[keepinit]

For those who own one of these cars and have ridden in the new ones, which is quieter? I was reading the noise level improvements for the new Golf TDI but the Jetta TDI doesn't mention anything about noise levels. Since the engine is the same, it should come down to the car.

 

[6thVW-1stTDI]

I can only speak about the Golf, haven't been in a new Jetta yet. But in my Golf, the engine noise is pretty much a non-issue. Not noisy inside at all. On the Golf, the biggest noise issue is road or tire noise. The stock Contis are fine on nice, new pavement - very quiet in fact. But on worn, cobbled pavement they roar petty badly. For my uses, that's my only complaint with the Contis. They are LRR (for a wide tire, anyway), handle, ride and drive fine. But too noisy on less than perfect pavement. No way I'd buy another set when these are done.

 

[golfTDI1]

Yeah, the contis aren't terrible, but I won't be buying them again...I know there are better tires out there. As for the noise levels due to engine...I've driven my friend's 2010 Jetta TDI as well as my 2010 Golf TDI and the experience is virtually the same as far as engine and road noise goes. I haven't been in a new 2011 (Mk6) Jetta TDI, but I would think its gotta be at least as quiet as the '10

 

[DAVE PARKER]

I had my 2010 TDI JSW parked next to a 2010 Golf TDI in the parking lot at the local Target. Waited for the Golf owner to come back to his car. While we stood near the cars and chatted both were idling.
No difference in engine noise at idle from the two cars.

cheers
dave parker

 

[blueprintbill]

And the A-3 ???

Presumably, given the additional 300 lbs of weight in the Audi vs the Golf, the sheet metal ( mass ) , if that's where the additional weight is, should go a bit in the reduction of sound transmission. I understand the new Jetta ( 2011 ) has gotten lighter, but haven't seen the figures. This might mean a little better MPG, but have they improved on, or compromised, acoustics ?

 

[bd51520]

Hi. I bought my 2011 TDI Sportwagen in December, and my only disappointment is with the tire noise. My previous vehicle was an Audi Allroad, so this probably is skewing my perceptions as the two are hardly comparable. Anyhow, if you're driving on asphalt roads, it's acceptable (though our '07 Prius **seems** quieter). However, when I drive on the concrete paved interstates in Pennsylvania, it's deafening. It drowns out the radio, and people who call on my cell say they cannot hear me on the built in microphone in the bluetooth system. Don't get me wrong; I love the car; it's a smash to drive. It's comfortable, and the mileage is great. Noise is totally subjective. Some people are as deaf as a door knob; others hear each and every little thing. Drive them both, in town and on the highway and determine for yourself. That's the only true measure.

 

[blueprintbill]

Tires / Noise

Hi. I bought my 2011 TDI Sportwagen in December, and my only disappointment is with the tire noise. My previous vehicle was an Audi Allroad, so this probably is skewing my perceptions as the two are hardly comparable. Anyhow, if you're driving on asphalt roads, it's acceptable (though our '07 Prius **seems** quieter). However, when I drive on the concrete paved interstates in Pennsylvania, it's deafening. It drowns out the radio, and people who call on my cell say they cannot hear me on the built in microphone in the bluetooth system. Don't get me wrong; I love the car; it's a smash to drive. It's comfortable, and the mileage is great. Noise is totally subjective. Some people are as deaf as a door knob; others hear each and every little thing. Drive them both, in town and on the highway and determine for yourself. That's the only true measure.

Surprised to hear you think the Prius might be more quiet than the VW Sportwagen. The Continentals mentioned above got what seemed to be 'reasonable' noise reviews. What are you running on ? And on the stock 17" wheels ?

 

[bd51520]

Surprised to hear you think the Prius might be more quiet than the VW Sportwagen. The Continentals mentioned above got what seemed to be 'reasonable' noise reviews. What are you running on ? And on the stock 17" wheels ?

They're the stock 17" wheels and they're the Continentals. I've only got about 1500 miles on the car so far. I'll start another thread so that we don't go off topic here about JSW and Golf.

 

[blueprintbill]

And the Audi A3 ?

Has anybody any cross experience between the A3 and the VW's ?

 

[TDIStevestr]

Has anybody any cross experience between the A3 and the VW's ?

Only in test drives but I found them pretty much identical both inside and out. Inside you never hear the engine at all on either the A3 or TDI Golf. Outside, at idle, there is a slight sound.

Not sure if this helps. I'm going to put an order in for my TDI Golf soon. Impossible to find a DSG, Dynaudio, Navi, and Winter Package on any lots so far.

 

[chittychittybangbang]

2nd, I've test driven the mk5 VW Jetta and the Audi A3 TDI and didn't notice any difference in sound. I didn't use a db meter or anything, this was just based on a short drive. The Audi did feel slightly different but it's also slightly heavier and DSG only.

I did notice that the HID lights on the Audi were definitely better than the mk6 Golf-GTI HID lights. The cut off was slightly sharper and more defined. It's not a big deal and light output seemed the same. The Golf did have cornering lights which is a bonus.

 

[5point]

The one with the better tires and better roads. I'll bet that tire quality and road condition is a major factor in overall noise levels. If you're worried about sound quality, get the Dynaudio or upgrade the radio yourself

 

[thrab]

Golf is a bit more quiet but not nearly so much that it should affect a purchase decision between the two. Really you're not going to notice anyways unless you drive alone in dead silence.

 

[ashutoshsm]

Having avoided the Jetta sedan during test drives (I don't want to be stuck witht he non-independent rear suspension), I can only speculate that the Golf would be louder, all things being equal, due to a relative lack of insulation between the rear tires/axle and the interior of the car. The sedan separates the trunk from the cabin.

I know that road rumble in the wagon and golf TDIs I test drove was noticeable, but with almost 4K on my JSW, I've gotten used to it. Especially relative to the grippy and noisy tires on my last car (03 Mazda 6) and it's old+tighter hence noisier suspension.

 

[snorlax]

Has anybody any cross experience between the A3 and the VW's ?

I drove a lot of cars before buying my son's Golf, including candidates to replace my Passat. The A3 seemed a bit quieter than A5 VWs (Any Sportwagen, including '10 + cars, and Jetta Sedans) at times. I think that it's due to more sound deadening and seals. The A3 is on the same A5 platform as those VWs. Compared to the A6 Golf, the Golf was much quieter at all times than any of the other cars. Engine noise, highway wind noise, and road impact/suspension sounds were all subdued. For me, it substantiated VW's claims of improvements on the A6. And the seats were easily the most comfortable. So we bought one.