Noise levels at 70 mph. Benz vs. Infiniti.

[sijoko]

The interior noise levels for the first generation Q45 are better than most luxury brands today.

According to Car & Driver - December 1989, the interior sound level for the Q at 70-mph cruising was 66 db.

Now compare that with the new Mercedes-Benz E500 tested in the January 2003 edition of Road & Track. At 70-mph cruising, the Benz had an interior sound level of 68 db.

How come the 14 year old luxury car is more quiet? Is the Infiniti really that well-made or is the Benz catering to the watered down standards of today's luxury car buyers?

I think it is both.

[maxnix]

What I think is remarkable about the 1995 is that the ambient noise level at 110 mph is about the same as 80 mph. The speedometer is a valuable instrument in this car to prevent speeding tickets. The sensations of speed are just not there.

[AZhitman]

True.

Every day on my way home, merging onto I-17 North I come down a long on-ramp into a 3/4 mile accel lane. Typically I'm the only car on the lane, as it is regulated to "one-at-a-time" by a light. And every day, I hit triple-digits as I select my place in the queue of traffic on the 17.

No matter how sh!tty my day was at work, all is right with the world at that time.

[Rex]

From March 1995 - Road & Track, Elite Eights Comparison Road Test

Interior Noise/ 70mph 63dBaQuote "These are quiet cars! Quieter than quiet, however, is the idle noise of the two Japanese sedans and the Mercedes. At full throttle, the Cadillac's engine roars more than most; while cruising at 70 mph, the Q45 sets the standard for silence that's truly amazing.

I have the mag at work if anyone would like any other info from it.

[Jesda]

I would be grateful if I could get scans of the article!

[sijoko]

So I guess that the 1994 redesign made a difference.

Let me put 63 db into perspective. I have the Sept. 2003 issue of Road & Track in front of me. They tested the new Maybach 57 which lists for $308,000.

The interior noise level at 70 mph is 66 db. Maybe, it is because they use huge 275/50R-19 tires. Or maybe, it is because the car is all hype.

I always thought that luxury cars were supposed to be quiet.

Especially, ones that cost more than most peoples houses.

[AZhitman]

I would be grateful if I could get scans of the article!

As would I, Rex!

Thanks man!

(p.s. If you don't have a scanner, mail it to me and I'll scan/post it for all to see).

[EWT]

Noise level comparisoins between cars and especially between magazines are fairly meaningless because the road surface and wind have a huge impact on noise level, not to mention position of the sound meter, weigting method used etc. I think my 93 was quieter than my 95 despite the fact that the 94+ cars are supposed to be quieter.

[elwesso]

Its weird...... I think the Q almost knows what your thinking....... When your cruising, the engine is completely silent, and all you hear is road noise (minimal)....... But you give it a little throttle, and it roars to life...... Which is what you want when you hit it!!!!

Just another reason I am proud to own a Q!!!

[maxnix]

Noise level comparisoins between cars and especially between magazines are fairly meaningless because the road surface and wind have a huge impact on noise level, not to mention position of the sound meter, weigting method used etc. I think my 93 was quieter than my 95 despite the fact that the 94+ cars are supposed to be quieter.

While environmental conditions, especially road surfaces and tires, microphone placement and frequency weighting do have have a large effect on noise measurement, similar methods at the same time under the same conditions should yield relatively valuable comparisons between examples tested.

Note that any difference less 3dB at 1000 Hertz is not discernable to most over 35 males.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

Discover the power of the button!

[EWT]

While environmental conditions, especially road surfaces and tires, microphone placement and frequency weighting do have have a large effect on noise measurement, similar methods at the same time under the same conditions should yield relatively valuable comparisons between examples tested.

Correct, but I'm not sure car magazines are consistent with that with their own tests, especially over 10+ years, and different car magazines almost certainly use different locations/testing methodologies, so comparing a C & D test of the Q45 from 1989 to a R & T test of a Maybach in 2003 isn't valid. Without having driven one, I feel pretty confident in saying the Maybach is quieter.

[AZhitman]

However, even if it's off by 3 dB one way or the other, who cares? It's still impressive for the Q.

[maxnix]

Little correlation for different cars in different locations at different times with different equipment placement or different equipment. But all reported levels are probably within 6dB at ear level in the center of the car.

What is most unhelpful is the dB vs. frequency spectrum data is not presented graphically. Different cars can have the same level at 1000 Hz, but one can have more energy at a lower frequency, which will prove to be more tiresome and intrusive.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

Discover the power of the button!

[tkd_q45]

From March 1995 - Road & Track, Elite Eights Comparison Road Test[B/]

About this article - I own/drive both a 92Q and a 92 400e MBZ (similar to the e420 in the comparison, the e420 only has minor cosmetic changes as well as a bit more tweaked engine managment vs my 92, dispite this the 400e420 still is SLOW off the line)

They rated the gearboxes as being equal (both 8.5 scores) NOT the MBZ gearbox SUCKS vs the Q's quick response. They claimed that the MBZ had interior noise of 66db while the Q was 65db. NHV is SUPERIOR in the Q. Driving position - again the MBZ came in ahead of the Q. The Q's ergos are SUPERIOR - the MBZ doesn't even have a tilt wheel! The AC is noisy enough on a hot day to really fatigue the driver and it's analog interface is slow to change air temp. You only have 2 selectable speed settings on the fan - low and hi and it's up to the "auto" setting to get anything in between. Bottom line is that the MBZ lacks refinement, which was not discussed in this article. If the price weren't so high it might excuse the shortcomings.

True the MBZ is more of a drivers car, but I think R&T's analysis was unfaily biased towards the MBZ.

I should ad that in 400e is a much costlier vehicle to own. Thank God I didn't pay full retail or I'd be PISSED!

AZhitman - check out this website

http://web.tampabay.rr.com/actionfit/home.html

[maxnix]

Thanks for the insightful commentary.__________________Brian1995 Q45 & Q45t

Discover the power of the button!

[Rex]

I would be grateful if I could get scans of the article!

I'll work on getting it scanned, if not I'll mail it to AZ.

[AZhitman]

Cool site, TKD. I should have you shoot pics of my Q like that!

[Jason B]

Well, the LS430 at 70 mph is 71db. That is quiet. The new Q is about the same at that speed or identical to the LS430 at 70, some say the Q is quieter. I've you've ever been in a LS, I don't know how much quiter you can get. It's QUIET.

From one article:

"At speeds in excess of 75 mph, the Q isolated wind noise better than the LS (perhaps because of its swoopier profile)"

If anyone cares...

2002 Q45 at idle: 42 db VS 2002 ls430 at idle: 47db

2002 Q45 maximum 1st gear: 67 db VS 2002 ls430: 71db

[Rex]

AZ, you have email.

[tkd_q45]

AZhitman - Hope you didn't think that that was MY website! I could only DREAM of modding my Benz like that guy has! I have to put all the money into keeping it running leaving NO money for mods

[elwesso]

Part of the joys of owning a benz!!!!