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      03-19-2014, 02:20 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ft1330 View Post
Just saying but I couldn't find a reference to this fake noise module for anything but the 335i/435i. I found the part for these cars but not the 328i or lower, so I'm not sure that it has it. Plus on the 6 bangers it has been there since introduction in 2011, something that nobody has reported on before.
If it is on some it only makes sense it would be in all cars of the same model. I can see why they would put it in- during a test drive a car shopper is going to love the car that sounds sporty and powerful. Hell I wasted a ton of gas last week just to hear this noise! Now I'll just download the WAV file. ;-)
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      03-19-2014, 02:32 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWbill View Post
If it is on some it only makes sense it would be in all cars of the same model. I can see why they would put it in- during a test drive a car shopper is going to love the car that sounds sporty and powerful. Hell I wasted a ton of gas last week just to hear this noise! Now I'll just download the WAV file. ;-)
I know but I think the rationale is that this is for 6 cylinder cars and above at this time (335i, 535i, 635i, M5, whatever). Marketing-wise they probably think the 328i is not high-performing enough to deserve a sporty sound Trust me I would rather not hear the engine that having some POS fake engine noise in my speakers.

All I'm saying is that the part is not present in those cars, just reporting what I'm seeing on BMW own's part catalog.
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      03-19-2014, 02:37 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ft1330 View Post
I know but I think the rationale is that this is for 6 cylinder cars and above at this time (335i, 535i, 635i, M5, whatever). Marketing-wise they probably think the 328i is not high-performing enough to deserve a sporty sound

All I'm saying is that the part is not present in those cars, just reporting what I'm seeing on BMW own's part catalog.
Well, the GTI's have had this artificial noise for years. Its too early to know for sure I guess, but when others report that the new 2014 328i sounds way better, and mine does sound very impressive for a tiny engine that sounds like a diesel at idle, then it makes sense to me that I might have one of these speakers. Simple to tell- I just have to stick my kid in the back of my wagon and listen around to see if she can pinpoint a sound source!
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      03-19-2014, 02:50 PM   #26
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jacar View Post
No luck getting to where the module is shown, found the fuse box, it has a separate sheet which identifies the fuses-but it is an idiot sheet with graphic illustrations-closest thing would be the radio graphic which lists a dozen fuses. Any one know where to find a better fuse identifier?
Did you check the owners manual? Usually has the front fuse box key but might have the rear one too...
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      03-19-2014, 02:53 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jacar View Post
My AH3 has an exhaust sound that is somewhat annoying as the engine shuts on and off-early on I seemed to not quite match the engines speed at times. I traced it to the left rear, figuring the left tailpipe was the source of the sound, and have somewhat quieted it by adding soundproofing in the trunk. The part search shows the amplifier for the AH3 in the left rear quarter panel, which would explain why the sounds seems to come from there and my crude soundproofing helped. I'll see if I can get at the module from inside the trunk, and what the car sounds like if I disconnect it. Will post photo's if I find it.
Since I have an AH3 on order I'd be curious to see what you come up with. I had considered getting the Z10 performance exhaust installed at the port but decided against it through conversations on here... Also, do you have the HK sound and if so, would that further amplify the sound?
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      03-19-2014, 03:04 PM   #28
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Just install a catless downpipe with M Perfomance exhaust and no more need for fake engine sounds. LOL
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      03-19-2014, 04:35 PM   #29
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Originally Posted by avantix View Post
Just install a catless downpipe with M Perfomance exhaust and no more need for fake engine sounds. LOL
Post a vid if you can, always enjoy seeing aftermarket exhausts
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      03-19-2014, 04:52 PM   #30
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Couldn't it be that this "Active Sound Design" module is for adjusting the music volume according to speed? I recall somewhere that the fake engine sound can be turned on/off in IDrive. Wouldn't the lack of such a setting indicate the 3 series engine sound is un-altered?
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      03-19-2014, 06:59 PM   #31
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I am curious to know. Is it a pre-recorded sound? If not, and if this is simply an amplification of existing car sounds, does it come from the engine bay or the exhaust?


I've been noticing that the stock exhaust on my 335i sounds awfully nice, even in comfort mode.
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      03-19-2014, 07:53 PM   #32
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posted in the coding forum but might as well post here since it is more active. I've got a 2014 F31


my HU_NBT under 3000 HMI, there is a section for ASD_Configuration, and ASD_SOUND_1 through to 4. anyone try that yet?

By default the configuration is not active, but sound 1 through 3 are active. sound 4 is not active.


not sure if I want to turn on the configurator yet but I would assume it would show up as an option of which sound you want?
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      03-19-2014, 07:56 PM   #33
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No Fuse key in the owners manual.
I have the HK in my AH3, the part is listed for the AH3. It could be the module for adjusting sound volume for speed.
One thought I have is if it is using the sound system to inject the sound into the car, if I pull the fuses on the stereo It would be defeated and a drive should sound different. I'll do some poking around and see what I come up with.
My 2010 F90 which was a 6 had an entirely different sound-individual cylinder firings were not very distinct, while they very much are for the AH3 which is odd since it has twin turbo's (the F90 had no turbo) the sound should be more muted.
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      03-19-2014, 08:40 PM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWbill View Post
Well, the GTI's have had this artificial noise for years.
I can't speak for sure about the newest gen, but I had a Mk5 GTI and the noise was not artificial. There was a pipe that ran to the firewall from somewhere in the intake path (I believe it was before or after the intercooler) to send induction noise into the cabin.

