F10 M5 Active Sound Disabled (DIY and Audio Clips)

[BenTrovato]

I agree with everyone who do not like it because I don't either. However, this is the future. As cars become more technologically dependent, engine noise will be reduced to far less noise levels than today's cars. In the future, all engine noise will be produced artificially and I guess you can say that BMW is at the forefront?

[mapezzul]

It truly is the lack of sound entering the cabin- not the sound on the outside so I wouldn't say it needs an exhaust upgrade. For many that buy this car it serves dual purpose, sporty and yet sophisticated enough to transport colleagues and business associates. Not to mention not everyone wants to hear a very loud exhaust daily.

But once again- it sounds great at WOT from the outside so I don't see that as BMW making the exhaust too tame.

[hwelvaar]

Originally Posted by Mista_Vanquish

The point is, BMW can't just FORCE this on the customer. Did BMW conduct a customer survey asking if more engine sound was needed in future vehicles? NO. There is no way you make a design decision like this on behalf of the consumer and make them live with it.

Eh, I kinda LOLed... basically all technical/design decisions of every car are made on behalf of the customer... and customers just have to live with it, or get another brand/car.

[jayparry]

The sound sounds synthetic. I think this was a mis-step on their part.

Didn't the hear of the backlash when VW piped a "sound-tube" into the cabin of the GTI? That actually cost the car a few horsepower even - everyone modded that out.

[727jbh]

It's still a sweet sound to my ears!!!

[AnalogDan]

I don't mind it.

If it allows BMW to filter out more wind/road noise in favor of the engine noise, then I think it's a great idea.

But I'm a technology geek, so stuff like this actually excites me. I can't wait until we have electric cars that sound like the space shuttle launching.

[E90Fleet]

Seems the German factories dont care too much about the little things or attention to small details.

Had a look at a couple 3 Series built here in South Africa and all the fuses in the fuse panel have been put in with their lettering facing the same way unlike the M5 Panel below where the fuses are just inserted any way around.

[Forster]

Lol! The difference is so small IMO

[Grumpy514]

It does kinda sound like a video game. Meh. I agree there should be an I drive option to cancel that. After getting exhaust there is no way i'd want to listen to something replicated over my exhaust, and then disabeling it not having the option to play music.

[positiveions]

it's all about marketing.
I'd rather not mess with it, and just leave it alone.

[skalberti]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

I think there is a simple fix for BMW on this, leave the system in the M5 and all the next ones they have it lines up for, but put a option in Idrive to disable it.

Will make everyone happy.

I bet this can be turned off via coding.

[e92ben]

The turbo wind is intoxicating. I don't really hear much of a difference to be honest....

[Canuckles]

Don't like it on BMW's, but Audi's system of using a similar method to compensate for half the cylinder block de-activating makes sense. Personally I prefer, like most others, an un-altered or simulated cacophony.

[Remonster]

I'm 100% against it, both in theory because I think it's a stupid idea and in practice because I don't think it sounds very convincing. I could tell immediately that it was an artificial sound and I wasn't even looking at my screen so I didn't see whether the first run was the before or after.

Overall it's a minor detail, I would still buy the new M5 or M6 in a second if I could afford them and I'd get over the active sound pretty quickly, but I wish there was a way to just turn it off.

I can understand what led BMW to include this feature though, the car with active sound turned off is way too quiet inside and the noises you do hear aren't nearly as aggressive and sporty as is expected in an M5. I've had the privilege of driving E34, E39 and E60 M5s and they each had an extraordinary engine sound that this new TTV8 does not, but I don't understand why BMW couldn't have just reduced the amount of noise insulation between the engine and exhaust and the passenger compartment, or just made the exhaust louder...the new twin turbo AMGs sound absolutely incredible and I've never found the new E63 or CLS63 to be too noisy inside.

[YolkyPalky]

I think BMW may have "jumped the shark" on this one. BMW should absolutely give the driver the option through iDrive of turning off the piped in sounds.

I don't think BMW quite understands the $100K+ sedan buyer here in the U.S. $100K+ sedan buyers at times want a QUIET cabin to make important phone calls, conduct business, participate in conference calls, etc. Yes, having deep throaty exhaust/engine sounds is cool sometimes, but why BMW thinks a $100K+ sedan buyer wants that 100% of the time is beyond me.

I am betting a fix is coming giving drivers an option to turn off active sound when desired.

[Robert B]

Originally Posted by Mista_Vanquish
The point is, BMW can't just FORCE this on the customer. Did BMW conduct a customer survey asking if more engine sound was needed in future vehicles? NO. There is no way you make a design decision like this on behalf of the consumer and make them live with it.

Originally Posted by hwelvaar

Eh, I kinda LOLed... basically all technical/design decisions of every car are made on behalf of the customer... and customers just have to live with it, or get another brand/car.

I had the same reaction. To avoid any manufacturer from forcing a design decision on you, you need to design and build your own car. Good luck

[mdh]

To me, Active Sound is simply the worst idea that BMW has come up with since I've been buying them. I'm not saying it would prevent me from buying the car, which is a great machine. I just don't understand why BMW couldn't do what Porsche does, and put valves in the exhaust and divert the intake sound in through valved tubes going into the A pillars. The sound is incredible this way.

The difference in the video I hear is mainly just the volume of the sound. BUT, this is with an absolutely new car, engine, and stock exhaust. What will be really interesting is the difference as the engine/exhaust gets some miles on it. I know my E60 M5 definitely sounded MUCH different once I built up the miles than it did when new. Maybe some people will see this as an advantage - "the engine note always sounds like new". However, if there's ever a problem, you'll have to hear it over the 'perfect' engine sound.

What will really be amusing is to hear the difference between Active Sound and not with an aftermarket exhaust. You'll hear the stock sound pumped into the cabin through Active Sound over the real aftermarket sound. Just ridiculous.

[heart_doctor]

Originally Posted by Mista_Vanquish

The point is, BMW can't just FORCE this on the customer. Did BMW conduct a customer survey asking if more engine sound was needed in future vehicles? NO. It seems the designer of the M5 just decided, based on personal preference, that the F10 M5 needed additional engine noise in the cabin. There is no way you make a design decision like this on behalf of the consumer and make them live with it.

You do have a choice, don't buy it!

[GuyOh]

couldn't hear a difference... maybe AS a tad louder...

[Jblack4083]

I don't think they will include it in the next M3 due to the lack of a need to insulate sound in it and the fact that they have already done a FI 6-cyl and managed a "decent" exhaust note.

[nlpamg]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

I think there is a simple fix for BMW on this, leave the system in the M5 and all the next ones they have it lines up for, but put a option in Idrive to disable it.

Will make everyone happy.

agreed.

for those people that will put on aftermarket exhausts on their cars, the active sound will surely not sound proper.

[SlammedM6]

Lets hope that the 2013 mode run will come with an option in the I drive to turn it on or off