Naturally I don't drive into pools of rainwater by choice. I try and avoid them. In previous cars, when I did unavoidably hit water, I would part-apply the brakes afterwards to help shift excess wetness, and would test them before needing them. But with my Berlingo (1.4 petrol Mspace, 2005) any watersplash brings a horribly loud howling growl that takes 10 or 20 miles to clear. It's at its loudest with brakes applied, but is evident without doing so. Is this purely to do with water getting into some area of the brakes from where it can't easily drain out? Or is it getting into the anti-lock brake mechanism, or what? It frightened me the first time it happened - I jumped out and checked for breakages or something jammed in the wheelarch it was so loud. I wondered if maybe the exhaust/cat had got bashed on the water surface - but then finding it noiser with brakes applied I figured it must be there. Passengers find it frighteningly noisy. Joz