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MG MGF Technical - Hard Top & Noise Reduction

I'm struggling at the moment to decide whether I have to part with my F.

I guess that you'll all say that I shouldn't, but the issue for me is that I do about 24,000 miles per annum, most of it at 85-90 mph on the motorway and the noise levels are really quite high.

Question is: How much are the noise levels reduced by the addition of a hard top? After another winter of high noise levels I'm beginning to worry about the potential loss of hearing and I think I'll either have to buy a hard top or sell the F and get something a little (OK, a lot) quieter. Thing is I don't want to spend money on the hard top and then find that the benefit is minimal.

Thoughts gratefully received...

Chris
Chris

I don't have a hardtop myself but my neighbour Andy, across the street, has a similar spec car to me (even the colour). When I had a lift in his car with the hardtop on I was startled at how much quieter it was. Wish I had a hardtop now!

Bruce
Bruce Caldwell

Hi Chris,

I do similar mileage to you but 50/50split motorway to A roads and I'd say that the hard top is invaluable. It makes it much quieter in the cabin - more like a coupe.

Other points in its favour are the heated rear window and it's generally much warmer when the weather's bad...I generally have it on the car from mid November to March and would have gone insane without it!

Simon

Simon Martin

Chris

As a biker I was convinced by ear defenders (plugs) many years ago. I have been known to use them in the F on longer journeys, particularly on motorways, or in windy weather.

I've not yet tried at the sort of speeds you are used to as I don't often get to Germany :-)

Seriously, I do use ear plugs in the car if the noise levels get too high and also find that the hardtop makes it much quieter.

The increase in noise from Mondeo to F was very noticable but the F seems 'Rolls Royce like' after using the bike.
JohnP @home

With the hard top i'd say the noise was about the same at 120 as it is with the soft top at 80. it's much reduced. and well worth the investment during the winter imho
Kingsley

Hard top noise is slghtly higher than a normal saloon and a lot less that with the soft top up.
Brian

I have had my hardtop for @ 1 year and do long journeys. I have to admit the hardtop does make the cabin a bit quieter,but not much. Of course the wind noise is reduced but the tiring thing on long journeys is purley the constant noise of the engine. Unfortunately this isnt as easy to sort out. I have recently just brought a 3 series BMW, wow how fantanstic on long journeys. I am lucky, i intend to use the BM on long journeys, but on hot sunny days the F will come out to play !!!!!
Paul

Mine is much quieter with the hard top on. I also do a lot of motorway driving, which with the soft top can get very noisey. In the summer the top down feeling usually overcomes this....
Steve

Just to add my two pennies, Ive got a hardtop and at pressent have it up for sale, I agree with all the comments setout above, the things that makes me want to sell it are:

a. I'll be loosing my storage space soon as my dad is selling his house and I dont have a garage.
b. On those glorious bright crisp winter days I just cant drop the hood and go for a blast.

If anyone wants it drop me an email

Mark
Mark Catterall

Buy a hardtop and keep the Car,
Mike with Trophy (+ h/top) M2 VJN
Mike

This thread was discussed on 14/02/2003

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