their expanded market. Maybe my wife and I would like to drive to each and every State in the Continental US of A. And maybe we wish to do in the Grand Touring style versus the racing to every stoplight style. Lastly, please don't tell me what to purchase...I'll purchase whatever I damn well please for whatever reason I damn well please. I also want tell you what to purchase. Deal?

i was kidding haha, but it'd be a good idea right? i mean, all that's needed is a thin foam liner that keeps the rocks from hitting the wells. it wouldn't add a huge amount either. the Z has very sticky tires (just look at how many pebbles are stuck to it when its parked one day) and it flings up everything. it'd be great if there was some sort of well lining that could do this.

SoCal, im with ya on the JDM features. The side mirrors i'm a little indifferent about, but i would love a backup camera. I know we have a few DIY's on this site that I've read, but I'm far too scared to attempt of that myself.

:iagree: Something relatively soft and pliable to absorb the impact of the rocks is in order but could still stand up to the wear. Maybe a thin foam rubber mat custom fitted and glued to the inner fender well?

Yeah something like that...i wonder if anyone has ever sprayed a few layers of rhino-lining on the inside of their wheel wells lol. i dont expect all the sound to go away, but it would be nice to kill some of it, at least soften the sound a bit so you dont get so much of the "pebbles rattled in a can" sound....

I pulled my spare tire and all the foam surrounding when I went to the track the other day. Now THAT was loud lol. Still didn't notice it once things got going though.

Y'all need to drive on cleaner roads..... I'm just sayin...

little difficult to do when there's snow and ice...takes forever to get rid of all the crap even after everything's melted...can't wait for the spring and summer when the roads are all clear.

or maybe i just need to live on a track.

You wanna hear something loud sit in your car with no radio or a/c when it's raining real hard. First time it happened I thought I was going to have some dings lol.

Adios fellas, and children

This forum is filled with too much sacasim for my tastes.

I'm going to :gtfo2: of here

Later rich! :hello:

Guess I missed the failings of others that irked you, although I don't see anything in this particular thread that should've.

holy crap yes! i've been in a few storms where i swear i heard something dent my Z hahaha.

The road noise doesnt bother me to much. Im not really too anal on it. I live in Las Vegas and the roads here are full of dirt and rocks. I simply just turn up the radio and it goes away. It is by all means a sports car.

i don't even

edit:

(inc nissan :nutswinger:)

I mean, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everything and I understand why you dislike the road noise, but...

It's a car that starts at $29,000 that focuses on performance. You could pin a lot of things on Nissan for the 370 -- some of the brake issues people had, the lack of an oil cooler, etc. -- but road noise? One of the big things that Nissan pushed as a selling point for the new Z was a reduction in weight. In order to keep the price low and the weight down I imagine that sound dampening material was one of the first things on the list. Not to mention... Infinity! I mean, the G37 is a luxury Z, pretty much.

Look at other similar cars that aim for performance in this price range or slightly higher. The Corvette comes to mind instantly. Even on the newer ones (and ZR1) the interior is just not up to par at all -- obviously because that was a secondary thought to GM when they designed it. Same to things closer to our range like the Evo X and STi. The thing is, the Z has better interiors than these cars -- and from personal experience in all three -- equal interior noise.

but tl;dr -- I can understand you not liking the road noise and thinking it is excessive, but I would hardly call it a failing.

Thats a little difficult when you live in the desert lol

My 370Z is REALLY a Sports Car...Yours is Not?
 

So you are basing your assumption that a 370Z need not be quiet, or it's not a sports car unless you can hear the debris hitting the rear wheel wells? Or weight?

Then kindly remove the following (as they do not constitute a sports car):
<ul>
<li>Passenger seat (not needed unless you have a passenger; you will not receive a ticket either—unless you take a passenger).</li>
<li>Door panels</li>
<li>Rear lid and back interior paneling</li>
<li>Interior lighting</li>
<li>Nav or stereo</li>
<li>AC (Leave the heater as you will have to have it to legally drive in cold weather regarding the visibility through the windows.)</li>
<li>Carpets</li>
<li>Headliner</li>
<li>Door kick plates</li>
<li>Electric windows (Convert to hand crank—much lighter in weight)</li>
<li>Replace the drivers seat because none the factory Nissan 370Z drivers seats have the proper bolstering to qualify for a true sports car.</li>
</ul>
The items above are convenience items and are not necessary for a sports car.
<ul>
<li>Remove the following appearance items (not necessary for a sports car:</li>
<li>Rim center caps</li>
<li>Cut the exhaust tips off</li>
<li>Throw away the engine plastic in the engine bay: covers etc.</li>
<li>Sidemarker lights</li>
<li>Burgers: front and rear</li>
</ul>
There is much more than can be dispensed with if you are qualifying the 370Z as a true sports car. Remove the items above and the 370Z will closer approach the true definition of a sports car.

Another route is to commission Mine's to actually make your 370Z into a real sports cars. (Mine's are more than qualified to do so. But I'm willing to bet that there only a handful here who can afford the price tag.)

So what was that definition of a sports car again? Thanks.

