[Rupes]

Love the idea of a 228 (now 230), but am less enthusiastic about the engine/exhaust note. Anyone have any insight if the B46 corrects some of the harshness of the N20?

[RoundelM3]

The engine has nothing to do with the exhaust note in this case - it's all in the exhaust system behind the engine. They are both inline-4 turbo engines with essentially the same VANOS/Valvetronic systems. My '16 228i convertible has the N26 engine and there's nothing "harsh" about it or its exhaust note that I can detect. It's not as refined as my 335i's N55, but that's to be expected.

[crabu2]

You're going to go and test drive and listen for yourself.. Everyone has their likes and dislikes...

As for what I think it sounds like.... Nothing to me.. I really don't hear the B46 engine in my car. Maybe I keep the music up too loud.. no idea.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by crabu2

You're going to go and test drive and listen for yourself.. Everyone has their likes and dislikes...

As for what I think it sounds like.... Nothing to me.. I really don't hear the B46 engine in my car. Maybe I keep the music up too loud.. no idea.

You are correct.

It sounds nothing like any BMW even at full song.

[pz619]

My guess is that like the n20, it probably doesn't sound "great". However, there is active sound which I do believe is a plus in the 4 bangers. I would definitely give it a test drive though as obviously this is all subjective.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by pz619

My guess is that like the n20, it probably doesn't sound "great". However, there is active sound which I do believe is a plus in the 4 bangers. I would definitely give it a test drive though as obviously this is all subjective.

When a newly developed BMW 4 goes flying by it sounds like absolutely nothing or sounds just plain horrible. The End /

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by crabu2

As for what I think it sounds like.... Nothing to me.. I really don't hear the B46 engine in my car. Maybe I keep the music up too loud.. no idea

Same here...I'm paying attention to the music.

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

When a newly developed BMW 4 goes flying by it sounds like absolutely nothing or sounds just plain horrible. The End /

And, if we're inside listening to music or talking, what does it matter if pedestrians don't notice?

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Same here...I'm paying attention to the music.

And, if we're inside listening to music or talking, what does it matter if pedestrians don't notice?

To you it doesn't matter.

It still matters to many besides you.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

To you it doesn't matter.

It still matters to many besides you.

I believe you...just wondering why, though? I understand if you like the sound (or not), but the part about as the cars go by, with reactions of strangers....why does that matter? Just interested....

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I believe you...just wondering why, though? I understand if you like the sound (or not), but the part about as the cars go by, with reactions of strangers....why does that matter? Just interested....

I'll give you a perfect example.

My wife, who could give a rats ass about anything that comes out of a car including sound, made a comment the other day about a speeding 230i that went flying by full-song and she said why does that car sounds so pathetic?

She was right it sounded weak.

To many, that is a problem.

[crabu2]

So I had the top down and put the car in Sport +.. Drove it hard for about a 1/2 miles going up a fairly steep hill with no music. The engine sound was barely audible and what I could hear was from the exhaust. I'm thinking I don't have active sound in my car. I remember the cars I test drove made way more sound and I couldn't tell then that it was coming from the rear exhaust. I almost feel like my car sounds like a hybrid... There's barely any engine noise.

[shil]

I know that it’s awesome to tear around all impressed with yourself and the great noises that your car’s making. Pedestrians and homeowners would rather not hear it. No one else cares.

[B_Rice]

Doesn't really sound any different unfortunately. My coworker opted for a m235i rather than a 228 just because of the sound.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by ORIGIN M.

I'll give you a perfect example.

My wife, who could give a rats ass about anything that comes out of a car including sound, made a comment the other day about a speeding 230i that went flying by full-song and she said why does that car sounds so pathetic?

She was right it sounded weak.

To many, that is a problem.

Can we keep the comments to what the OP asked, please?

Engine sound matters to many. We get it. Thing is, not all cars -- even performance cars -- are designed to supply this as a primary goal. Why? Because it doesn't matter to everyone. If it did, these cars wouldn't sell.

Realize this, and be happy that there are choices to satiate those like you and those not like you. Don't be a flamer, man.

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Can we keep the comments to what the OP asked, please?

Engine sound matters to many. We get it. Thing is, not all cars -- even performance cars -- are designed to supply this as a primary goal. Why? Because it doesn't matter to everyone. If it did, these cars wouldn't sell.

Realize this, and be happy that there are choices to satiate those like you and those not like you. Don't be a flamer, man.

[caycep]

To be honest, my N26 doesn't make much sound at all... (great for long cruising drives w/ company in the passenger seat!)

[BarryJI]

You don't buy -- and tune -- a high-performance car only for it to sound like a hair dryer.

[Luftwaffe1O1]

The engine itself, most of the 4 bangers, are not going to make much of a noise. What is mostly audible is going to be the exhaust. You can always remedy that, however, typically I am not a fan of the way 4 cylinders sound.

[morphomeman]

Two thoughts.
First, are we talking about the sound from inside or from outside? If I am driving, I don't give a rat's ass about what the car sounds like from outside, which many of these comments appear to address. The sound from outside matters only if my goal is to impress others.
Second, what about cars that make no sound, a Tesla, for example? Are they inherently less worthy because of their silence? Or, in the case of the Tesla, is the badge a sufficient indicator of my lofty status? And man, do those things accelerate fast!

[samej]

From within the car the 4 banger sounds fine - kudos to ASD. My 2013 328 did not have ASD and frankly sounded lame in day to day driving - like an anemic diesel. A friend had a 2013(?) 528 with ASD and it sounded just fine inside.

When I was test driving the 240 I took a 230 out for a spin as well - sounded great. I was tempted, maybe for 3 seconds ;-) to save the cash and go with the 230 - it is very, very good. Definitely a lighter nose and a different sense of balance and poise vs the 240.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by samej

...go with the 230 - it is very, very good. Definitely a lighter nose and a different sense of balance and poise vs the 240.

This is off-topic here, but you are so correct! This has been debated on other threads and I agree completely with you, although there are those who counter that they don't feel it. OK...back to sound!

[crabu2]

Originally Posted by samej

From within the car the 4 banger sounds fine - kudos to ASD. My 2013 328 did not have ASD and frankly sounded lame in day to day driving - like an anemic diesel. A friend had a 2013(?) 528 with ASD and it sounded just fine inside.

Speaking of ASD, I swear my April built 230 doesn't have it or it's turned off from the factory.. I don't hear my engine at all, unless the top's down and I hear it coming from actual tail pipe.

What's weird to me is that when I test drove a couple 2ers on the dealer lots before ordering, you could hear the engine sound (ASD) loud and clear.. There was no way I could tell it was coming from the exhaust because it was loud enough in Sport mode...

I wonder if BMW is now turning off ASD, on some cars, at the factory?