my sub is pretty loud at speed. i attribute some of the noise to Subaru using a frameless door window. i don't think it seals as well a door with a frame.
So what is your opinion? Am i wrong?
So what is your opinion? Am i wrong?
which is quieter, framed or frameless side windows
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Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
My brothers 96' Lexus ES300 is pretty loud (frameless) but there are some framed windows that are loud. I think it depends on the age of the vehicle and the design. My aunt's 2013 TDI Beetle is frameless and is silent going down the road. Who knows what it'll be like once it ages
JHZR2
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My 81 240D is framed. My 82 300CD is frameless. Even with a window misalignment, I have never noted real wind issues with the 300CD (wind, versus road noise seems to be the issue).
Now my 135i is a convertible, so has frameless windows. They seal well and dont leak air, but because the top has some give to it versus a hardtop, I do get an ocasional squeak on really bad roads. But that probably means that I need to lube it more than anything.
Ive heard that frameless is louder. Practically speaking, I cant say that Ive noticed it.
Now my 135i is a convertible, so has frameless windows. They seal well and dont leak air, but because the top has some give to it versus a hardtop, I do get an ocasional squeak on really bad roads. But that probably means that I need to lube it more than anything.
Ive heard that frameless is louder. Practically speaking, I cant say that Ive noticed it.
The door or window might need an adjustment. I had a car with loud window on the drivers side, the door was slightly out too far.
Put a piece of paper in the window seal at different points with the window up and close the door on it. If the paper pulls out easily with little resistance something needs adjustment or it has a bad seal.
Put a piece of paper in the window seal at different points with the window up and close the door on it. If the paper pulls out easily with little resistance something needs adjustment or it has a bad seal.
I hear that $13 tube of Hondas Shin Etsu lube massaged into rubber door and roof seals is the business
Gotta do my Camry one of these days, wind noise galore.
Gotta do my Camry one of these days, wind noise galore.
The one that seals better will be quieter. Odds are that'll be the framed window, but there are no guarantees.
As trav stated. Do a paper test as the window may need adjustment. Frameless windows are supposed to be quieter.
I've never had much love for frameless windows. A real frame can provide a more consistent seal. I wonder why most doors use framed windows (seriously). Is it due to a better seal? Or better crash worthiness?
The Neon was frameless, and it didn't seal that well at high speeds. I would rather have frames as I've never had a window that didn't seal well.
FWIW the frameless side windows in the Challenger seal very well and are quiet. BUT, the window goes up 1/2 an inch or so when you close the door. The Ford Mustang and the new Camaro do this too.
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
FWIW the frameless side windows in the Challenger seal very well and are quiet. BUT, the window goes up 1/2 an inch or so when you close the door. The Ford Mustang and the new Camaro do this too.
I think this should be a requirement with frameless windows. My first car, a RWD Olds Cutlass, had frameless windows. They didn't seal well, and for a variety of reasons. One of which was that their only real means of sealing was inward pressure by the window against the top rail seal. The difficulty in my car was compounded by the fact that it had T-tops (but the hardtop ones had the same frameless design). And secondly, they certainly didn't automatically extend another 1/2" after the door was closed. That was way before body control modules made that possible, at least at that price point (about $15k; pretty heady for its day).
I fail to see a benefit of frameless windows on a car that is not also offered as a convertible (Subaru).
FWIW the frameless side windows in the Challenger seal very well and are quiet. BUT, the window goes up 1/2 an inch or so when you close the door. The Ford Mustang and the new Camaro do this too.
I think this should be a requirement with frameless windows. My first car, a RWD Olds Cutlass, had frameless windows. They didn't seal well, and for a variety of reasons. One of which was that their only real means of sealing was inward pressure by the window against the top rail seal. The difficulty in my car was compounded by the fact that it had T-tops (but the hardtop ones had the same frameless design). And secondly, they certainly didn't automatically extend another 1/2" after the door was closed. That was way before body control modules made that possible, at least at that price point (about $15k; pretty heady for its day).
I fail to see a benefit of frameless windows on a car that is not also offered as a convertible (Subaru).
Depends on how their done, on Mercedes when you open the door the frameless windows retract out of the seal.
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I've driven or been in vehicles with framed windows, and they were loud on the hiwy and in other vehicles with frameless windows that were very quiet.
Like hattaresguy said, it depends on how it's done!
Like hattaresguy said, it depends on how it's done!
I'm an old timer who prefers simplicity, but have given in to the technology and kind of like it (LOL until it breaks). Pretty cool how far cars have come in the last 40 years.
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