997 versus 996 Interior Noise level
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,467
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From: redmond wa
I noticed a significant reduction in tire/road noise when I changed from Kumho to Nokian late last year. So yes, tires do make a difference.
In terms of exhaust/engine noise, it's fine with me. In fact, I often welcome listening to it more than the stereo. For some reason, it's the tire/road noise that leaves my ears ringing after a while. I must admit that my hearing has been compromised probably due to my years of being around unmuffled race engines.
In terms of exhaust/engine noise, it's fine with me. In fact, I often welcome listening to it more than the stereo. For some reason, it's the tire/road noise that leaves my ears ringing after a while. I must admit that my hearing has been compromised probably due to my years of being around unmuffled race engines.
That helped.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,467
Likes: 16
From: redmond wa
Thoroughly coating the rubber window and door seal with silicon spray once or twice a year definitely helps. Helps to seal and also keeps the rubber "live".
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From: NE Ohio
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
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At 100+ they all sound the same. I don't have access to a 996, but would think that they are very close (ceteris paribus). I may be in the minority, but don't understand why we look for such small differences. Sort of like that fellow that was trying to understand the difference between the Bose with & without the back seats up. Cheers.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
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Rennlist Member
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Southern California
I owned a 996 for 8 years, but I sold it almost 5 years ago so it's hard to make a direct comparison about the noise level. Besides as Edgy points out, differences in tires, exhaust, etc make comparisons even harder. What I have noticed is that my 997.2 is more solid feeling; much fewer creaks and rattles over rough roads for example. In particular, where the roof/sunroof area of my 996 was a source of annoyance due to rattles, my 997.2 has no issues. I don't know that if you measured them with a sound meter that the the 997.2 would be quieter, but it has a more refined, solid feel IMO, which makes daily driving more pleasurable.
On the other hand, when the rears were used up about ten thousand later, it was very annoying in the cockpit. So bad my first thought was something mechanical had gone wrong. Then I remembered our NSX was the same way. I would start thinking "at our age, we really ought to get a quieter, more refined car." Then the new set of tires would go on at the routine interval (we owned it ten years) and I'd be cussing myself for even thinking about another car. Cars so intimate in their road touch, and especially when wearing high performance rubber, tend to sound like an oxcart on cobbles when the tires have given their all.
Despite all that, I'll bet a 997.2 has less road noise than a 996 when both are on new Michelin Pilots.
Gary
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