Acoustic Comfort Package....My only disappointment
#1
Acoustic Comfort Package....My only disappointment
This is by no means a complaint as I love the car. This is more to provide my opinion about the ACP option for potential buyers considering it in their build. If I had to do it over again, I don’t know if I would select the ACP option. It’s not because I feel it deadens the exhaust note too much, rather, I don’t think it deadens the road noise as much as I was hoping. The whole reason I selected the option was so I could close the exhaust valves and have the quietest cabin possible.
I understand the tires and their low profile nature will transmit more road noise than a typical profile tire. However, IMO, it’s excessively noisy for a car in this category despite playing with the tire pressure. The Michelin Sport 4s are great tires and little pebbles stick to them and get thrown at the inner fender wells. I can hear these pebbles bouncing off as if there is no sound deadening. I can also hear the road somewhat loudly when the road surface is less than smooth. About as much as the average economy car (little sound deadening). There is more to the ACP than (the supposedly) thicker sound deadening. It does come with a sound absorbing film with UV blocking on the windows. For anyone getting their windows tinted (probably everyone), would likely get ceramic tint to provide the same UV blocking so I don’t know that you’d be missing out on much here.
Unfortunately, I can’t compare the E63 S without the ACP because there were none available for me to test drive. I do wonder if the cars without it are significantly louder though. In any case, just my honest opinion about the ACP. Anyone else have it? Feel free to post your thoughts about it. I know some have said it deadens the exhaust too much. I’m curious if anyone else feels the car has a lot of road noise with or without the ACP.
I understand the tires and their low profile nature will transmit more road noise than a typical profile tire. However, IMO, it’s excessively noisy for a car in this category despite playing with the tire pressure. The Michelin Sport 4s are great tires and little pebbles stick to them and get thrown at the inner fender wells. I can hear these pebbles bouncing off as if there is no sound deadening. I can also hear the road somewhat loudly when the road surface is less than smooth. About as much as the average economy car (little sound deadening). There is more to the ACP than (the supposedly) thicker sound deadening. It does come with a sound absorbing film with UV blocking on the windows. For anyone getting their windows tinted (probably everyone), would likely get ceramic tint to provide the same UV blocking so I don’t know that you’d be missing out on much here.
Unfortunately, I can’t compare the E63 S without the ACP because there were none available for me to test drive. I do wonder if the cars without it are significantly louder though. In any case, just my honest opinion about the ACP. Anyone else have it? Feel free to post your thoughts about it. I know some have said it deadens the exhaust too much. I’m curious if anyone else feels the car has a lot of road noise with or without the ACP.
#2
Likewise, I haven't had the chance to compare the car with another that doesn't have the acoustic package.
I, on the other hand, was pleased with the low cabin noise. My car came with Pirelli tires, not sure how much difference that makes.
But compared to the other vehicles I own or have ridden in, this car was much quieter. We spent multiple hours in the car at a time driving about Europe and were able to carry on conversations in the car at more or less normal conversational volume - even with rear seat passengers. Something that I can't do in any of my other cars.
Of course it's not fair to compare it to my Jeep Wrangler or the F-250, but its still quite a bit quieter than the Honda Odyssey. Having ridden in various sedans of my friends and rental cars, it seems quieter than those too - though it may be just my memory.
The engineer in me understands that a real test with a sound meter in each car to measure the difference would be the way to go.
I, on the other hand, was pleased with the low cabin noise. My car came with Pirelli tires, not sure how much difference that makes.
But compared to the other vehicles I own or have ridden in, this car was much quieter. We spent multiple hours in the car at a time driving about Europe and were able to carry on conversations in the car at more or less normal conversational volume - even with rear seat passengers. Something that I can't do in any of my other cars.
Of course it's not fair to compare it to my Jeep Wrangler or the F-250, but its still quite a bit quieter than the Honda Odyssey. Having ridden in various sedans of my friends and rental cars, it seems quieter than those too - though it may be just my memory.
