Noise level in a D3 [Archive] - Australian Land Rover Owners

Wilbur

29th January 2011, 10:48 AM

Hi all,

I have a bad tinnitus problem and need to avoid noise. In my Defenders, I use earplugs and Bose noise cancelling headphones together. In my Disco 2, I just use the Bose.

I would love to drive 'naked' - in the aural sense. Can anyone tell me please how the noise level of the Disco 3 compares to a Disco 2? By noise I don't mean the odd transmission whine, or diesel knock, but the constant roar of road surface noise from tyres, or the boom and crash as tyres hit obstacles, potholes, corrugations etc.

The Disco 2 is pretty good, but has a lot of low frequency noise, possibly made worse by the ACE system.

Is the RRS any better in this respect?

Thanks everyone,

Cheers,

Paul

Neil P

29th January 2011, 11:13 AM

Test drive one at your LR Dealer's trade-in lot ..........
Only you know what you can tolerate .

Ean Austral

29th January 2011, 11:33 AM

Big Big difference between my D2 and now the D3..but my D2 had done alot of off road and corrigations so was likely not the quietest D2 around.

As suggested take 1 for a test drive..

Cheers Ean

gghaggis

29th January 2011, 12:03 PM

RRS is quieter - it has double glazed front windows.

Cheers,

Gordon

Wilbur

29th January 2011, 01:13 PM

Thanks for the replies. Taking one for a drive is not so easy - the nearest dealer is three and a half hours drive away. That is the beauty of this forum - I hope to find out enought to justify (or not) a day away from the workshop.

Thanks Ean, that is the sort of thing I was looking for, but preferably a comparison to a 'quiet' D2.

Likewise, thanks Gordon, every little bit of quiet helps. I bet it costs a bomb when it is time for a new windscreen!

Does the D3/RRS have a separate chassis like the D2 or have they gone monocoque?

Cheers,

Paul

lpj

29th January 2011, 02:08 PM

DanW

29th January 2011, 04:28 PM

If you get back to your car with a kid in your hands, you could probably assume you left the car with a kid in your hands - so presumedly the 2nd row seat would have been left forward?

Clarkson is right, "someone wasn't thinking....", him.

We use the 3rd row quite a lot but never pull the 2nd row seat forward all the way like that - we lay the 2nd row seat back rest down and the kids climb in - no more difficult than any 2 seat vehicle.

Disco4SE

29th January 2011, 04:48 PM

gghaggis

29th January 2011, 05:39 PM

Likewise, thanks Gordon, every little bit of quiet helps. I bet it costs a bomb when it is time for a new windscreen!

Cheers,

Paul

In the RRS, it's the passenger and driver's windows that are double-glazed, but yes, they probably cost a bomb! Makes a big difference to tyre noise though.

Cheers,

Gordon

Wilbur

29th January 2011, 07:53 PM

Hi Paul,

My first post on this forum so, hello to all.

I believe D3's have both monocoque and traditional 4x4 chassis.

This review on top gear is a good one if you can handle Jeremy Clarkson. He discusses the chassis issue at 2:55.

YouTube - Disco Climbing Challenge part 1 - Top Gear - BBC (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVpVLH4M4R4&feature=youtube_gdata_player)

Luke

Thanks Luke, and welcome to the forum. The chassis issue is interesting - and particularly because Clarkson seems to make an advantage into a disadvantage. But that is nothing compared to the issue he makes of the kiddy Seats. Bloody hell, if those are the only things he can find to criticise, then the D3 must be a mighty fine vehicle.

Cheers,

Paul

Wilbur

29th January 2011, 07:56 PM

Wilbur, I noticed how quiet my D3 was coming from a Landcruiser 100 Series TD.
The swap to the D4 was even quieter again. I assume that the noise levels in the D3 being a totally different and more refined vehicle than the D2, would be quite noticeable.

Cheers, Craig

Not sure about noise in a 100 Toyota, never been in one, but if the D4 is quieter again, maybe I better wait until I can afford a D4. Or the RRS.....

Cheers,

Paul

Wilbur

29th January 2011, 08:00 PM

In the RRS, it's the passenger and driver's windows that are double-glazed, but yes, they probably cost a bomb! Makes a big difference to tyre noise though.

Cheers,

Gordon

Hmm, I shouldn't assume anything! Now that I think, a double-glazed windscreen is a bit improbable. This is much better - expensive or not, I wouldn't exprect to replace door windows very often.

