There is wind noise too, but even at low speeds I notice that I can hear outdoor noises much more clearly - I hear other vehicles passing a lot more clearly than in my 4 year old crappy Toyota (Toyota quality sucks-by-the-way) minivan. Maybe it's the difference in the height from the road surface, but interior cabin noise seems higher. Anybody esle have explanations or weatherstripping solutions? Thanks! Greg

 

GregO, wind noise and outside noises are going to be more because the MINI has frameless windows. They do not block out noises as well as full framed windows. You should notice quite a bit of noise once you start going 70mph or greater. Combine that with the runflats which are noisy and it can be a lot louder than a Toyota Camry or something like that. Just be glad your previous car wasn't a Lexus...they are amazingly quiet and you'd be going nuts in your MINI.

 

Good points. Thanks for the reply. Greg

 

Took the wife's car (06 MCS) for an errand yesterday. Strangely obvious that wind noise from her driver-side window is practically non-existent compared to my 08. As mentioned, even at low city speeds it's real obvious . I would never have guessed that the 08 was noisier inside than an 06 in that regard. I guess I'll have the dealer check it out next time I'm in, although I'm skeptical anything can really be done about it other than maybe adjusting the window closure height?

Other item I noticed...I definitely like the steering in the 06 way better.
Greg

 

GregO, there shouldn't be any wind noise low city speeds. Once you start going 70mph or faster it's noticeable, but at city speeds there shouldn't be anything.

 

That about sums it up...Wind noise is pretty bad at freeway speeds...but not noticeable at city speeds. Also on roughed up roads (prior to laying down pavment) the noise is truly something else

Is there less sound deadening material built into the MINI's to keep the weight down?

 

I have an '07 MCS that recently got very loud around the sunroof and sounded like the sunroof was open a little. Having read through some threads here it sounded like my sunroof needed to be adjusted so I took a good look at the corners and found that on the front edge of the sunroof the rubber grommet had peeled back from the roof edge just enough to create a tiny hole. The dealer did something to fix it and my car was SUPER quiet again but that only lasted a week. The rubber has peeled back a bit again and it's making noises like before. I informed the dealer and they are going to look at it again.

 

Check the other threads about the 08 HIFi not being as good as the 06 Harmn Kardon . This is most likely the reason you hear more road noise in the 08 . The Stereo is not as loud.
I thought the fix for road noise was the Volume control on the Radio