The engineer in me understands that a real test with a sound meter in each car to measure the difference would be the way to go.
#3
Likewise, I haven't had the chance to compare the car with another that doesn't have the acoustic package.
I, on the other hand, was pleased with the low cabin noise. My car came with Pirelli tires, not sure how much difference that makes.
But compared to the other vehicles I own or have ridden in, this car was much quieter. We spent multiple hours in the car at a time driving about Europe and were able to carry on conversations in the car at more or less normal conversational volume - even with rear seat passengers. Something that I can't do in any of my other cars.
Of course it's not fair to compare it to my Jeep Wrangler or the F-250, but its still quite a bit quieter than the Honda Odyssey. Having ridden in various sedans of my friends and rental cars, it seems quieter than those too - though it may be just my memory.
The engineer in me understands that a real test with a sound meter in each car to measure the difference would be the way to go.
I, on the other hand, was pleased with the low cabin noise. My car came with Pirelli tires, not sure how much difference that makes.
But compared to the other vehicles I own or have ridden in, this car was much quieter. We spent multiple hours in the car at a time driving about Europe and were able to carry on conversations in the car at more or less normal conversational volume - even with rear seat passengers. Something that I can't do in any of my other cars.
Of course it's not fair to compare it to my Jeep Wrangler or the F-250, but its still quite a bit quieter than the Honda Odyssey. Having ridden in various sedans of my friends and rental cars, it seems quieter than those too - though it may be just my memory.
The engineer in me understands that a real test with a sound meter in each car to measure the difference would be the way to go.
#4
Test drove a non acoustic E43, the car really sounds hollow and tinny, like a Kia or Hyundai.
Now this might be cos I stepped out of a 2018 Panamera into that. The Panamera felt so much better insulated than the E did.
Edit: Just realized how random my post was in this.
My point was to ask, does the acoustic package give a more muffled solid feel on the Es than the non acoustic versions? For anyone who has driven a Panamera, can you weigh in??
Now this might be cos I stepped out of a 2018 Panamera into that. The Panamera felt so much better insulated than the E did.
Edit: Just realized how random my post was in this.
My point was to ask, does the acoustic package give a more muffled solid feel on the Es than the non acoustic versions? For anyone who has driven a Panamera, can you weigh in??
Last edited by kponti; 01-15-2018 at 12:07 PM.
#5
Ok, on my way home just now, I took some measurements with my Decibel X app (iPhone). On a relatively smooth part of the road, I got an average reading of 80db and on a coarser section, it was 92db. That’s loud. The readings were taken in between the front seats and with the phone in my hand (so it wasn’t getting direct vibrations from the car). I know it’s not the most accurate measurement and I’ll have to compare it to my other cars but I’m pretty sure it’s not me just expecting too much for an E Class sedan. Yeah, it’s an AMG version but at the cruising speed of 65mph, I could not hear the exhaust note. Just a lot of tire/road noise. Oh well, not the end of the world but I think it’s potentially useful information for someone out there.
#6
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'03 E55, Range Rover Sport Supercharged, Ducati 748R
My W212 E63 has far more road noise than both of my previous W211 E55s. I think it has more to do with the stiffer suspension than anything else so I’d imagine the W213 E63 is even worse. My 2004 E55 still has almost zero rattles with twice the miles because of the suspension whereas the 2012 is another story.
#7
Good point. I would imagine the firm suspension is contributing to it as well. I also think the stiff sidewall, low profile tires are a significant factor too. Despite all this, I’m not overly bothered by it. Just a bit of a disappointment in the ACP.
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#8
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2020 Audi R8 V10, 2016 AMG GTS, 2018 E63S Edition 1, 2018 Porsche GTS Cab, 2012 C63 BS
So I read all the posts here and then took my car out today. The roads are wide open and I was able to really get the car going from WOT at a dig up to speeds past 140 mph. The exhaust can definitely be heard; Ive only driven a non ACP car a few times but in reality the noise was still there from the exhaust but clearly it had to be at WOT. I think the ACP does its job numbing the sounds of the exhaust from lower rpms. As for the road noise, I find that the suspension dynamics play a big role here. The car is so taut and connected to the road that every thing I feel can also be attributed to my hearing and vice versa. I dont mind this- road feel to me connects me more to the road and its conditions especially when Im driving the hard aggressively.