Cheers,

Paul

ivery819

29th January 2011, 08:07 PM

Wilbur
I'm in Tathra......pm me for phone No. and you can test drive my RRS.

Wilbur

30th January 2011, 06:45 AM

Wilbur
I'm in Tathra......pm me for phone No. and you can test drive my RRS.

That's brilliant, thank you, will send PM.

Cheers,

Paul

discojools

30th January 2011, 08:28 AM

G'day Wilbur,
As a sound engineer I can tell you that the D3 is a very quiet car and the theD4 even quieter. I also have an RRS TDV8. This is slightly noisier than my D3 was, mostly road noise..

Disco4SE

30th January 2011, 09:27 AM

Wilbur, just remembered an occasion a few months back where I drove a client back to his office (around 30Klm, mainly in traffic).
He had just dropped off his RRS TDV8. A few kays down the road, he commented on how quiet my D4 was. Having said this, he didn't say that his was any louder. But must have been quiet for him to make a comment.
I had a RRS TDV8 for a weekend about 6 months ago. It was a 2009 model. I did notice that the engine noise was greater and same with the road noise. I beleive that the current RRS is quieter.
As others have suggested, take a D3 for a drive. Its the only way for you to be sure.
I am positive that you will be pleasantly surprised.
Cheers, Craig

Wilbur

30th January 2011, 02:15 PM

Thanks Discojools and Disco4SE,

It looks likely that I will get a D3 or an RRS - all the replies suggest that they are pretty quiet. I have had a very kind offer to try out an RRS up here, so will go on from there.

Cheers everyone,

Paul

theresanothersteve

31st January 2011, 07:12 AM

We went from D1 to D3, partly because the noise in D1 was very fatiuging to drive. The difference is astounding.

A colleague who has D2 needed a lift to a meeting is now looking for a D3/D4 because the comfort, particularly noise levels, is marked.

When we bought ours I picked it up and drove non-stop Melbourne to Adelaide at speed limits and arrived back home completely fresh, no ringing in the ears or headache like D1 gave...

101RRS

31st January 2011, 08:07 AM

Wilbur

31st January 2011, 08:42 AM

I must admit I am somewhat under whelmed by the ride and noise levels in my RRS. Maybe I was expecting too much but in both areas it is not much better than my 13yo Freelander.

I still have original tyres and there is a bit of road noise and the air suspension as far as ride quality goes it nothing special. I have lots of wind noise around the external mirrors. That double glazing doesn't seem to do much. Like all cars the ventilation fan can be noisey.

The NVH of the RRS overall is good (just not as good as I was expecting) and I don't think it will be much better than the D2 (though I haven't been in a D2).

Garry

Interesting comment about the suspension. A few years ago I had a 2002 P38a and wasn't at all impressed by the air suspension. Compared to my '87 RR it seemed 'rubbery' to steer, and although it was brilliant on corrugations it was pretty harsh on highway potholes etc. The whole cabin seemed to resonate when hitting a big bump, a bit like living inside a drum....

I think I will start a new thread on coil versus air....

Cheers,

Paul

Wilbur

31st January 2011, 08:44 AM

WhiteD3

31st January 2011, 10:32 AM

Hi all, I have a bad tinnitus problem and need to avoid noise.

Most days the loudest noise in my D3 is my Tinnitus!

djhampson

31st January 2011, 11:43 AM

My D3 was v. quite until I put a roof rack and Cooper STs on. Both of these add a dull roar to the car at 100kph.

The stereo covers it up nicely however.

The worst thing for road noise is when I put the awning on. That sounds like Darth Vader is on the roof.

Celtoid

31st January 2011, 11:55 AM

Most days the loudest noise in my D3 is my Tinnitus!

I'll second that in my D4....except for the day I inadvertently drove over a creek wash-out....then there was a rather loud version of "ladies and gentlemen please brace for landing"
;)

Wilbur

31st January 2011, 01:54 PM

Most days the loudest noise in my D3 is my Tinnitus!

Interesting comment...... same in my D2. But.... the tinnitus is louder in the D2 than outside. I did some measurements. Audible noise at 100KPH is around 70dB, not bad at all. However, sub-sonic (inaudible) low frequency noise was around 95 dB!

Thus the inaudible low frequency noise still makes the tinnitus worse.

My single cab Defenders are bloody noisy - like about 80dB at 100KPH BUT the low frequency noise is only 85dB. Even without any hearing protection, I get less tinnitus in the Defenders.

It's all getting a bit complicated......

