New engine sound on 2014 328i

Max1964 · 03-31-2014, 04:13 AM

I took delivery of my 2014 328i M sport a week ago and I have been pleasantly surprised by the sound of the engine. The demo 2013 sounded quite boring and I accepted that this is how mine would sound BUT my new baby has a deep growl to it that makes you want to floor it! I don't know what they have done but judging from the sound it seems that a lot of it is in the intake. Does anyone know what BMW did to get such an improvement?

PS. I doubt it is synthetic via speakers. I can hear it with the windows down
form the outside.

Azurite M5 · 03-31-2014, 04:19 AM

I thought it was active sound, I may be wrong though as I haven't heard or driven a MY14.

David328M-Sport · 03-31-2014, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max1964

Does anyone know what BMW did to get such an improvement?

I have an August 2012 build 328i and when I give the accelerator a decent shove, my car's engine makes all the right growl tones to my ears. Sure, it's not the same as the N52 I had previously, but I've never been disappointed with its sound under reasonable throttle. Maybe Stage 1 helps.

Max1964 · 03-31-2014, 05:02 AM

I did see a few posts around the globe that suggested active sound. My guess is that they have worked some magic with the intake and exhaust which could have some sort of mechanical device assisting the sound (rather than electronics) If it is a simple as an intake change, those of you who want a gruntier sound may have a simple solution. The salesman told me nothing about this "new sound" (not sure why) but at least it was nice surprise! I found some youtube videos.

This is a 428 but this is how it sounds and note that the sound is more induction than exhaust ( hard to tell on video)

Max1964 · 03-31-2014, 05:15 AM

As long as you are happy, that all that matters.

ilovewagons · 03-31-2014, 05:30 AM

I have a MY13 F31 and that's what mine sounded like. It gets even louder and sporty with a stage 1 tune (burbles and crackles on overrun, though a little muted with the stock muffler). I never understood why people moaned about this engine. It looooooves to be revved, sounds good doing it, improves the weight balance of the car and turns the 328i into a legit fast car, as opposed to the slow, expensive joke it used to be with the NA6.

MikeVictor · 03-31-2014, 06:42 AM

The 2014 328i's use the Active Sound synthesiser to pipe artificial noise into the cabin.

Max1964 · 03-31-2014, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

The 2014 328i's use the Active Sound synthesiser to pipe artificial noise into the cabin.

Are you sure? It still sounds the same with the windows down. ( if it was electronic there would be a very different sound I.e.lack of sound. ) In any case it sounds great and whatever they have done seems to be working.

Max1964 · 03-31-2014, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovewagons

I have a MY13 F31 and that's what mine sounded like. It gets even louder and sporty with a stage 1 tune (burbles and crackles on overrun, though a little muted with the stock muffler). I never understood why people moaned about this engine. It looooooves to be revved, sounds good doing it, improves the weight balance of the car and turns the 328i into a legit fast car, as opposed to the slow, expensive joke it used to be with the NA6.

It would have to be the best 4 cylinder I've driven!

MikeVictor · 03-31-2014, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max1964

Are you sure? It still sounds the same with the windows down. ( if it was electronic there would be a very different sound I.e.lack of sound. ) In any case it sounds great and whatever they have done seems to be working.

BMW USA confirmed it to one of their customers AFAIK. There's a thread in the General forum about it.

Aapparition90 · 04-01-2014, 07:41 AM

Regarding op, does the 2014 have any technical changes to the engine/exhaust? I thought it was all the same unless you buy the m perfomance exhaust.

x5mad · 04-01-2014, 07:17 PM

My sales person advised me there was active sound for the MY14.

My engine and exhaust is so quiet. Even revving past 6k and doing aggressive downshifts there is just so little noise :-(

With the windows up it sounds good but hardly anything with windows down.

On my 135i I loved changing down a few gears in a tunnel just for the hell of it as the sound was so addictive.

I'm hoping an m perf exhaust will address this somewhat.

MikeVictor · 08-04-2014, 09:21 PM

I have the use of a 2014 328i loaner today and it gave me my first taste of Active Sound for the N20. I honestly can't decide whether I like the it or not.