I have no doubt our cars are loud with the PE as the DB's measured at the Lightning Lap were the loudest of any car. With all this being said I would not have got the ACP but it was part of the ED1 package.
I have no doubt our cars are loud with the PE as the DB's measured at the Lightning Lap were the loudest of any car. With all this being said I would not have got the ACP but it was part of the ED1 package.
#9
Today I compared my daily driver which is a 2013 Lexus CT200H. Not known for being quiet. In fact, I believe most owners complain about the road noise and I definitely think it's loud. Driving on the same stretch of road and at the same speed (65mph). The CT200H measured about 85db on the smooth stretch, using the same app on my phone. 5db is significant so at least my E63 S is not as noisy as the CT200H. I do notice the my E63 S (with the ACP) does a good job suppressing noise from other cars as well as wind noise. It's just road noise that's a bit loud when the surface is not ideal. Which really narrows the cause to the firm suspension and low profile tires with stiff sidewalls (performance tires). It makes me realize that while it's probably not a night and day difference from an E63 S without the ACP, it must be quieter with it. So I am glad I opted for it considering how loud it would likely be if I didn't have it.
#10
Today I compared my daily driver which is a 2013 Lexus CT200H. Not known for being quiet. In fact, I believe most owners complain about the road noise and I definitely think it's loud. Driving on the same stretch of road and at the same speed (65mph). The CT200H measured about 85db on the smooth stretch, using the same app on my phone. 5db is significant so at least my E63 S is not as noisy as the CT200H. I do notice the my E63 S (with the ACP) does a good job suppressing noise from other cars as well as wind noise. It's just road noise that's a bit loud when the surface is not ideal. Which really narrows the cause to the firm suspension and low profile tires with stiff sidewalls (performance tires). It makes me realize that while it's probably not a night and day difference from an E63 S without the ACP, it must be quieter with it. So I am glad I opted for it considering how loud it would likely be if I didn't have it.
edit: and, yeah, the supension on this car is tuned to be very, very tight
Last edited by Ralcbah; 01-15-2018 at 07:51 PM.
#11
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560 and 2019 E450 Wagon.
I use to drive VW's, I had a 2015 TDI Wagon last car, that car got a real lot of road noise over grainy pavement similar to the AMG Wagon I have. Thats suspension was very tight to, I guess a lot of it does have to do with the tightness of the suspension and think maybe the fender walls are fairly thin plastic in both cars. I know in both cars I can hear it when little pebbles off the road hit the inside of the fender skirts, a lot of cars you can't hear this sort of thing.
#13
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2020 Audi R8 V10, 2016 AMG GTS, 2018 E63S Edition 1, 2018 Porsche GTS Cab, 2012 C63 BS
#14
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From: Venice Florida
2018 S560 and 2019 E450 Wagon.
strange though ugh all the tire noise on grainy pavement? Not really sure why? My 2013 CTS V wagon did not seem to get this and it used PSS tires. My 212 got all this road noise too and as the front tires wore you’d get a lot of tire noise from the front end when getting on the brakes at slow speeds. I guess maybe it’s alignment settings or something. I know with my 212 at least it had camber issues.
#15
My fenders have a fiber like plastic liner but I wouldn’t call it carpet like. It’s hard and when I tap on it with a finger nail, it’s loud. I now know why the pebbles bouncing off it can be heard so easily. Makes we want to pull them off and line them with some sort of sound deadening material.
