Insulated glass or rear wiper? (First post by a Porsche newbie.)

[Jonny McCann]

I’ve never sat in a Porsche, let alone driven one (so please be kind), but currently have a Macan 4 Electric on order, yet to go into build.

My previous car was a high-spec. Jaguar F-Pace 3.0d, and I’m currently using a Tesla Model Y Long Range until my Macan is delivered.

The big dilemma is the option of either thermally and noise insulated glass or a rear wiper (as the two together are not available on a Macan 4 Electric).

I live in North West England, which has a temperate, damp climate, where roads are salted in the winter when a severe frost is forecast.

My driving is typically on main roads with less than perfect surfaces, and where the speed limit is generally 50 MPH. I also use motorways regularly but seldom drive in cities.

The insulated glass option seems attractive if it really cuts out noise, but I’m not sure if it’s good enough to merit losing the rear wiper. I’d love a quiet cabin (as I had with the Jaguar), but may miss a rear wiper (as I do with the Tesla). I’m not at all concerned at how a rear wiper might affect the aerodynamics or aesthetics of the car.

My Macan order currently includes adaptive air suspension.

Could any contributors to this forum offer any experience-based advice?

Also, is a heated windscreen necessary on an EV? Has anyone any experience of the Macan Electric’s heated windscreen?

Finally, I see that side airbags in the rear compartment are optional on the Macan 4 Electric. Porsche explained that this refers to additional airbags that would need to be deactivated when fitting a child seat in the rear. I don’t expect to have passengers in the rear compartment, let alone children, but would worry that if I don’t opt for all the safety features available, I could be putting my (rare) back seat passengers at risk.

I'd be very grateful for advice or pointers for thins to consider from contributors to MacanEVOwners.

 

[tmrqs]

Hi @Jonny McCann, start with these 2 threads, they may answer your question.

- Thread 1
- Thread 2

 

[TomO]

I was in the same spot trying to make the decision. Now that I have mine I can say the car is super quiet with the standard glass. And I really like having the rear wiper. So super happy with my decision to skip the glass upgrade and get the wiper.

 

[Salmonfisher]

I have had a Polestar in UK where wipers are not an option and they are lower and you would expect more spray to be thrown up. Apart from occasionally reversing in heavy rain I have never missed a wiper ( and I was nervous about it) certainly never any issue once moving. My dealer strongly recommends against and claims the turbulence affects range although others have pointed out the configuration only show a small loss.
Anyway I haven’t included one on my 4 on order

 

[bibilon2024]

I had two test drives today: Macan 4 without insulated glass and a Macan Turbo with insulated glass. I drove exactly the same route, and found it hard to hear difference. If speed is below say 40 miles, the car is super quiet. Driving on the motorway with 70mph was noisier than expected, especially as I am used to hear the combination of tyre and motor noise. The sales guy measured the noise level on the motorway and difference between insulated and non-insulated glass was about 2.5 decibels. This is not much and I am happy that I now don't have to ponder for the next few years if I should have delayed my order

 

[Awaz]

@bibilon2024

Good to know.
And what size tyres were they?

 

[Mr_Frenchy]

Thanks for the feedback, very helpful
Did both cars have the same wheels / tires and what were they , 20, 21 or 22" ?

 

[bibilon2024]

@bibilon2024

Good to know.
And what size tyres were they?

21 inches (both)

 

[byebye]

I had two test drives today: Macan 4 without insulated glass and a Macan Turbo with insulated glass. I drove exactly the same route, and found it hard to hear difference. If speed is below say 40 miles, the car is super quiet. Driving on the motorway with 70mph was noisier than expected, especially as I am used to hear the combination of tyre and motor noise. The sales guy measured the noise level on the motorway and difference between insulated and non-insulated glass was about 2.5 decibels. This is not much and I am happy that I now don't have to ponder for the next few years if I should have delayed my order

Actually, that’s a big difference, almost twice as much… (even though your hear/brain doesn’t interpret things like this: you need +10db to get the sensation of twice as much noise.)