[djw007]

Prior to purchasing my car i read a lot of praise for the "sweet" sound of the N55 engine.
I only had an opportunity to test drive an M135i hatch and was really happy with the sound. Albeit with some synthetic audio assistance. My dealer convinced me that the 335 was exactly the same.
Well i have to say, i am not particularly impressed with the flat metallic whine of the 335i's engine, it's nothing like the M135i. There is no "sweet" note. It sounds harsh, simple as that.
I tried adding the M Perf exhaust and that made little to no difference.
What's most upsetting is that the cheaper 1 series sounds better, has more HP, more TQ. I just don't get that!!
If it just sounded better it would be a perfect car in my opinion.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
***For clarification i am referring to the sound of the car from the driver's perspective, i have not heard my car from the outside driving by as yet.

[bosz]

yeah from the inside it sounds like the engine is being overworked under heavy driving. From outside the exhaust note is pretty sweet, even on the stock sys

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by djw007

Prior to purchasing my car i read a lot of praise for the "sweet" sound of the N55 engine.
I only had an opportunity to test drive an M135i hatch and was really happy with the sound. Albeit with some synthetic audio assistance. My dealer convinced me that the 335 was exactly the same.
Well i have to say, i am not particularly impressed with the flat metallic whine of the 335i's engine, it's nothing like the M135i. There is no "sweet" note. It sounds harsh, simple as that.
I tried adding the M Perf exhaust and that made little to no difference.
What's most upsetting is that the cheaper 1 series sounds better, has more HP, more TQ. I just don't get that!!
If it just sounded better it would be a perfect car in my opinion.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
***For clarification i am referring to the sound of the car from the driver's perspective, i have not heard my car from the outside driving by as yet.

Add the MPPK and see what you think - that gives it the same power/torque levels as the M135i. Sure sounds better on mine (with M-Perf exhaust) than stock.

[Koer]

Originally Posted by djw007

Prior to purchasing my car i read a lot of praise for the "sweet" sound of the N55 engine.
I only had an opportunity to test drive an M135i hatch and was really happy with the sound. Albeit with some synthetic audio assistance. My dealer convinced me that the 335 was exactly the same.
Well i have to say, i am not particularly impressed with the flat metallic whine of the 335i's engine, it's nothing like the M135i. There is no "sweet" note. It sounds harsh, simple as that.
I tried adding the M Perf exhaust and that made little to no difference.
What's most upsetting is that the cheaper 1 series sounds better, has more HP, more TQ. I just don't get that!!
If it just sounded better it would be a perfect car in my opinion.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
***For clarification i am referring to the sound of the car from the driver's perspective, i have not heard my car from the outside driving by as yet.

Have someone drive you car while you are outside, i guarantee you wont be disappointed.

Try doing the solder (remove insulation on the silencer, solder all the holes in the exhaust tubes ) mod on your stock exhaust, it adds no drone and the sound is just gorgeous. 2x as loud and 3x times as manly!

[Alan l.]

The M135 has the fake active sound through its speakers which is probably why your N55 doesn't sound anything like it.

Alan

[m2michael23]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

The M135 has the fake active sound through its speakers which is probably why your N55 doesn't sound anything like it.

Alan

just like the M5... input exhaust noise to their stereo system.

[m2michael23]

Originally Posted by Koer

Have someone drive you car while you are outside, i guarantee you wont be disappointed.

Try doing the solder (remove insulation on the silencer, solder all the holes in the exhaust tubes ) mod on your stock exhaust, it adds no drone and the sound is just gorgeous. 2x as loud and 3x times as manly!

+1, the exhaust sounds pretty good even in stock...

[bosz]

Originally Posted by Koer

Have someone drive you car while you are outside, i guarantee you wont be disappointed.

Try doing the solder (remove insulation on the silencer, solder all the holes in the exhaust tubes ) mod on your stock exhaust, it adds no drone and the sound is just gorgeous. 2x as loud and 3x times as manly!

Pls elaborate!

[Koer]

Looks like most people never heard of this thread.. Works like a charm, costs 60 us to do and will probably be the most satisfying thing you ever do!

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=819125

[FotiosF90M5]

I disagree. I love the sound of my car, its one of my favorite things about it. I liked it even before the mperf. exhaust and power kit. Now its much better of course.

[tdizzle]

I just unplugged the actuator (it was making a stupid squeaking noise and don't want to go to the dealer just for that) and both exhaust pipes are always open. Sounds a bit louder and throatier. Simple mod that's free.

