Improving Sound - Will an aftermarket CAI help give the n20 more growl?

fredsf30 · 03-31-2015, 02:01 PM

I have been searching for quite a while on ways to give my 2012 328i a more visceral sound and feeling.

I actually purchased an Active Autowerks exhaust last year. Installed it, and after a week took it off because it was too boomy during regular driving.

I have investigated even retrofitting Active Sound, but this seems quite complicated and not cost-effective given I don't know how to code and it's not an easy modification.

Does anyone have an aftermarket CAI that gives them more audible noise in the cockpit. If so, do you have an audio file or video. There's not much out there.

Thanks!

the_phew · 03-31-2015, 02:25 PM

With any turbo 4, you need to focus on the turbo sounds, not the induction and exhaust sounds (which are turds that can't be polished).

I just roll down the window and enjoy the "pssst" of the BOV.

fredsf30 · 03-31-2015, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_phew

With any turbo 4, you need to focus on the turbo sounds, not the induction and exhaust sounds (which are turds that can't be polished).

I just roll down the window and enjoy the "pssst" of the BOV.

Thanks for the reply, I am learning that lesson. I did not realize until owning this car, that improving the sound is nearly impossible. The exhaust did nothing for the car when I had it on.

I was hoping that the intake might help, but you're saying it won't. Correct?

The blow off valve sound is not something that I really care for.

creeval · 04-01-2015, 12:59 PM

I thought the Dinan exhaust sounded pretty good on 328/428

tboooe · 04-01-2015, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by creeval

I thought the Dinan exhaust sounded pretty good on 328/428

Agreed. And the new AWE one also sounds tremendous!

2msport · 04-01-2015, 03:10 PM

Well I'm installing a 328 MPE on my 228 this week hoping it'll give the car some more life. At least so I can actually hear the RPMs when I'm accelerating. From what I've read, DPs do the trick even on the 4, but I've stayed away since they eventually all throw a CEL. (so I hear) A lot of people seem to like the MPE as long as they aren't looking for something too loud. I didn't buy the AA because in videos it seemed too bassy and boomy for my tastes.

Ryan9095 · 04-01-2015, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2msport

Well I'm installing a 328 MPE on my 228 this week hoping it'll give the car some more life. At least so I can actually hear the RPMs when I'm accelerating. From what I've read, DPs do the trick even on the 4, but I've stayed away since they eventually all throw a CEL. (so I hear) A lot of people seem to like the MPE as long as they aren't looking for something too loud. I didn't buy the AA because in videos it seemed too bassy and boomy for my tastes.

Let me know your thoughts after install. I've been contemplating the MPE on my 428i for a while now; I just want to hear something glorious when I step on the acceleration!!

lesnica · 04-01-2015, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan9095

Let me know your thoughts after install. I've been contemplating the MPE on my 428i for a while now; I just want to hear something glorious when I step on the acceleration!!

From what I heard and read, the Dinan exhaust is slightly louder than the MPE. Have you thought about getting an eisenman exhaust? Steeper on the price but I think its one of the best sounding.

KGB_123_99 · 04-01-2015, 05:00 PM

Active sound

2msport · 04-01-2015, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan9095

Let me know your thoughts after install. I've been contemplating the MPE on my 428i for a while now; I just want to hear something glorious when I step on the acceleration!!

Same here! Will do

idrive328i · 06-19-2015, 12:51 AM

I have the ARK performance grip exhaust, and I think it's the perfect sound. Not too loud, not too quiet, with a nice growl.

x328x · 06-19-2015, 02:52 AM

after i installed my JL amp upgrade, i can accidentlty tune my active sound via the amp. I dont know why but it just works

I can make my 328i sound like a monster V8. My mates were like, what have you done to your car.

Stubok · 06-19-2015, 08:49 AM

I have the 335i exhaust fitted. I loved the sound with the stock Downpipe/Cat.

Then I added a ER Catless DP. The sound has gone way overboard. Especially at start up. Super loud and raspy hollow sounding. Difficult to capture with a mic. On a recording it actually sounds very beefy.

I also have an AFE intake, I switched it out (for interest sake) for the stock one and now the sound is back to being almost normal. Didn't think that would happen.

