I'm "seriously" considering a 2014 JCW R57. My only and last concern is the road noise both with the top up and with the top down. Mainly on the highway at faster speeds. I've yet to test drive the JCW R57 so I thought I would just ask here first.

I will be getting the "Always Open" package with the wind screen so please keep that in mind.

I've driven convertibles before and haven't had any noise issues and just want to make sure the R57 doesn't either.

Please post your opinions on the road noise levels if you would, for those of you that have had your R57's for a while.

Thanks

 

We don't have the JCW, but do have the Cooper S convertible. The road buffeting is surprisingly very little, even without the wind screen in place behind the seats. Even at 80mph there was very disturbance from the air. As such we'll probably never bother using the wind screen, as we just don't feel it's needed. That and it makes the back seat unusable for passengers.

The road noise through the top is more than was detectable from the previous convertible; a '96 VW Cabrio. The double-layer top was a good bit thicker than the R57's. Where I notice road noise, however, comes more from the fact that the trunk is not entirely separate from the passenger compartment. There's a bit of road noise that comes in/up from there. More than the Cabrio, that is. Not enough to be a 'problem' though.

 

I will start by saying that our Mini has 66,000 miles on it. My wife has put right at 1000 miles on it since we bought it.

I will agree that there is very little buffeting with the top down at interstate speeds. I had a 85' Corvette Targa that would make you deaf with the top out at highway speed. When you got to triple digit speed, it would suck a hat off your head.

I will have to disagree with the turbulence with the top down. I don't have any problem because I have no hair but my wife, that is a different story. I feel, and wish I had one, a wind screen is definitely a must have item. The O.E. screen does render the back seat useless for carrying people or large animals, but it already is pretty useless. I will say, for a soft top, it does a very good job of keeping out wind and traffic noise.

I think most of the "road" noise comes from the hard as brick tires. Tread design on the tire will make a difference in noise as well. It is no where near as quite as my Sport Trac but they aren't in the same category of vehicle either.

 

I have an '11 JCW. Road noise is there on the highway (top up), but no worse than a 90's Honda product. Much of it is probably the run flats.

Top down, wind buffeting is minimal. It's much better than most cars I've owned (windows open).

 

See my recent screen thread. Though the conversation here is from 2014, so you probably got it solved already.

Jeff

 

indeed, we need to distinguish ROAD noise from WIND noise. I infer that the question was really about the latter. Conversely, my coupe developed SEVERE ROAD NOISE as soon as I replaced the Blizzak's with Michelin Primacy ZP about a week ago.

 

With the wind deflector and the windows up, normal conversation is no problem. Only time we've had excessive cabin noise is when transiting a big strange city and navigational orders are flying fast and interpretation of said orders is slow due to navigating heavy traffic...well established cockpit decorum being essential. 80+K miles of serious topless motoring to date.