It's not unpleasant at all, but the only analogy I can come up with is that it's like someone faking an orgasm.

knightsabers · 08-04-2014, 09:48 PM

Hmm...I wonder how the active sound fares up against the old one with M Performance Exhaust. The exhaust transforms the cars so much, same deep growl and loud cold starts.

MikeVictor · 08-04-2014, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knightsabers

Hmm...I wonder how the active sound fares up against the old one with M Performance Exhaust. The exhaust transforms the cars so much, same deep growl and loud cold starts.

I definitely prefer my car with the MPE and no AS.

knightsabers · 08-04-2014, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

I definitely prefer my car with the MPE and no AS.

I agree, the MPE is the probably the best for value upgrade you can get. I guess active sound is the new trend on most new cars these days eg. GTI & the Renault Clio GT with 6 customizable exhaust notes

J1n · 08-19-2014, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

The 2014 328i's use the Active Sound synthesiser to pipe artificial noise into the cabin.

WOW thats something new.. it's everywhere!

Aapparition90 · 08-19-2014, 10:31 PM

Can confirm, sounds a lot more throatier compared to 2012/13, does the mpe drone at all thinking of getting it and also is it ecu/valve controlled like the stock exhaust ?

MikeVictor · 08-20-2014, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 328ihp

Can confirm, sounds a lot more throatier compared to 2012/13, does the mpe drone at all thinking of getting it and also is it ecu/valve controlled like the stock exhaust ?

No and yes.

J1n · 08-20-2014, 08:18 PM

If you swap to the m performance exhaust does it make it even louder internally ? There is a mic near the exhaust isnt there

MikeVictor · 08-21-2014, 05:27 PM

AFAIK there's no microphone, it's purely a synthesised note being played.

x5mad · 08-24-2014, 12:19 AM

Mine is a nov 2013 build 328 and can definitely confirm that there is active sound design.

I have been playing around with the coding and there is an ASD ecu I have been messing around with. When turned off the sound is definitely a lot quieter, almost absent.

Before finding all this out I too was winding windows down and still could hear the sound. However, you really have to stick your head out of the window to find out that it is indeed all artificial. Another way to test is going under bridge or tunnel with windows down and dropping a few gears. As it is fake sound you won't get anything bouncing off the walls. In my 135 when I did this the sound bouncing off the walls was music!

I have tried coding in different engine sounds but either I'm doing it wrong or the ecu just doesn't have those engines pre programmed in despite being selectable.

Another thing you will notice with ASD is that changing into sport will increase the sound.