The addition of the AFE (before and after the Downpipe) definitely makes the engine louder. And the Diverter Valve action is also much more noticeable too.

rustyminded · 06-19-2015, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x328x

after i installed my JL amp upgrade, i can accidentlty tune my active sound via the amp. I dont know why but it just works

I can make my 328i sound like a monster V8. My mates were like, what have you done to your car.

link for that amp please !!

Dippydo · 06-19-2015, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by x328x

after i installed my JL amp upgrade, i can accidentlty tune my active sound via the amp. I dont know why but it just works

I can make my 328i sound like a monster V8. My mates were like, what have you done to your car.

Gawd I have a loaner with active sound and it is driving me batshit crazy because I know the car doesn't sound that way. More annoying to me than anything.LOL...

mike@x-ph.com · 06-19-2015, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredsf30

Thanks for the reply, I am learning that lesson. I did not realize until owning this car, that improving the sound is nearly impossible. The exhaust did nothing for the car when I had it on.

I was hoping that the intake might help, but you're saying it won't. Correct?

The blow off valve sound is not something that I really care for.

Lots of good exhaust options that will offer an awesome upgrade over stock including Remus, AWE and GThaus. Depends on how loud you want to go with GTHaus being the loudest.

Active is the best option for people looking for an upgrade over stock without it being too loud for an unbeatable price.

GTHaus:

RM7 · 06-21-2015, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_phew

With any turbo 4, you need to focus on the turbo sounds, not the induction and exhaust sounds (which are turds that can't be polished).

I just roll down the window and enjoy the "pssst" of the BOV.

Not in my experience, I had a subaru with a borla exhaust (Cobb DP, everything else borla) and it sounded like a low earthquake. I had heard plenty before that had fairly high resonance, but this was way low, like you'd get from some sort of huge engine. Hard to describe, but about the furthest from high pitched/whiny you can get.

Why? Maybe the high flow cat had something to do with it, but the primary feature was the unequal length headers. Those headers (standard) would rock back and forth to create that low sound when equipped with the proper exhaust. Put equal length headers on for a slight power gain (common on 400whp and greater modded cars) and the sound would go away, replaced with the typical high lawnmower sound. Being a boxer had nothing really to do with it.

Of course, on the same car, a simple intake like SPT, Injen or otherwise would include the intake silencer delete, which would make the stock BOV noticable, while not ridiculous. Lots of people would put aftermarket BOVs on there for no reason, as they weren't trying to hold 400whp or anything and the stock would do plenty.

Of course, my original plan for the exhaust was the borla "hush" model, a twin tip "silent" type that had good power but little noise. I put in the part number one number wrong and got the single-tip "aggressive" model, but never regretted it, was totally fun. Through multiple drive thrus I'd sit there right in front while the guy in the window kept looking around for the car that was making the noise, was fun.

When guys would be revving their harleys around me...all I had to do was put a little gas down to make them sound ridiculous...which I usually did. Guy revs harley louder? I hold down pedal further.

Larry Chijner · 06-22-2015, 08:13 PM

Dinan exhaust. Works and sounds great!

shoguniori31 · 01-14-2016, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idrive328i

I have the ARK performance grip exhaust, and I think it's the perfect sound. Not too loud, not too quiet, with a nice growl.

i agree!! i want to get the MPE for my 428 but for me its too loud
do you have this install in your car??

TomDenmark · 01-14-2016, 05:53 PM

DP with stock exhaust. Thats all you need

kangheemin · 01-14-2016, 06:07 PM

I have MPE installed on my 15 328i and I love it so much. Planning on getting a downpipe down the line, but the MPE isn't too loud, but you could definitely hear it when accelerating.
It's not as loud as the other aftermarket exhaust though.
If your planning on MPE get it. I have no regrets =)

