[235iguy]

Firstly, I have disabled active sound design (ASD). I hated it.

Now. When the windows are up, even in sports mode, it is very hard to hear anything. i.e. engine/exhaust note in my 235i. This gives a disconnected feeling when driving the car. I would like better sound feedback when I change gear.

Even with the windows DOWN it is very hard to hear anything!!

I think this is due to major wind buffeting when the windows are down. All you can hear is blustery wind in your ears when the windows are cracked or at any level other than up.

I had a 135i and it never had this problem at all. Either with the windows up or down, you could hear it easily - and the wind buffeting problem was non existent.

I am guessing with the 235i there is increased sound proofing/deadening which makes the cabin super quiet... otherwise why can can I only hear about 5% or 10% of the engine/exhaust noise that I could with the 135i? It is crazy quiet inside the 235i.

From the outside the exhaust sounds plenty loud and has a lovely note - but you just cannot hear it from inside! The only time I get to hear it is if someone else revs it and I am outside or if I am going slowly through a narrow street with my windows down, and buildings on both sides to reflect the noise back.

With the windows up, is this a sound deadening problem? Even weedy 1 litre engine cars have more cabin noise than my 235i... strange.

With the windows down I think it is an aerodynamics problem. I have been told upgrading to M ears mirror caps helps - I have ordered them.

Any thoughts?

[fiveightandten]

I’ve also noticed that modern BMWs have really bad wind noise with the windows down. I don’t have that issue with my older BMWs. I suppose they just aren’t targeted at people who drive around with the windows open and want a driving experience. It’s more of a luxury driving feel, that means isolation. I also disabled Active Sound.

Anyways; My car has a BMS intake. It makes great turbo noises. So while I can’t hear the exhaust much, I can hear a lot of turbo spool and induction noise. An exposed filter intake may be a cheap and easy way for you to get some honest noise in the cabin.

[ZHP to B58]

I have a 240 now but I also have ASD off in addition to an open air intake and catless downpipe.

Nothing can be heard when cruising but step on it a little and it opens up.

For the 235, unless you get a catless downpipe or remove the resonators, your next best bet would be to get a muffler. Maybe M Performance if you want to keep it OEM.

[Kernel Kurtz]

Originally Posted by 235iguy

With the windows down I think it is an aerodynamics problem. I have been told upgrading to M ears mirror caps helps - I have ordered them.

Any thoughts?

I have some M-style mirror caps. Chinesium, not OEM. They have more wind noise than the stock caps.

[Oltimer]

you need a vert my friend even in geriatric mode the sound is awesome jus sayin

[235iguy]

Originally Posted by Oltimer

you need a vert my friend even in geriatric mode the sound is awesome jus sayin

What's a vert?

edit a convertible? no thanks.

[235iguy]

Originally Posted by Kernel Kurtz

I have some M-style mirror caps. Chinesium, not OEM. They have more wind noise than the stock caps.

Someone on another forum said it solved their wind problem. They weren't OEM but German high quality carbon clones.

[235iguy]

I feel it must be a sound proofing problem if the exhaust sounds great from the inside.

I have no idea how to get at it though.

I seen a thread where one dude did a major project and ADDED IN sound deadening material in a 235i which I found very weird


https://www.2addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1603280

Surely it already comes with sound deadening?

The full M2 car doesn't I am sure.

[mecheng77]

Go on a road trip and you might change your mind. I find the car to have a bit too much road noise, I don’t think they use the felt wheel liners like my e90
Has

[235iguy]

Nope.

It is the quietest car I've hard by a long shot. It's near silent even though it puts out almost 400 BHP... !

[marksandygill]

My wife's M240i has the M Performance exhaust, definitely more noise than my standard M240i!

And yes, it's not constantly noisy but what cars are these days with emission and noise regulations!!😂

Stick it in sports plus and floor it, you'll still get a lovely soundtrack!!😄

[mecheng77]

Originally Posted by 235iguy

Nope.

It is the quietest car I've hard by a long shot. It's near silent even though it puts out almost 400 BHP... !

Drive a e90 with N52. Engine is silent