I drive a clubman. My wife is looking at replacing her subaru and she very interested in the Countryman S ALL4. She loved the test drive; wants a stick after driving an auto then stick.

One of her reservations is how much louder it is at highway speeds than her Subaru outback. (It's about the same loudness as my Clubman; I measured with an SPL meter because I'm a nerd.) Aside from ditching the run flat tires, is there anything that has been found successful in reducing road noise in the CM?

I've read on NAM about some Hardtop guys who have had success adding sound deadening material in the wheel wells. Would that make a noticeable difference in the CM?

The main issue she wants to address is ease of conversing with our chatty four year old in the back seat. :-)

Thanks!

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Although I don't find the noise level a problem, some people say that skipping the sun roof option significantly improves noise levels (which obviously makes sense).

+1 on the sunroof being a source of noise

i bought a 2012 CMS All4 w/o sunroof (custom order)

my dad was so impressed with it he bought a used demo CMS All4 2 weeks after i took delivery ... his has a sunroof and his is much louder than mine, sunroof open or closed

scott

Generally speaking, bench seat and keeping the back cover on should help. Maybe some extra insulation in the cargo well. Noise is a problem in most all hatches. Beyond that, only drive slow on smooth roads and turn up the radio.

Indeed. my Clubman has a sunroof and I can hear the noise coming off the top of the windscreen at its front. The CMS I was in for the test ride (she drove--her car after all) had no sunroof. At highway speeds it ran right around 82-85 db in the back seat.

I'll mention the sunroof thing to her anyway. Thanks!

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