Not happy with noise level - is there any way to make GS quieter?
06-16-16, 04:03 PM
#16
I do agree some what but I feel Ike the GS is pretty quite even with my 20" wheels and rubber band like tires. I use to own a 2013 Kia Optima SX turbo loaded with all the bells and whistles (33k) and I just couldn't stand the road noise. I felt like it was made out of paper. I got rid of that car even though it was mainly bought to be my daily driver so the RX wouldn't rack on too many miles. Now the GS is my daily driver and I love it.
I'm in the same boat. I was getting ready to gut the interior on my fully loaded Optima and decided to part ways after I test drove a GS 350. I had the engine go out on me at 32K miles and was experiencing steering problems that was enough for me to make the switch.
I will say that I had 2016 ES 350 as loaner car that was as quiet as a library.
06-16-16, 05:00 PM
#18
Another tangential thought. It is quite possible that the car is not noisy at all, and in fact probably quieter than pervious generation GS's, but the disassociated feeling that is with other cars is not there anymore. By that I mean the GS this generation, (and in particular the F-sport) has a very stiff suspension, has very grippy regenerative brakes (hybrid), has a better steering response, etc. etc. and thus you become more 'aware' of everything. You 'feel' every bump in the road, you 'feel' the wind resistance, and that can result in the 'perception' that the car is loud, while in fact the car is very quiet.
Its just a thought.
Its just a thought.
06-16-16, 05:53 PM
#19
Driver
Thread Starter
Maybe it's the sound generator?? This is a different model, but same motor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kz9DWz2BuU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kz9DWz2BuU
06-16-16, 07:54 PM
#20
You can change the intake without voiding your warranty, unless you do it in a way that causes damage or issues with the vehicle sensors & air filtration.
Probably the quietest car I've driven is a 745i. I have the Dunlops on my GS, so I've got road noise coming out of my ears. The wind noise is quite good, as is insulation from external sounds. I've got the ML with Lamisafe acoustic laminated glass.
One thing BMW designs for (and probably Audi) is chassis harmonics. The cars won't resonate with as much while driving and that keeps some noise down. I'm not sure the GS is similarly designed and I do feel it would benefit from a bit of additional sound-deadening material to insulate from the road -- but that adds some weight.
Probably the quietest car I've driven is a 745i. I have the Dunlops on my GS, so I've got road noise coming out of my ears. The wind noise is quite good, as is insulation from external sounds. I've got the ML with Lamisafe acoustic laminated glass.
One thing BMW designs for (and probably Audi) is chassis harmonics. The cars won't resonate with as much while driving and that keeps some noise down. I'm not sure the GS is similarly designed and I do feel it would benefit from a bit of additional sound-deadening material to insulate from the road -- but that adds some weight.
Last edited by spoogenet; 06-16-16 at 08:10 PM.
06-17-16, 12:46 PM
#21
Instructor
Back OT though, maybe your car could use an alignment? The P7 are known to be pretty quiet tires, it's strange you'd still find them to be "noisy".
06-17-16, 12:50 PM
#22
For anyone who currently has the tempered windows on their car, I've got an inquiry in with my dealership about whether a car with tempered windows can upgrade to the acoustic laminated windows.
As for road noise, I'm pretty sure that an acoustic barrier around the wheel wells is probably an important first step.
Turned out that my wheels were out of balance, so we'll see if that makes any difference for the noise level...
As for road noise, I'm pretty sure that an acoustic barrier around the wheel wells is probably an important first step.
Turned out that my wheels were out of balance, so we'll see if that makes any difference for the noise level...
06-17-16, 03:57 PM
#23
I have both 3GS and 4GS.
4GS has actually more wind resistance and more wind noise above the roof.
4GS engine is also louder, esp on wide opening throttle.
4GS has considerably noisier tires, esp on Dunlop Sport Maxx 050 above 50 mph; below 50 mph, the Dunlop Sport Maxx 050's are dead quiet!
Dunlop Sport Maxx 050's in 19" is much louder on the highway than 18".
The Bridgestone Potenzas fitted to the F Sport is much louder than the Dunlop Sport Maxx 050's IMO.
4GS is too firm on the springs - excellent steering response and terminal grip, but a very busy ride.
IMO, the 4GS's busy ride is far more apparent than the noise on cruising or full throttle.
I often feel 4GS liquid filled engine mounts and suspension mounts more isolated than 3GS.
Presently, the 4GS seems to have the one suspension set up only, with the F Sport "adding": electronic shockies, 19" rims and rear wheel steering etc; I believe Lexus should have two totally separate suspension set ups just like the Germans; one dedicated to genuine luxury, and the F Sport tune dedicated to sports.
Apart from Pirelli Cinturato P7 A/S, and maybe an aftermarket K&N air intake system etc for those who full throttle frequently, I think we must "accept" the current generation 4GS for its sportiness and noise; the ES is always there for those who want space, ride and refinement.
IMO, the NVH for 4GS is acceptable.
I personally classify my 4GS not as a pure luxury sedan, but as a sports-oriented luxury sedan, or even a sporting-luxury sedan.
I wouldn't want to go any firmer or louder than my Premium model with 18" as it is now.
On smooth roads, my 4GS is superb; however on pick-pocked roads, my 4GS can be tiring - then I wish I had an attractively styled 2007-12 4LS460; I don't like the mid-life updated styling of the current model 2012-17 4.5LS.
I think they made the current 4GS too sporty, and next gen 5GS will be smoother and more refined.
I can't wait till air suspension becomes an option on 5GS like it is on C and E Classes.
