How to rent a car quiet on the inside – Netherlands

7/8/2021 8:31:37 AM

Just some thoughts:

I would get a Mercedes E, but the BMW 5xx are the same class when renting. The Mercedes is optimized for comfort and silent, the BWW is trying to be a sports car, so the tires and suspension are very hard. I think we had a Volvo XC40 once and it was very silent. Volkswagen is maybe in the middle.

Rental cars often run on winter tires all year, which are louder than normal ones.

And the new cars have runflat-tires, which are also louder than normal ones, but that’s something you cannot change.

If you really want quiet you can try the Mercedes S-Klasse, but that usually costs double.

7/8/2021 10:12:40 AM

Here are a few things you can do:

  • Rent a car in a higher category (a Fiat Panda is typically the cheapest one you can get). There are still differences between different makes and models but generally speaking a compact car (and anything larger like a station wagon or SUV) is likely to be quieter and nicer on the motorway than a city car.
  • Rent a car with automatic transmission (except in the sub-compact category, lest you get a Toyota Yaris). There aren’t that many of them in Europe. With Avis, I got a Volkswagen Golf or even an upgrade to a much higher category (like a Mercedes Class E) because a lot of the other vehicles in their catalogue all have manual transmission. Unlike the other tips, this one works best at smaller locations.
  • Rent a specific make and model. It is in fact possible but you have to look for them. For the big networks (Avis, Europcar, Hertz), you will mostly find them at large locations like airports, with a specific branding (like “Avis Select Series”). Those are typically high-end cars and therefore cost quite a bit more but I have sometimes found great deals (Volvo XC60 for a week for ~€300 with Hertz in Venice). Since you commented that even a Toyota Corolla wasn’t up to your standard, renting a Mercedes might be your only option.
  • Rent directly with one of the big networks and build status. You will be entitled to an upgrade and can therefore hope to get a larger quieter car even if you only paid for a mini or compact car. Using price comparison websites or third-party like ANWB would undermine this strategy as you wouldn’t build status that way.
  • If you rent with the big networks, go to a larger location. Franchisees in small towns can be hit-and-miss, you will have more choice in airport locations.
  • Just ask. You can always ask staff if anything else is available if you have some concerns about the car you are offered. It works best at large locations and if you have some status with the brand but it’s not unusual for them to have several cars available.

Incidentally, the Avis app (don’t know about the other big brands) now has a function where you get to pick from a handful of choices shortly before the rental starts. In my experience, it seldom works as advertised so I wouldn’t really consider it a solution at this point.

Credit:stackoverflow.com‘

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Hello,My name is Aparna Patel,I’m a Travel Blogger and Photographer who travel the world full-time with my hubby.I like to share my travel experience.

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