03-31-2014, 04:13 AM	#1
Max1964 New Member 4 Rep 6 Posts Drives: MY 14 328i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	New engine sound on 2014 328i I took delivery of my 2014 328i M sport a week ago and I have been pleasantly surprised by the sound of the engine. The demo 2013 sounded quite boring and I accepted that this is how mine would sound BUT my new baby has a deep growl to it that makes you want to floor it! I don't know what they have done but judging from the sound it seems that a lot of it is in the intake. Does anyone know what BMW did to get such an improvement? PS. I doubt it is synthetic via speakers. I can hear it with the windows down form the outside.
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03-31-2014, 04:19 AM	#2
Azurite M5 Private First Class 15 Rep 162 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Comp Pack Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	I thought it was active sound, I may be wrong though as I haven't heard or driven a MY14.
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03-31-2014, 05:02 AM	#4
Max1964 New Member 4 Rep 6 Posts Drives: MY 14 328i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	I did see a few posts around the globe that suggested active sound. My guess is that they have worked some magic with the intake and exhaust which could have some sort of mechanical device assisting the sound (rather than electronics) If it is a simple as an intake change, those of you who want a gruntier sound may have a simple solution. The salesman told me nothing about this "new sound" (not sure why) but at least it was nice surprise! I found some youtube videos. This is a 428 but this is how it sounds and note that the sound is more induction than exhaust ( hard to tell on video)
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03-31-2014, 05:15 AM	#5
Max1964 New Member 4 Rep 6 Posts Drives: MY 14 328i M Sport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	As long as you are happy, that all that matters.
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03-31-2014, 05:30 AM	#6
ilovewagons First Lieutenant 426 Rep 346 Posts Drives: 328i F31 M-Sport EB to MG F87 Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	I have a MY13 F31 and that's what mine sounded like. It gets even louder and sporty with a stage 1 tune (burbles and crackles on overrun, though a little muted with the stock muffler). I never understood why people moaned about this engine. It looooooves to be revved, sounds good doing it, improves the weight balance of the car and turns the 328i into a legit fast car, as opposed to the slow, expensive joke it used to be with the NA6.
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03-31-2014, 06:42 AM	#7
MikeVictor Brigadier General 211 Rep 3,288 Posts Drives: anything given a chance Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: .au iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda ND MX-5 [10.00]	The 2014 328i's use the Active Sound synthesiser to pipe artificial noise into the cabin.
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04-01-2014, 07:41 AM	#11
Aapparition90 Captain 193 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2016 lci m3 mw Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: sydney iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 bmw 328i [0.00] 2012 bmw 328i [0.00]	Regarding op, does the 2014 have any technical changes to the engine/exhaust? I thought it was all the same unless you buy the m perfomance exhaust.
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04-01-2014, 07:17 PM	#12
x5mad Lieutenant Colonel 352 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: iX 40 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List bmw [0.00]	My sales person advised me there was active sound for the MY14. My engine and exhaust is so quiet. Even revving past 6k and doing aggressive downshifts there is just so little noise :-( With the windows up it sounds good but hardly anything with windows down. On my 135i I loved changing down a few gears in a tunnel just for the hell of it as the sound was so addictive. I'm hoping an m perf exhaust will address this somewhat.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-04-2014, 09:21 PM	#13
MikeVictor Brigadier General 211 Rep 3,288 Posts Drives: anything given a chance Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: .au iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda ND MX-5 [10.00]	I have the use of a 2014 328i loaner today and it gave me my first taste of Active Sound for the N20. I honestly can't decide whether I like the it or not. It's not unpleasant at all, but the only analogy I can come up with is that it's like someone faking an orgasm.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-04-2014, 09:48 PM	#14
knightsabers Major 454 Rep 1,374 Posts Drives: Audi R8 v10 Spyder Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Sydney iTrader: (1) Garage List 2012 Audi R8 v10 Sp ... [0.00] 2013 BMW 328i F30 [9.66]	Hmm...I wonder how the active sound fares up against the old one with M Performance Exhaust. The exhaust transforms the cars so much, same deep growl and loud cold starts.
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08-19-2014, 10:31 PM	#18
Aapparition90 Captain 193 Rep 806 Posts Drives: 2016 lci m3 mw Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: sydney iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 bmw 328i [0.00] 2012 bmw 328i [0.00]	Can confirm, sounds a lot more throatier compared to 2012/13, does the mpe drone at all thinking of getting it and also is it ecu/valve controlled like the stock exhaust ?
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08-20-2014, 08:18 PM	#20
J1n Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,549 Posts Drives: R8 V8 '14 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Melbourne CBD iTrader: (0)	If you swap to the m performance exhaust does it make it even louder internally ? There is a mic near the exhaust isnt there
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08-21-2014, 05:27 PM	#21
MikeVictor Brigadier General 211 Rep 3,288 Posts Drives: anything given a chance Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: .au iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda ND MX-5 [10.00]	AFAIK there's no microphone, it's purely a synthesised note being played.
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08-24-2014, 12:19 AM	#22
x5mad Lieutenant Colonel 352 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: iX 40 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List bmw [0.00]	Mine is a nov 2013 build 328 and can definitely confirm that there is active sound design. I have been playing around with the coding and there is an ASD ecu I have been messing around with. When turned off the sound is definitely a lot quieter, almost absent. Before finding all this out I too was winding windows down and still could hear the sound. However, you really have to stick your head out of the window to find out that it is indeed all artificial. Another way to test is going under bridge or tunnel with windows down and dropping a few gears. As it is fake sound you won't get anything bouncing off the walls. In my 135 when I did this the sound bouncing off the walls was music! I have tried coding in different engine sounds but either I'm doing it wrong or the ecu just doesn't have those engines pre programmed in despite being selectable. Another thing you will notice with ASD is that changing into sport will increase the sound.
	Appreciate 0 Quote