IMO, the current model Benz E350 is the smoothest and quietest riding in this class, but the current model E350's "corny" styling was unacceptable for me...
.
4GS has actually more wind resistance and more wind noise above the roof.
4GS engine is also louder, esp on wide opening throttle.
4GS has considerably noisier tires, esp on Dunlop Sport Maxx 050 above 50 mph; below 50 mph, the Dunlop Sport Maxx 050's are dead quiet!
Dunlop Sport Maxx 050's in 19" is much louder on the highway than 18".
The Bridgestone Potenzas fitted to the F Sport is much louder than the Dunlop Sport Maxx 050's IMO.
4GS is too firm on the springs - excellent steering response and terminal grip, but a very busy ride.
IMO, the 4GS's busy ride is far more apparent than the noise on cruising or full throttle.
I often feel 4GS liquid filled engine mounts and suspension mounts more isolated than 3GS.
Presently, the 4GS seems to have the one suspension set up only, with the F Sport "adding": electronic shockies, 19" rims and rear wheel steering etc; I believe Lexus should have two totally separate suspension set ups just like the Germans; one dedicated to genuine luxury, and the F Sport tune dedicated to sports.
Apart from Pirelli Cinturato P7 A/S, and maybe an aftermarket K&N air intake system etc for those who full throttle frequently, I think we must "accept" the current generation 4GS for its sportiness and noise; the ES is always there for those who want space, ride and refinement.
IMO, the NVH for 4GS is acceptable.
I personally classify my 4GS not as a pure luxury sedan, but as a sports-oriented luxury sedan, or even a sporting-luxury sedan.
I wouldn't want to go any firmer or louder than my Premium model with 18" as it is now.
On smooth roads, my 4GS is superb; however on pick-pocked roads, my 4GS can be tiring - then I wish I had an attractively styled 2007-12 4LS460; I don't like the mid-life updated styling of the current model 2012-17 4.5LS.
I think they made the current 4GS too sporty, and next gen 5GS will be smoother and more refined.
I can't wait till air suspension becomes an option on 5GS like it is on C and E Classes.
IMO, the current model Benz E350 is the smoothest and quietest riding in this class, but the current model E350's "corny" styling was unacceptable for me...
.
Last edited by peteharvey; 06-18-16 at 12:56 AM.
06-19-16, 08:47 PM
#24
For anyone who currently has the tempered windows on their car, I've got an inquiry in with my dealership about whether a car with tempered windows can upgrade to the acoustic laminated windows.
As for road noise, I'm pretty sure that an acoustic barrier around the wheel wells is probably an important first step.
Turned out that my wheels were out of balance, so we'll see if that makes any difference for the noise level...
As for road noise, I'm pretty sure that an acoustic barrier around the wheel wells is probably an important first step.
Turned out that my wheels were out of balance, so we'll see if that makes any difference for the noise level...
06-19-16, 11:21 PM
#25
Download sound meter, what db's are you?
06-20-16, 05:18 AM
#26
The truth is that, even with the tempered windows, there's not a lot of noise that comes in - I think that road noise is way more a weakness of this car than wind noise or noise from the rest of traffic. I remember my old Mazda 3, where I could practically check my blind spots by ear. Not so in the GS!
06-20-16, 06:26 AM
#27
Coming from a Bmw 535 with M package I don't mind the harsh ride of the F Sports yeah but when I drive my brothers LS it's in a league of its own when it comes to road noise and comfort.
06-20-16, 06:50 AM
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Tires are HUGELY important to how a Lexus rides and how quiet the experience is. Thats been the case in every Lexus I've owned, including the LS. If you want to do one thing that will have a big impact on noise when underway, replace the tires with something really quiet.
On good tires, my GS was very quiet. My LS is quieter obviously but even with it, I replaced the tires with better tires at 7k miles and the difference in road noise was substantial.
On good tires, my GS was very quiet. My LS is quieter obviously but even with it, I replaced the tires with better tires at 7k miles and the difference in road noise was substantial.
06-20-16, 08:05 AM
#29
Tires are HUGELY important to how a Lexus rides and how quiet the experience is. Thats been the case in every Lexus I've owned, including the LS. If you want to do one thing that will have a big impact on noise when underway, replace the tires with something really quiet.
On good tires, my GS was very quiet. My LS is quieter obviously but even with it, I replaced the tires with better tires at 7k miles and the difference in road noise was substantial.
On good tires, my GS was very quiet. My LS is quieter obviously but even with it, I replaced the tires with better tires at 7k miles and the difference in road noise was substantial.
I've been using the Primacy MXM4. I have yet to find a tire as quiet as my old Primacy MXV4s, but that might have to do with the fact that they were 205s and not 235s...
When it comes time to replace my tires, I'll have a hard choice to make between picking something that's quiet and comfortable and something that kicks ***. I bet the car would be an absolute hoot to drive with a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports!
06-20-16, 08:38 AM
#30
Driver
Thread Starter
Tires are HUGELY important to how a Lexus rides and how quiet the experience is. Thats been the case in every Lexus I've owned, including the LS. If you want to do one thing that will have a big impact on noise when underway, replace the tires with something really quiet.
On good tires, my GS was very quiet. My LS is quieter obviously but even with it, I replaced the tires with better tires at 7k miles and the difference in road noise was substantial.
On good tires, my GS was very quiet. My LS is quieter obviously but even with it, I replaced the tires with better tires at 7k miles and the difference in road noise was substantial.
Last edited by neilsarkar; 06-20-16 at 11:17 AM.