Cheers,

Paul

DiscoWeb

31st January 2011, 02:26 PM

The worst thing for road noise is when I put the awning on. That sounds like Darth Vader is on the roof.

Off topic i know, but which awning and what racks are you using.

George.

Celtoid

31st January 2011, 02:55 PM

Interesting comment...... same in my D2. But.... the tinnitus is louder in the D2 than outside. I did some measurements. Audible noise at 100KPH is around 70dB, not bad at all. However, sub-sonic (inaudible) low frequency noise was around 95 dB!

Thus the inaudible low frequency noise still makes the tinnitus worse.

My single cab Defenders are bloody noisy - like about 80dB at 100KPH BUT the low frequency noise is only 85dB. Even without any hearing protection, I get less tinnitus in the Defenders.

It's all getting a bit complicated......

Cheers,

Paul

Can't talk for the others but it has been noted by many that have gone to places like the Arctic...which is really quiet when there is no wind...tinnitus is really obvious....

I was referring to how quiet it is in the D4 cabin....exaggerating a bit thou...but it is quiet. :)

Cheers,

Kev.

PaulGOz

31st January 2011, 06:59 PM

One of the reasons I choose a D4 over a fairly new D3 was that the D4 was that little bit quieter. It is a very relaxed crusiser, on the open road I am amzed at what is probably only a small difference in sound levels can do after 8 hrs of driving. It is the only car i have driven for long periods and felt like I have been sitting in the lounge room the whole time. It is a pleasure to cruise in especially when the kids and SWMBO are asleep:).

Dingmark Jim

31st January 2011, 07:47 PM

As a fellow tinnitus sufferer, I originally got a V8 D3 for this reason. The engine was suprisingly economical unless driven hard or fast, which helped encouraging me to drive at a quiet 105 km/hr. The only intrusive noise when not driving floored was when driving on very "open pore" bitumen. New road tyres are the key to keeping road noise down, in my experience. In general the D3/D4 it was about as quiet as anything I've ever been in (except the front top deck of an Airbus A380:p). The A/C of any vehicle on full roar can be noisy, but if you get the rear A/C, running it at a faster speed than in the front quiets things down more. Items on the roof make noise no matter what, although the official LR cross bars were pretty quiet.

My current 3.0 D4 is nearly as quiet as the V8 D3 was at high speeds, but there's more diesel rumble in the city. I have an aftermarket roofrack which causes tinnitus-inducing roof vibrations, but have managed to quiet that a bit with some 4" plastic pipe inelegantly stuffed in the front. Or I just go through the hassle of taking the rack off for town drives. On my D4 the air suspension compressor is much quieter than it was on the D3, which makes a difference to the tinnitus.

Of course all this is swamped by the effect of SWMBO but that's a small price to pay (okay, mine did radio work for the ABC decades ago and can talk clearly, loud and fast).

ADMIRAL

31st January 2011, 10:12 PM

'My current 3.0 D4 is nearly as quiet as the V8 D3 was at high speeds, but there's more diesel rumble in the city. I have an aftermarket roofrack which causes tinnitus-inducing roof vibrations, but have managed to quiet that a bit with some 4" plastic pipe inelegantly stuffed in the front. Or I just go through the hassle of taking the rack off for town drives. On my D4 the air suspension compressor is much quieter than it was on the D3, which makes a difference to the tinnitus. '

I drive an assortment of 4WD's in any one week. The D4 is a stack quieter than everything else. The Landcruiser 100 & 200 are very good but not in the same league for interior noise. Patrols are quite noisy as are the diesel Pajero's. However, put a a genuine LR Expedition rack on the D4, and you will have an intrusive roar at 100kmh. I have shut it up to an acceptable level, using a piece of shaped poly pipe, covered with a rubber steam insulation. As with Dingmark Jim above .

Wilbur

1st February 2011, 08:38 AM

Well, I am convinced, I need a D4. I will of course try one with my little meter in hand, but it sounds pretty promising from what everyone has written.

Now, please, another BIG question. Can anyone recommend a Land Rover dealer in the ACT, Sydney or Melbourne with a good workshop? I have heard so many horror stories about main dealers that I approach a new car purchase with great trepidation.

Thanks everyone for all the info on noise. I am also glad to see the almost universal praise for the D3/4/RRS. Pretty good for the bunch of realists on this site.

Cheers,

Paul

djhampson

1st February 2011, 08:50 AM

Off topic i know, but which awning and what racks are you using.

