Woosh

[CALL_911]

So I drove my friend's 9-3 today, and true to what I've heard about turbos, it had this excellent "woosh" sound at around 2.5k or so. I know the VW 1.8T has this, but how come our A4's 2.0T doesn't have any such sound? Same for the BMW (N54), why no "woosh?" Does it have to do with the direct injection, and if so, can you explain that to me?

[Speed_Racer]

Sound deadening? Size of the turbo? Hi-pressure vs. low-pressure turbos? I'd be interested to know the technical reasons, but those are always to what I've always attributed the presence or lack of woosh.

[S204STi]

Probably has something to do with sound deadening.   Also, I believe the turbos on the BMW are variable-vane which means they do not have a waste gate.  I believe some of the sound you hear is the waste gate opening slightly to finely control boost pressures, causing that faint whistle or hooting sound that old-style turbo cars like mine, the Saab 2.3T or a Jetta 1.8T make.  Because the variable vane turbo simply varies the pitch of the turbine blades to control turbine speeds, I'm guessing you lose some of those noises.

[Raza]

My car has it, but it's not as pronounced as on the 1.8T.  I'm assuming it's down to sound deadening. 

[Rupert]

... I don't think I've ever driven a car with a turbo... 0_o

[Eye of the Tiger]

whoooooppshahawwwww

[nickdrinkwater]

... I don't think I've ever driven a car with a turbo... 0_o

I've driven turbo diesels...does that count?

[Raza]

... I don't think I've ever driven a car with a turbo... 0_o

You've owned, and I'm ballparking here, 43,617 cars in the past three years and you've never had a turbo?

[Rupert]

Oh, c'mon, Raza, it's right there in the sig.

When you buy shitty old cars, you don't want a turbo.

[The Pirate]

Oh, c'mon, Raza, it's right there in the sig.

When you buy shitty old cars, you don't want a turbo.

That's very true!  I wouldn't even want a turbo if the car was otherwise nice, but had over 100K miles.

[CALL_911]

That's very true!  I wouldn't even want a turbo if the car was otherwise nice, but had over 100K miles.

And that is why I will make my parents sell the A4 at 96k miles.

[The Pirate]

Well, 100K is an arbitrary number (some may last 80K, some may last 150K), but you get the point.  It's a wear item, and it's not a cheap repair, nor one you can ignore.  At this point in the game, I want a car with minimal operating costs.

[Raza]

Oh, c'mon, Raza, it's right there in the sig.

When you buy shitty old cars, you don't want a turbo.

Ah, so I was right. 

Turbos are always good.  Everything should be turbocharged.  When Hamilton Beach comes out with a turbocharged blender, I'll be first in line. 

[MrH]

I wasn't much of a turbo fan until I drove a 9-3 Viggen...

Doodle around in third gear, hit a highway entrance ramp.  When you heard the whoosh, off you went.  It just exploded.  It was fannnnntastic.

[S204STi]

That's very true!  I wouldn't even want a turbo if the car was otherwise nice, but had over 100K miles.

Depending on the car there is frequently aftermarket support which allows for a rebuild rather than a replacement.  Significantly cheaper, and for a car with 100k mi you sort of have to expect big repairs at some point anyway.

But I understand your hesitance.

[S204STi]

I wasn't much of a turbo fan until I drove a 9-3 Viggen...

Doodle around in third gear, hit a highway entrance ramp.  When you heard the whoosh, off you went.  It just exploded.  It was fannnnntastic.

I was unable to really let it rip in the one I drove... just doodled around town.  I kinda wish I had though.  At first I was like "wtf this thing is weak" till I was later informed that they limit torque in the first two gears.

[Raza]

I was unable to really let it rip in the one I drove... just doodled around town.  I kinda wish I had though.  At first I was like "wtf this thing is weak" till I was later informed that they limit torque in the first two gears.

I left behind a 360 when I was driving it.  Cracking little car.