03-31-2015, 02:01 PM	#1
fredsf30 Private First Class 25 Rep 130 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 328i RWD Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (0)	Improving Sound - Will an aftermarket CAI help give the n20 more growl? I have been searching for quite a while on ways to give my 2012 328i a more visceral sound and feeling. I actually purchased an Active Autowerks exhaust last year. Installed it, and after a week took it off because it was too boomy during regular driving. I have investigated even retrofitting Active Sound, but this seems quite complicated and not cost-effective given I don't know how to code and it's not an easy modification. Does anyone have an aftermarket CAI that gives them more audible noise in the cockpit. If so, do you have an audio file or video. There's not much out there. Thanks!
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03-31-2015, 02:25 PM	#2
the_phew Lieutenant 352 Rep 556 Posts Drives: '17 GTI 6MT, was 320i ZSP/ZMT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	With any turbo 4, you need to focus on the turbo sounds, not the induction and exhaust sounds (which are turds that can't be polished). I just roll down the window and enjoy the "pssst" of the BOV.
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04-01-2015, 12:59 PM	#4
creeval New Member 1 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 428i Convertible Sport line Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	I thought the Dinan exhaust sounded pretty good on 328/428
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04-01-2015, 03:10 PM	#6
2msport Captain 204 Rep 757 Posts Drives: '14 228 MT Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: NY iTrader: (1)	Well I'm installing a 328 MPE on my 228 this week hoping it'll give the car some more life. At least so I can actually hear the RPMs when I'm accelerating. From what I've read, DPs do the trick even on the 4, but I've stayed away since they eventually all throw a CEL. (so I hear) A lot of people seem to like the MPE as long as they aren't looking for something too loud. I didn't buy the AA because in videos it seemed too bassy and boomy for my tastes.
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04-01-2015, 05:00 PM	#9
KGB_123_99 Captain 404 Rep 962 Posts Drives: '17 330ix M-Sport, '09 528ix Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Montreal, QC iTrader: (0)	Active sound
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06-19-2015, 12:51 AM	#11
idrive328i Enlisted Member 7 Rep 32 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 328i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Inland Empire, CA iTrader: (0)	I have the ARK performance grip exhaust, and I think it's the perfect sound. Not too loud, not too quiet, with a nice growl. Last edited by idrive328i; 06-19-2015 at 12:57 AM..
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06-19-2015, 02:52 AM	#12
x328x Captain 276 Rep 864 Posts Drives: 2014 328i M Sport Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Vic iTrader: (0)	after i installed my JL amp upgrade, i can accidentlty tune my active sound via the amp. I dont know why but it just works I can make my 328i sound like a monster V8. My mates were like, what have you done to your car.
	Appreciate 1 Quote

06-19-2015, 08:49 AM	#13
Stubok Lieutenant 472 Rep 577 Posts Drives: Melbourne Red F30 328i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Austin TX iTrader: (0)	I have the 335i exhaust fitted. I loved the sound with the stock Downpipe/Cat. Then I added a ER Catless DP. The sound has gone way overboard. Especially at start up. Super loud and raspy hollow sounding. Difficult to capture with a mic. On a recording it actually sounds very beefy. I also have an AFE intake, I switched it out (for interest sake) for the stock one and now the sound is back to being almost normal. Didn't think that would happen. The addition of the AFE (before and after the Downpipe) definitely makes the engine louder. And the Diverter Valve action is also much more noticeable too.
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06-22-2015, 08:13 PM	#18
Larry Chijner Private 14 Rep 58 Posts Drives: 428IX Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Pittsburgh Pa iTrader: (0)	Dinan exhaust. Works and sounds great!
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01-14-2016, 05:53 PM	#20
TomDenmark Second Lieutenant 61 Rep 205 Posts Drives: 14' 320i ActiveFlex Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Brazil, SP - Valinhos iTrader: (0)	DP with stock exhaust. Thats all you need __________________ 320i Activeflex - JB4 - Afe Airfilter - VRSF IC - ER DP - ER CP - @Ethanol
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01-14-2016, 06:07 PM	#21
kangheemin Enlisted Member 8 Rep 48 Posts Drives: 2015 328I Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: California iTrader: (0)	I have MPE installed on my 15 328i and I love it so much. Planning on getting a downpipe down the line, but the MPE isn't too loud, but you could definitely hear it when accelerating. It's not as loud as the other aftermarket exhaust though. If your planning on MPE get it. I have no regrets =)
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