George.

Its a Opposite Lock Rackmaster and an Ironman Awning.

The rack is a lot better now I've repositioned the wind deflector.

The awning is bad because it sits side on to the wind and has a soft bag which can flap around a bit. Some of the more expensive awnings have a smaller shape to them so they probably are a lot quiter.

I personally don't find the noise a problem so I can live with it.

Disco4SE

1st February 2011, 10:51 AM

Wilbur, Either ULR Malvern or MLR Melbourne have great workshops.
I brought mine from ULR and have been very happy with their service. Heard this from another member only the other day.
Good luck with your searching.

Cheers, Craig

Bushwanderer

1st February 2011, 01:54 PM

Hi Paul,
Feedback I have from Canberra is that the new dealer (Lennox ('sp)) is better than the previous, but some still have complaints. I also hear lots of good reports about the independent "Canberra Motor Works".

In Sydney, the best reps go to Trivett Parramatta and Alto St Leonards(?). A very good independent is Graeme Cooper Automotive (St Peters).

HTH,
Peter

Nomad9

2nd February 2011, 12:18 AM

Hi Paul,
With tinnitus I sympathise with you, I also suffer from this ailment. I agree with you 100% about reducing the noise to prevent the tinnitus getting worse. I'm not sure about yourself but I find the sound of silence exaggerates the tinnitus so I find the "ringing" in my ears to be worse and more annoying, I find it a lot less annoying when I have some background noise either a radio playing quietly or the purring noise of a nice 2.7 V6 in the background.
I went camping recently in the bush with my wife, after I hit the camp bed I really struggled to get to sleep because it was so quiet and the ringing was so "obvious". The noise in a D3 isn't going to be that quiet but in my experience the D3 is a lot quieter than the D2. "I feel your pain"........!

theresanothersteve

2nd February 2011, 06:41 AM

Excellent, thank you, it sounds like the D3 is just what I need. Is yours coil or air suspension?

Cheers,

Paul
Hi Paul,
Just the S, so its only got coils...

Wilbur

2nd February 2011, 07:30 AM

Thanks Craig and Peter,

That gives me a starting point - looks like it will be Sydney or Melbourne for any purchase. It is good to know there is a respected independant in Canberra, somewhere closer to get the Defenders serviced.

Nomad9, thanks for the empathy! In my case it is self-inflicted and my own fault, 15 years of obsessive riding of motorbikes ignoring all warnings that I should use earplugs.

Thanks again to everyone for all the replies - it seems pretty obvious that the D4 is the way to go for those of us visited by tinnitus.

Cheers everyone,

Paul

Graeme

2nd February 2011, 07:49 AM

One of the major reasons for upgrading from my TD5 D2 which was running well and had no problems was because of the headaches I got from 4 hours of freeway cruising. The D4 is bliss. The D2's new owner still gives me updates on how well the D2 is going.

TerryO

3rd February 2011, 06:35 AM

Thanks Craig and Peter,

That gives me a starting point - looks like it will be Sydney or Melbourne for any purchase. It is good to know there is a respected independant in Canberra, somewhere closer to get the Defenders serviced.

Paul

I have had work done at the 'respected independant in Canberra' that you mention and I found them to be extremely expensive and they didn't use OEM parts.
This was a 120 k service which cost over $1800 and they never even checked the spark plugs and two weeks later I had to change them myself when it sarted running like a old 2 stroke. I now know of others who have had similar exeriences.

Needless to say I have not gone back.

cheers,
Terry

Bushwanderer

3rd February 2011, 12:09 PM

Thanks for the update, Terry.

So who will you now go to?

Best Wishes,
Peter

Bushwanderer

3rd February 2011, 12:12 PM

Hi Wilbur,
Don't ignore Lennocks ('sp) in Canberra for test drive and/or purchase.

Best Wishes,
Peter

discojools

3rd February 2011, 03:45 PM

Hi Wilbur,
Both ULR and Lance Dixon have been excellent for me here in Melbourne.

Discojools

TerryO

4th February 2011, 10:32 AM

Thanks for the update, Terry.

So who will you now go to?

Best Wishes,
Peter

I now do the easy things myself or it if is something beyond me I now get my Disco's worked on by Peter at 'Roving Mechanical' in South east Sydney and have found his prices to be very good. If your in Sydney he comes to you place or you can go to his.

It is further to go to then the ACT but I'd rather go to someone I can trust and doesn't charge an arm and a leg.

cheers,
Terry