Don't straw man me, bro.

I simply said that the 370 was designed around a specific price point as a performance car. You have a complaint about the interior noise that a small but vocal number of people have, that's okay and I understand -- but to call it a failing? I think that is an exaggeration because of the type of car that it is.

I wasn't saying that sound dampening or any of the other things you listed ruin the sports car experience, either. While you were very clearly trying to be smug as you made that list, if Nissan left out some of those things in the name of price I probably would've been okay with it. I also sort of think it is funny that you equate a minor amount of tire noise on dirty roads with things like air conditioning.

I actually think Nissan should have released the Nismo as a bare-bones track version that had no stereo, lighter bucket seats, etc. I can understand why they didn't (cost/profitability) and I wouldn't call it a failing, though.

You missed that my reference regarded those who are now more oriented to convenience and who is willing to pay for it. This reaches out into areas such as a rear window wiper, heated mirrors (for those in increment weather here). Nissan did fail as there are those of us who would have willingly paid more for the extra goodies that we find appealing. They missed that market by country mile. Why is that Nissan JDM has more factory accessories than we do and the North American market doesn't?

Maybe the smaller minority is the mature minority that didn’t really have to purchase a 370Z but chose to do so? Nissan should be happy we were interested. I have not knocked those who wish to decrease the weight of their Z; race their Z; add glass-shattering stereos to their Z. Not something I am interested in any longer (and I have no problem telling that to their face) but they are happy with doing so, and I'm happy for them. People have mentioned that they would enjoy less wheel well road debris noise and they are branded a minority of owners who do not understand sports cars or the premise of the Z? Well I'll be damned for being so out of place. Makes me regret actually purchasing a 240Z and a 280Z—when they were new. But then again, I'm in a minority.

This is something I've always wondered about, I will admit. I guess Americans don't order those options so it isn't worth it? I really have no idea.

Yeah the car is a noisey one. It's quite similar in a porsche 911 actually, you hear most things that happen to the tyre and if you're going over rough road there's a hefty roar in the cabin. The lotus's are no different either.

If you want a nice driving but refined car BMW's your best bet. The 1 series coupe, 3 series couple and Z4 are significantly more refined that the 370z but still give you a beautiful balanced rwd feel. In the US i hear the G37 would fit the bill as well, (we don't get it here down under). But anyway the BMW costs more, so all a weigh up really...

What's good is that when you see a 370z driver you know they didn't just buy the car for the style, they're true driving enthusiasts to be able to put up with the rawness of the vehicle.

I had a 350 and was nothing like the 370Z. I think the lack or little sound insulation on the wheel wells is the cause of the noise.

Anyway, I'm not complaining

The back wheel wells are in the cabin with you. Any car with that arrangement will be noisier - you'll hear a lot of stuff the tires pick up that you wouldn't notice otherwise. My wife's Miata is fairly loud - but because the back wheel wells are in the trunk, you don't hear all the stuff whacking around inside the fender.

What do you guys do? Just drive around with the stereo off looking for problems with the car?

Just put on a little Chevelle at 25 vol and no more problems. I've never heard any road noise in my car. I didn't even know it was a problem till I read this thread.

Seriously in the Z I like the way it sounds. I want to hear it. Love the car. I think some of you want to find issues with it. Hey if it makes you feel better.....

I don't see the problem in any case, just sell it and buy something else if you are unhappy. Nobody's holding a gun to your head to keep the car. Perhaps your next purchase you will be more careful during the test drive phase prior to plunking down the 40g's.

Mandates for Z Ownership? Or Please Someone Tell Me What I'm Allowed to Purchase!
 

You are in the market for a new home. You find the one you want, where you want, but the garage bay floors are not finished the way you would like, and the garage door openers are not belt drive with a battery backup for those times when power failures occur (plus, you like the quietness of belt drive openers). Do you keep looking until you find the house with the correct flooring, and garage door openers? Or do you implement the changes yourself because every other aspect of the home is to your satisfaction?

The OP was concerned about the noise and asked for feedback; others chimed in and said they were concerned too. Owners joined the forum to ascertain more about their Z and whether members are experiencing issues along their concerns too. Still others are looking for a solution to an issue that members might have found.

Now, I've gone ahead and bought my new home, but I change the flooring and garage door openers to suit my taste. Do my neighbors come and pay me a visit to chastise me for doing so because they don't think it was appropriate? It's my house and I'm paying for it, but WTH, my neighbors know better than I do (supposedly) what is right for me.

Maybe AK can settle this by categorizing what the criteria to be a the370z.com member is? If one of the criterion means that you are required to think like another member—because said member believes they have the universally correct definition of who should and should not buy/own a 370Z—then maybe some members do not belong here, and maybe some Premium Members need refunds?

And nobody held a gun to your head making it mandatory that you post on this thread either, or that you become a forum member (there are other forums out there) but you are a member here and you would think you can post at least something constructive. Yes? No? Maybe?

P.S. There are members who would believe that you did not buy a true 370Z sports car because yours is an automatic transmission.

Dude, total FAIL on the reply. The guy wasn't even talking to you, wtf??