About to buy a 2012 370z - road noise improved?
 

I've driven about 5 or so different 370z's, all but one of which had the sports package. I think I've settled on a 2012 Z, with touring, sports, and nav.

Obviously, I've read all the reviews mentioning the abundance of road noise, but I didn't seem to have too much trouble during my test drives. That being said, I'm of course worried: maybe I just haven't hit the right road type, or maybe I've just been so fucosed evaluating other aspects of the car during the test drives, or maybe it's just something that the longer I have the more it will annoy me.

I did read somewhere that starting with the 2011 model year they added some sound insulation material. Does anybody know the details of this? Has anybody with 2011+ with sport packages had major gripes on the road noise?

I'm obviously not expecting luxury sedan levels of quietness, I just don't want something overbearing to the point where it detracts the fun of the car.

There's still a good amount of road noise. It used to bother me to the point where I considered installing some noise deadening insulation, but I guess I got used to it and it doesn't bother me anymore. I'm still very aware of the road noise.

I think installing noisier tires (Direzza Z2's) may have had something to do with accepting the road noise—just the fact that I knowingly chose to not mitigate the issue helped me recognize my priorities with this car.

You buy new tires, and install a nice exhaust, that takes away most of it.
THEN you can install sound deadening

Road noise is still there (I have a '13).

Waiting for these tires to wear and then we'll see if new ones make a difference (most likely will).

Conti DW for the win!

IF Road noise is you're only concern? You should NOT let this subjective issue sway you from enjoying it.

You'll get used to it, and will eventually not notice it with the windows down and radio blasting.

An aftermarket exhaust will further drown out what little noise there is.

I didn't notice much of a difference in road noise between my '10 and the '13 I test drove. I ended up putting down some sound deadener in the hatch and doors. It really helped eliminate the "hollowness" of the car. If you're looking for quiet, you might want to consider a G instead.

so you've driven a bunch of Z's and not found the noise
 

Here's my advice,
Don't let people talk you out of it. Keep driving! One day you will find that noise.

I too was worried about road noise after reading review after review gripe and moan about it. You can read countless other sports car reviews that have similar dB values (and even those far louder than the Z) and not a word is wasted crying about road noise - it's all part of the "rawness" of other particular cars, yet somehow it's a detriment to the Z.

When I ordered my '13 I was geared up to purchase a bunch of sound deadening materials, but once it arrived I was shocked at how civilized it was inside and held off.

My daily driver is a Mazda3, which isn't exactly quiet inside and was actually awful with the factory Goodyear Eagles - Continental DWS tires transformed that car, too.

Taking measurements with my cheapo SPL meter, my Z and Mazda3 are on par with each other (with the Mazda on Contis) except for on the worst pavement surfaces.

I am curious to see what Continentals do when the stock tires need replacing. If you do decide to use sound deadeners at some point, make sure to use the correct materials beyond just a dampening layer like dynamat - all it does its dampen vibrations but lacks the mass to actually knock down sound waves.

Agree - also, maybe you could try to meet up with some local owners (who have mods) and see what their cars sound like to give you an idea of what to expect in terms of noise levels.

Trip's post reminded me
 

There are people that want their car loud as hell, others driving with their ears close to the dash listening for noise.

After driving my 08 Z with test pipes & performance tires, my new 370 feels like I'm driving a luxury Infinity.

The only time the noise is too much is when I'm revving hard and someone else is on the phone, or having a conversation with my passenger. While alone I tend to enjoy it so much I do not notice any problem.

I did change the tires for the biggest improvement.

one of the main issues with the road noise is our tires are thinner than the 350's. You can expect more road noise and sensitivity to the road with our tires being a 30/35 compared to a 40. just my 2cents.

60k and love it more than the day I bought it...true story!

A quiet sports car?:icon14: I don't get it. A set of Michelins will help a bit but really, a quiet sports car?:shakes head:

just get a loud exhaust. you wont hear stupid road noise.

some folks better off with a G. :shakes head:

in 1981 the 280zx did not get very good reviews
 

I drove one, liked it, then bought it. Since that one was not black & no T tops, I traded it in for another 1981 BLACK 280zx. For years I was very happy with it & forgot about the reviews.

Today nobody says anything bad about the 1981 280zx. So, do read reviews BUT go with what YOU like & what makes YOU happy.

I love dismissive posts like this (and numerous others in the thread). Because, you know, being concerned about whether I can take a phone call or have a conversation with my passenger means I don't actually want a sports car. You go to the some Cayman R or Lotus forums and they'll tell you that you don't want a real sports car if you have air conditioning or a radio.

One of my concerns is that I will occasionally Need to borrow my wife's car. I'm as much worried about her ability to put up with the noise, blind spots, ride quality, etc as I am my own (I'm confident I can place my mirrors correctly and prefer a stiff ride, so those two aren't major concerns). I guess if she ends up not liking it over time, I'll just borrow somebody elses car when I need the cargo space :)

Anyway, thank you for those who contributed to this thread. I'm about to put down a large sum of money, so first hand experiences are very welcome. Like I said, I drove a handful and haven't had any real problems, I was just worried that maybe I hadn't hit the right conditions yet. I've been eyeing a Z for well over a year, and I'll probably end up pulling the trigger and looking into tires if I absolutely must.

good point - I never cared for big wheels & thin tires
 

If you check out my profile I unfortunately have only one picture of my 08 Z. Still you can see big & wide tires, flush perfectly without spacers. Plenty of rubber for a nice handling & smooth ride.

Nobody can tell so lets not spread this around but they are on 17" wheels :)

Before the Z, I had an '06 Inifiniti M35 S. Going from the M to the Z, I definitely noticed the "extra noise".

However, I did note that after getting new tires (Michelin Pilot Sport A/S... ya ya... I know... Costco didn't have the SS) the road noise/extra noise was much less. With my old tires (balding..and dying lol) I would hear a lot of small/tiny rocks bouncing off the undercarriage of the trunk; after I changed tires, I've either tuned it out...or it doesn't really happen anymore.

You kind of get used to it...and by getting used to it, I mean your brain learns to tune out those sounds. I didn't do any type of "sound deadening" mods... imo...it just adds weight. XD

Couldn't stand the road noise either when I bought my Z. I replaced the stock tires that came with my '09 with Continental Pro Contact (I think they were called) and the difference was remarkable. At least 60% of the road noise went away and the ride seemed a bit more comfortable, too. Check into the Continentals---easier and cheaper than DynaMat, etc.

The road noise never bothered me in the Z. Then again, my beater is a 2002 Mini Cooper with all the rattles of a car with 122k miles on it, and a big-*** hole in the muffler. I guess it's all relative.