At highway speeds, it sounds just like it does in the Caravan when a window is only 98% closed - know what I mean? All windows closed tight, sunroof closed tight, still getting this air-coming-in sound.

The sound is coming from in front of me, not from overhead, so I think the sunroof is sealing OK when it shuts.

I look silly driving down the tollway, holding hands and fingers up to my windscreen "feeling" for incoming air around the edges . I haven't been able to pinpoint any air coming in so far, but the sound is definitely not imaginary.

Could it be a "normal" sound, since those honeycomb grills (cowl vents?) are just outside there? Anyone else hearing this?

I'll hang up now and take your answers off the air,
Tatt

 

I don't have my mini yet but I have test driven four of them, 3 on the freeway. I didn't notice anything. Actually, I was surprised at how quiet the cabin of the small car was. There was hardly any road noise and no wind noise. My old Jetta had a road/wind noise problem. My Audi is silent. It must be that mis-aligned heated windshield washer nozzle of yours

 

Is your bonnet closed completely? There are latches on both sides, and it is possible one or both of them is not latched. The bonnet is heavy and has a safety catch. So its not likely to fly up, but try opening and completely closing the bonnet, see if that fixes it.

 

The used Mini I just purchased has something similar at highway speeds (70+). I believe it's the passenger window, but haven't had time to fully diagnose it.

The strange thing is the sound stays about the same as I open the window. I don't believe any air is actually coming in. I'm hoping it'll be as simple as replacing the molding.

 

A couple of times when I closed my window it stuck out a little at the top, so the top edge didn't quite fall into the groove, does that make any sense? Anyways that keeps it from making a seal and could be your cause. The sound seemed to be coming from the driver-side mirror, check it out.

 

Thanks y'all - I don't think we have any "matches" yet though.

It would be a concern if the problem really was the bonnet being ajar, for a couple reasons - the idiot light is not on, (i'm checking to be sure it's not just for the boot hatch), and also, every seam lines up perfect (it LOOKS closed).

I had a chuckle on Delivery Day, when my MA didn't get the bonnet to close all the way on the first drop LOL. Since that time though, I have experimented (I HEARD you whoever just said I'm **** retentive) to find the exact height/force required to get it to shut perfect every time. Lord knows I'm in there enough topping off the windshield washer and checking oil, and I figure there's no need to be unnecessarily rough on it - no cracked plastic pieces from slamming it shut, etc.

oops, I digress - I need to take my MA or a service tech for a ride, I think.

Gratefully,
Tatt

 

check the black plastic trim on the top of the windscreen.twice mine has come unglued and sounds like the banshee is along for the ride.

 

Mine is quiet as a mouse, it's definitely not normal!

 

LOL banshee! I used to be in a band called the Screamin' Mimi's .

I definitely will check that the trim is attached firmly. Not sure I can do a good thorough job of checking, though. That definitely could cause this sound of "unmanaged" air getting somewhere it aint sposed to be.

I may lay some tape along the windscreen edges, one at a time, and see if I can reduce or eliminate the noise that way.

 

I get some wind noise at 70MPH when going into a head wind,and it is coming from the heat/air system,if I turn it to recirc,it goes away.The mesh under my 03 bonnet grills got worn out,and the dealer put new 04 grills in that don't have mesh under them,and thats when the wind noise started.

 

THanks Tons, Lot15! I admit I'm curious how your recent service escapades turned out (have you posted yet?), but you hit on something that I had noticed too (which ironically had made me think that maybe "nothing is wrong")...

First day I noticed this noise, I actually DID hit the ReCirculate button, and dang'd if it didn't decrease significantly - I had forgotten about that. Attribute my forgetfulness to a lifestyle which includes occasional recreational chemistry I suppose.

I think I will focus on those grills, maybe improvise a way to quiet them. What if I find perfectly intact factory mesh in there, hmmm I guess we'll cross that bridge...

Most Gratefully,
Tatt

 

tatt,there is no mesh in the newer grills.But I would like to find something that breathes,yet stops the noise.
Things are good again