I have a '12 328i and it's very quiet - just the way I personally prefer this car.
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      03-19-2014, 11:57 PM   #35
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Do we know how the system works?

As I understand it, the systems from the mid 2000's ran a pipe from the intake manifold to a speaker in the cabin to give a throatier sound. The VW Golf GTi used this, and unless I m mistaken, the Z4 was one of the BMWs to use this.

The current BMW system sounds more complex in that it is creating synthetic noise, based on some parameters and some measurement from the engine (such as the intake manifold).

Has anyone been able to decipher how complex the BMW system is now?
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      03-20-2014, 07:42 AM   #36
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OK while it is fun to discuss conspiracy theories and you guys got me all riled up as much as anybody, its time to focus on logic first. Any corporation is going to go about a given task spending the least amount of money possible. We already know the F30's have light sound deadening and some type of active exhaust porting at the end of exhaust, right? What is cheaper? Tuning an exhaust to make it sound all grumbly under load, or installing a super high tech surround system that adds digital noise in line with the rpms? Well, in the quiet M5 it was necessary, but in a 3 series?
I just drove my car and listened carefully to the noise. It sure sounds like it is coming from the engine bay. Maybe the reason this little 4 cylinder sounds throatier than my E46 M3 is simply because BMW had 10 more years to work on exhaust tuning technology. I'm going to stick with that idea until someone here posts some kind of proof.
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      03-20-2014, 07:44 AM   #37
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I had a 2010 GTI and there was a pipe that ran to the firewall to enhance the sounds. I currently have a 2013 GLI where the sound is enhanced with the speakers. It is done in real time is an enhancement to the sound the engine is making, not a recording. I was turned off to the idea at first, but I rather like the throatier sound. Both cars had the same engine, but sounded completely different.
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      03-20-2014, 07:49 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CMH2578 View Post
I had a 2010 GTI and there was a pipe that ran to the firewall to enhance the sounds. I currently have a 2013 GLI where the sound is enhanced with the speakers. It is done in real time is an enhancement to the sound the engine is making, not a recording. I was turned off to the idea at first, but I rather like the throatier sound. Both cars had the same engine, but sounded completely different.
Interesting. Tell me, can you hear the sound emanating from the speakers or is this totally transparent?
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      03-20-2014, 09:09 AM   #39
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Completely transparent. If I had not researched why the same engine could sound completely different I would have been none the wiser.
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      03-20-2014, 10:03 AM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWbill View Post
OK while it is fun to discuss conspiracy theories and you guys got me all riled up as much as anybody, its time to focus on logic first. Any corporation is going to go about a given task spending the least amount of money possible. We already know the F30's have light sound deadening and some type of active exhaust porting at the end of exhaust, right? What is cheaper? Tuning an exhaust to make it sound all grumbly under load, or installing a super high tech surround system that adds digital noise in line with the rpms? Well, in the quiet M5 it was necessary, but in a 3 series?
I just drove my car and listened carefully to the noise. It sure sounds like it is coming from the engine bay. Maybe the reason this little 4 cylinder sounds throatier than my E46 M3 is simply because BMW had 10 more years to work on exhaust tuning technology. I'm going to stick with that idea until someone here posts some kind of proof.
I believe the motivation is to make the car quieter from outside, there are some newish EU laws against loud exhausts I believe. So by artificially amplifying the sound from within, it is win-win for the OEM's.

Honestly, I think this is a win for car companies, because when you're test driving the car you aren't aware of all the subtleties. You kick it into sport mode and all the sudden it's growling...which will make a big impression. Not everyone has the time to research every car they test drive, hell, even owners here don't know if their car pipes in engine music.
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      03-20-2014, 10:30 AM   #41
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Well, the reason we don't know is because the car companies are very secretive about this stuff, because they know it will piss people off! In the end, its all rather sneaky, which is probably the main reason I am against it.
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      03-20-2014, 11:46 AM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by drob23 View Post
I believe the motivation is to make the car quieter from outside, there are some newish EU laws against loud exhausts I believe. So by artificially amplifying the sound from within, it is win-win for the OEM's.

...

I don't get the whole "new EU regulations" against loud exhaust thing. There are plenty of loud and very sexy sounding European cars being produced and sold. Why would the 3 series be any different?
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      03-20-2014, 01:22 PM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alpinweiss 335i View Post
I don't get the whole "new EU regulations" against loud exhaust thing. There are plenty of loud and very sexy sounding European cars being produced and sold. Why would the 3 series be any different?
Just a shot in the dark and wild guess, but I wouldn't put it past EU regulations to control sound as with fuel consumption. Think gas guzzler tax only for noise pollution. A 3 series might risk greater loss of customers for being too loud vs. being too quiet.
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      03-20-2014, 06:00 PM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by alpinweiss 335i View Post
I don't get the whole "new EU regulations" against loud exhaust thing. There are plenty of loud and very sexy sounding European cars being produced and sold. Why would the 3 series be any different?
I don't know where I read that but this is the best I came up with a google search:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1248330

In the EU, they just tax whatever fun you wanna have, it varies from country to country...but things like HP, displacement, CO_2 etc. I wouldn't be surprised if sound is next. The only other non-german make/model I know which does this is the Ford Focus ST, which was designed where: Germany (it might be UK, I forget).
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