Driving a convertible in the rain with the roof down.

[lxi]

I see you have an R230, which is on my radar at the moment. Is the noise bad in these? I have a 129 and I don't have a problem at all. Has anyone compared both models for top down noise levels?

The car itself is quiet - it's the noise of the other things that gets loud, particularly passing an HGV as you go under a bridge!

I've carried on driving when it starts to rain but not for any longer than I have to. With the R230, at anything over 30mph, there's not a drop lands on you.

You can drive along quite smugly until the rainwater from the windscreen reaches the top of the screen, after which it has nowhere else to go than round the edges, along the top of the side windows.

For about 2".

Then it drops over into the cabin

 

[Rory]

Don't think the police would consider it an emergency on a motorway just to get the roof up in the rain.

It might be considered dangerous to carry on?

Some friends of ours stopped on a hard-shoulder to let their kid have a wee - Police stopped to see what the problem was and just accepted the reason without further question. I'd have expected a least a lecture on the definition of "emergency".

 

[MD5]

The car itself is quiet - it's the noise of the other things that gets loud, particularly passing an HGV as you go under a bridge!

The 129 is no different, but I've never felt the noise was intrusive enough to put me off using it on a motorway, as Giantvanman has stated. I'm wondering if the 230 is less well protected than the 129 against noise/wind when the roof is down?

 

[Giantvanman]

I see you have an R230, which is on my radar at the moment. Is the noise bad in these? I have a 129 and I don't have a problem at all. Has anyone compared both models for top down noise levels?

No, the noise roof down is not bad. I am just fussy and would rather not listen to endless road tyre noise from other vehicles on certain types of road surface and lorry engines endlessly changing gear. It is background noise which detracts from my enjoyment of listening to music on the move and gets on my OCD nerves; should not be a concern to normal human beings.

Edit: Wind noise is most definitely not an issue top down. Nor is a general problem; just me and my OCD on motorways only………if you were closer, I would take you for a spin and you would see it was me and not the car.

 

[lxi]

No, the noise roof down is not bad. I am just fussy and would rather not listen to endless road tyre noise from other vehicles on certain types of road surface and lorry engines endlessly changing gear. It is background noise which detracts from my enjoyment of listening to music on the move and gets on my OCD nerves; should not be a concern to normal human beings.

Normal human beings don't buy R230s

 

[MD5]

Normal human beings don't buy R230s

Oh dear, that's almost sealed my fate! I blow hot and cold with the 230, but getting more tempted, and I am thinking about replacing my E500 estate if the right car comes along, so it's whatever comes first out of the two really!

Glad it's your ocd and not the model, GVM!

 

[lxi]

Oh dear, that's almost sealed my fate! I blow hot and cold with the 230, but getting more tempted, and I am thinking about replacing my E500 estate if the right car comes along, so it's whatever comes first out of the two really!

Glad it's your ocd and not the model, GVM!

Go for it I'm on my third - sure, I have some issues (most covered by third party warranty) but I really like the combination and love driving it. Had a senior moment a couple of years back & bought an Aston - beautiful to look but impossible to live with - style over substance - moving back to an R230 was like coming home again !

 

[F1BHP]

I drove my Caterham to a race near Leeds and drove back to London in the poring rain in my race suit which absorbed the water like a sponge after a our 20mins. Then my wipers broke with 1hour to go so I had to drive along using my hand to wipe the windscreen, then finally gave up and parked under a bridge for 30mins until it stopped. Not one of my best days.

 

[MD5]

I drove my Caterham to a race near Leeds and drove back to London in the poring rain in my race suit which absorbed the water like a sponge after a our 20mins. Then my wipers broke with 1hour to go so I had to drive along using my hand to wipe the windscreen, then finally gave up and parked under a bridge for 30mins until it stopped. Not one of my best days.

Sounds like the motoring equivalent of a day on tequila!!