[bosz]

Originally Posted by tdizzle

I just unplugged the actuator (it was making a stupid squeaking noise and don't want to go to the dealer just for that) and both exhaust pipes are always open. Sounds a bit louder and throatier. Simple mod that's free.

how do you unplug?

[tdizzle]

Originally Posted by bosz

how do you unplug?

Turn the car off (when off the actuator is open, which is what you want).

Slide under the drivers side rear muffler. Somewhere near the rear tire around the muffler under the car you'll see an electrical plug connection. Just unplug it and tie it with some wire or something, or just let it hang if you want.

It's pretty obvious once you get under there. I can take pics tonight or tomorrow if you need, but I don't think you'll need them once you slide under there.

[The Nerd]

It'll throw a code though....right? Any other disadvantages why BMW designed this flap to be shut upon start-up that might harm the car if we disable this?

[tdizzle]

Originally Posted by The Nerd

It'll throw a code though....right? Any other disadvantages why BMW designed this flap to be shut upon start-up that might harm the car if we disable this?

No codes to my knowledge. I think on the older models it was a different actuator (Pneumatic perhaps) and that put up a code. I've had mine disconnected for a couple months without any dash notifications, but I haven't had it scanned for a code. I guess the worse that could happen is you said it got accidentally unplugged somehow.

As for as why BMW does this? My guess is to keep the noise down when not under full throttle. When you're putting around the flap closes to the exhaust note isn't as loud, but get on it and they both are open. I can't think of any other reason to only use one of the exhausts under partial throttle, but I'm not BMW expert.

[johnofcross]

I was always underwhelmed by the sound of the car from the inside. Once a buddy of mine drove it hard while I stood outside, I couldn't believe how beastly it sounds. The wastegate 'whoosh', the overrun burble, and the sweet revving of the straight 6 adds up nicely.

[bosz]

Originally Posted by johnofcross

I was always underwhelmed by the sound of the car from the inside. Once a buddy of mine drove it hard while I stood outside, I couldn't believe how beastly it sounds. The wastegate 'whoosh', the overrun burble, and the sweet revving of the straight 6 adds up nicely.

ahhhh i gotta try this once, stand outside see what it sounds like. Inside you can get a little more sound if you fold the rear seats. Ive also taken the engine cover off and thinking of removing the sounproofing thats attached to the hood...get a little more swoooosh out of there

[bosz]

Originally Posted by tdizzle

Turn the car off (when off the actuator is open, which is what you want).

Slide under the drivers side rear muffler. Somewhere near the rear tire around the muffler under the car you'll see an electrical plug connection. Just unplug it and tie it with some wire or something, or just let it hang if you want.

It's pretty obvious once you get under there. I can take pics tonight or tomorrow if you need, but I don't think you'll need them once you slide under there.

ok thnx will try this today.

[n55x3]

Originally Posted by bosz

ok thnx will try this today.

Regarding the disconnect of that plug, I think it will throw some shadow codes. I removed the U shaped spring clip and wired the exhaust flap open. I had it in for about a week and it sounded really good. Took a road trip with the family and there was a horribly annoying drone doing 55-65 mph. As soon as we got to our destination I put the clip back in cause I couldn't stand the drone. Glad I brought the clip with.

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by tdizzle

Turn the car off (when off the actuator is open, which is what you want).

Slide under the drivers side rear muffler. Somewhere near the rear tire around the muffler under the car you'll see an electrical plug connection. Just unplug it and tie it with some wire or something, or just let it hang if you want.

It's pretty obvious once you get under there. I can take pics tonight or tomorrow if you need, but I don't think you'll need them once you slide under there.

Any way to ensure it's open (visual check?). I opened my car (didn't start it) before unplugging it, and I heard all sorts of whirring noises - just wondered if one of them might have been the actuator closing?

[tdizzle]

Originally Posted by dinonz

Any way to ensure it's open (visual check?). I opened my car (didn't start it) before unplugging it, and I heard all sorts of whirring noises - just wondered if one of them might have been the actuator closing?

Yep, just peek into your drivers side tail pipe. You can see the flap as it's not that far in.

With the car off, it should be open, when the car is warmed up and idleing it should be closed (unless you've pulled the plug to keep it open)

[tdizzle]

Originally Posted by n55x3

Regarding the disconnect of that plug, I think it will throw some shadow codes. I removed the U shaped spring clip and wired the exhaust flap open. I had it in for about a week and it sounded really good. Took a road trip with the family and there was a horribly annoying drone doing 55-65 mph. As soon as we got to our destination I put the clip back in cause I couldn't stand the drone. Glad I brought the clip with.

Is that on the F30? Apparently the previous body style was a bit different.