For all the people complaining about the sound of an M3

[Zap-xpilot]

Here’s a video I shot a while back with my M3 F80 comp pack.
The gopro was mounted on a track-fix in front of the bumper, so you really get mostly engine sound (and wind rush) as opposed to exhaust and active sound inside the coupe.

Sound is subjective but I think the S55 sounds muscular, industrial and purposeful. Sure, it’s not operatic as the old v8, but not a bad sound in any way shape or form.

To those who watch past the 5:42 mark you get to hear the 991 gt3rs, which is a fabulous sounding and driving car, albeit for 3x the money.

In gear acceleration, there was nothing to it, I could easily stay in touch with the Porsche. Gear changes were another thing though :lol

[F80Dreamer]

Amazing video, thx for sharing!

[Wills2]

To be honest the video (nice scenery) doesn't really address the concerns about the engine noise rather it confirms them, but it is what is it and I like my car despite the noise it makes or doesn't make.

It could be a 4 pot turbo from that video to my ears, it just sounds like a vacuum cleaner up front.

But it's powerful, responsive, high revving turbo motor that's effective and efficient whilst being very reliable and you can't ask for much more than that at this price level.

[six-n-twins53]

They made fun of me here for saying that my F80 zcp sounded exotic! I love the sound. When I had an n55 m2 with a dinan full exhaust I lined it up with my buddies m4 with mpe. The m4 sounded better in my opinion. Startling. High revving high pitched scream.

Oh well, guess I'm in the minority

[Alan l.]

I agree the S55 engine doesn't sound bad, its just the exhaust note is horrible. This is the main reason why I got an intake for this platform and kept the stock zcp exhaust.

MPE on this car is probably my least favorite. loud, raspy, high pitch, hollow and barky sounding. More 1990's civic with too big of a exhaust sounding than exotic lol

Alan

[swagon]

Am I the only one who likes the stock exhaust note? Sure, cold starts are bad with the valves closed, but when they're open at WOT, it sounds like a race car to me. I dig it.

P. S.: turn off ASD.

[six-n-twins53]

I dig it too, but I will be getting an active autowerke signature exhaust when the weather breaks.

Imo, s55 sounds more like what a German sports sedan should sound like. Everyone seems to want it to have an American v8 sound.

[moonluv810]

Let's start a minority group of people who love our cars' sound stock.
I'll sign up if anyone wants to organize it.

[joooiiiiii]

I love everything about my car, including the exhaust note.

[six-n-twins53]

I'm in

[Zap-xpilot]

Originally Posted by moonluv810

Let's start a minority group of people who love our cars' sound stock.
I'll sign up if anyone wants to organize it.

Word!
I’m in, sign me up!

[six-n-twins53]

Is it a support group? Coffee and donuts?

[allinon72]

There's a difference between the way the car sounds inside the car vs outside, especially with active sound disabled. I like the sound while I'm driving, with active sound disabled, but I know it's drastically different outside.

[seis-speed]

I like the high pitch. Get a valve-mod w/ MPE and it is aggressive and unique IMO.

[minn19]

Yah, I still disagree. After my previous M3/4s, I did the AA to Remus axle back mod and for the first time I can say I finally legitimately like how one of these sounds. I wish I was content with the stock sound like you guys as it would’ve saved me a bunch of $$$.

PM me if you want a good deal on a new MPE system that was only used for a few thousand miles. I wasn’t a fan......

[Poiseuille]

nice road OP

[cliverman]

Originally Posted by Wills2

To be honest the video (nice scenery) doesn't really address the concerns about the engine noise rather it confirms them, but it is what is it and I like my car despite the noise it makes or doesn't make.

It could be a 4 pot turbo from that video to my ears, it just sounds like a vacuum cleaner up front.

But it's powerful, responsive, high revving turbo motor that's effective and efficient whilst being very reliable and you can't ask for much more than that at this price level.

I’m not sure why so many people bought this car and complain about the exhaust. Why buy it if you think it sounds like a vacuum?

[jballs16]

I wonder if there’s a positive correlation between those who enjoy the F80 exhaust note and those with dad bods.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by cliverman

I’m not sure why so many people bought this car and complain about the exhaust. Why buy it if you think it sounds like a vacuum?

Did you even read my post? Did you even read the OP? Or watch the video? This isn't about exhaust noise this is about engine noise, you know there is a difference, don't you?

I'm not sure why people quote a post asking stupid questions, because they haven't understood the topic....

I'm on my 5th M car and I've done 90,000 miles in this one and enjoyed them all thank you very much...so I'll be taking no nonsense from you.....

[ra2289]

Originally Posted by cliverman

I'm not sure why so many people bought this car and complain about the exhaust. Why buy it if you think it sounds like a vacuum?

His quote answered your question pretty well I thought.

I bought the car because, despite having a few drawbacks, the entire package more than makes up for it. Surely you're not saying that one has to like every single aspect of a car in order to purchase it.

I'd also have to agree that the Remus/AA combo improves on the exhaust.

[cliverman]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Did you even read my post? Did you even read the OP? Or watch the video? This isn't about exhaust noise this is about engine noise, you know there is a difference, don't you?

I'm not sure why people quote a post asking stupid questions, because they haven't understood the topic....

I'm on my 5th M car and I've done 90,000 miles in this one and enjoyed them all thank you very much...so I'll be taking no nonsense from you.....

I wasn’t getting in your shit! So easy up �� I was more using your quote to affirm why I don’t understand why this car gets so much criticism. I don’t really care what others think either but it gets old.

[Zap-xpilot]

Originally Posted by Wills2

To be honest the video (nice scenery) doesn't really address the concerns about the engine noise rather it confirms them, but it is what is it and I like my car despite the noise it makes or doesn't make.

It could be a 4 pot turbo from that video to my ears, it just sounds like a vacuum cleaner up front.

Thanks for the comment on the scenery!

Once again, perception of sound is highly subjective (as an audiophile I've paid through the nose to reach this conclusion ) but also relative!

Looking at your signature I am envious - you've had so many fabulous sounding M-cars (and a flat six), many of them atmospheric - comparing to that, the S55 does sound underwhelming.

I was personally considering the E90 M3 as used before I drove the F80 Comp, and boy does that V8 sound marvellous. The same cannot be said about the brakes, the chassis, the DCT and so on. But engine noise, feel, response and tingles were top-notch.

Having said that, to my ears the engine sounds like a blown in-line six. Much more reminiscent of Skyline-era GT-Rs and Toyota Supras. Blown four-pots are much different (again, to my ears) than the S55.

Originally Posted by Wills2

But it's powerful, responsive, high revving turbo motor that's effective and efficient whilst being very reliable and you can't ask for much more than that at this price level.

Here we all are in violent agreement


Sometimes I believe it is a question of missed expectations - so many previous M-owners come into the F80 and miss the aural drama of the previous gem, and then try to fix it with all manner of exhausts. Which are different things to my ears.

That's why I mounted the camera there, so I can "isolate" the exhaust as much as I can.

Also, a manual car with its pauses between gear shifts sound more "blown" to me than a DCT, which blurs shifts so seamlessly.

My 2c...