'09 X7 Exclusive Road Noise: Fixes?

[Cresco750]

Having now owned my X7 for a few months I am becomong more and more disappointed by the amount of road noise generated compared to virtually any other similar sized vehicle that I've owned or driven.

On a smooth asphalt surface the vehicle is very quiet, and an absolute pleasure to drive, but as soon as the tyres come in contact with the course chip tar surface that is on most of the roads in my part of the world there is a rather loud and unpleasant din.

I've read that this is a common complaint, and the fact that it does ride quietly when on smooth surfaces suggests to me that the noise isn't caused by a worn wheel bearing, etc?

When I bought the car it had reasonably new Pirelli's on the front and Michelins on the back. Thinking that perhaps it was a bad tyre I rotated them, but this made no difference.

 

Has anyone successfully found a way to significantly reduce this road noise? Adding sound proofing perhaps? Different tyres?

Edited April 9, 2016 by Cresco750

[MikeLane]

Turn the radio up?

(Sorry - as you say, this is a complaint made by several new to Citroen owners. Ive only had Citroens for the past 30 odd years so I suppose I don't notice it. However my brother's and son-in-law's Renaults are quieter - but not so comfortable!)

Edited April 9, 2016 by MikeLane

[paul.h]

Try searching the site, there is a topic somewhere from a member in Australia who has soundproofed his C5 but I could not quickly find it.

[Cresco750]

Thanks, I think this is the thread that you're referring to...

 

http://www.citroen-owners-club.co.uk/citroen/topic/10660-c5-tourer-road-noise/?hl=%20road%20%20noise

 

It seems like the only effective solution is the installation of a significant amount of sound deadening material?

[paul.h]

That's the topic. I have now pinned it so should be easy to find in the future.

[MikeLane]

The trouble with measuring anything in dBs is whether it's a measurement of power or Volts (or Amps) that one's expressing.

+3 dB in Watts (power) is twice as loud but in Volts or Amps it's 40% more.

(Just thought I'd........)

[4rchibald]

I have also experienced this. Car with double glazed windows should be better sound proofed, but I disagree that other cars are better sound proofed. 

It seems that noise comes from the back of the car. Initially I thought that this is wind noise, but as you stated it goes away on good road surface, so that would suggest poor sound deadening around rear arches. 

Unfortunately I have not come to checking rear wheel arches yet to see where this noise is coming from. 

[Cresco750]

I've read other reports where the noise was noted to be coming from the rear of the vehicle, but the noise I'm getting is deffinately from the front end. Still undecided whether I go down the path of adding sound deadening, or just put up with it?