#16
Today I compared my daily driver which is a 2013 Lexus CT200H. Not known for being quiet. In fact, I believe most owners complain about the road noise and I definitely think it's loud. Driving on the same stretch of road and at the same speed (65mph). The CT200H measured about 85db on the smooth stretch, using the same app on my phone. 5db is significant so at least my E63 S is not as noisy as the CT200H. I do notice the my E63 S (with the ACP) does a good job suppressing noise from other cars as well as wind noise. It's just road noise that's a bit loud when the surface is not ideal. Which really narrows the cause to the firm suspension and low profile tires with stiff sidewalls (performance tires). It makes me realize that while it's probably not a night and day difference from an E63 S without the ACP, it must be quieter with it. So I am glad I opted for it considering how loud it would likely be if I didn't have it.
52db idle at stop light
75db cruising at 60mph
84db hard acceleration
All on very nice smooth roads with no wind.
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BC-2 (01-30-2018)
#17
#19
#20
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
#22
And to give some idea, every 6 dB is a doubling of sound pressure level. Basically 20 log(p/p0) where p is the RMS (root mean square) sound pressure level in pascals (Pa) and p0 is the reference sound pressure (20 uPa) (roughly the sound of a mosquito flying 3 ft away from your ear).
While a 6 dB change is doubling of sound pressure, to the human ear, roughly a 10 dB change results in a doubling of perceived volume.
So a car with a sound level 10 dB higher than another car would sound twice as loud.
Admittedly, I looked some of this up just now I deal with dBs ever day, but more related to radio than sound level. But it's pretty similar math wise.
While a 6 dB change is doubling of sound pressure, to the human ear, roughly a 10 dB change results in a doubling of perceived volume.
So a car with a sound level 10 dB higher than another car would sound twice as loud.
Admittedly, I looked some of this up just now I deal with dBs ever day, but more related to radio than sound level. But it's pretty similar math wise.
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BC-2 (01-31-2018)
#23
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The best or nothing
My W212 E63 has far more road noise than both of my previous W211 E55s. I think it has more to do with the stiffer suspension than anything else so I’d imagine the W213 E63 is even worse. My 2004 E55 still has almost zero rattles with twice the miles because of the suspension whereas the 2012 is another story.
#24
And to give some idea, every 6 dB is a doubling of sound pressure level. Basically 20 log(p/p0) where p is the RMS (root mean square) sound pressure level in pascals (Pa) and p0 is the reference sound pressure (20 uPa) (roughly the sound of a mosquito flying 3 ft away from your ear).
While a 6 dB change is doubling of sound pressure, to the human ear, roughly a 10 dB change results in a doubling of perceived volume.
So a car with a sound level 10 dB higher than another car would sound twice as loud.
Admittedly, I looked some of this up just now I deal with dBs ever day, but more related to radio than sound level. But it's pretty similar math wise.
While a 6 dB change is doubling of sound pressure, to the human ear, roughly a 10 dB change results in a doubling of perceived volume.
So a car with a sound level 10 dB higher than another car would sound twice as loud.
Admittedly, I looked some of this up just now I deal with dBs ever day, but more related to radio than sound level. But it's pretty similar math wise.
#25
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From: Dallas, TX
1996 S500 Sedan, 2007 CLK350 Cabriolet
Ok, on my way home just now, I took some measurements with my Decibel X app (iPhone). On a relatively smooth part of the road, I got an average reading of 80db and on a coarser section, it was 92db. That’s loud. The readings were taken in between the front seats and with the phone in my hand (so it wasn’t getting direct vibrations from the car). I know it’s not the most accurate measurement and I’ll have to compare it to my other cars but I’m pretty sure it’s not me just expecting too much for an E Class sedan. Yeah, it’s an AMG version but at the cruising speed of 65mph, I could not hear the exhaust note. Just a lot of tire/road noise. Oh well, not the end of the world but I think it’s potentially useful information for someone out there.
I have been considering the new E class with the acoustic package, but those levels suck!!!! (Pardon my French) I think if someone is considering the acoustic package, then any MENTION of "exhaust note" is irrelevant. I don't want to hear a BIT of noise, from car or engine or road!80-90 dB is outrageous for a Benz with "acoustic package"! Even an AMG (which my son owns C63)
Thanks for the info...