Discussion
I've been mulling this over and I found that the stock BMW factory setup is wrong and boring IMHO. It always starts in Efficient Mode which is too quiet, if you want any decent sound you have to put it in Sport and push on. This results in a dull, less than satisfying experience.
I did the OEM exhaust mod on mine, all of 15 mins under the car - opens the exhaust valves. It makes abig difference, possibly and not to everyone's taste but it suites the car better and made it much it more entertaining. It also decreased my MPG as I wasn't trying to gun it everywhere to get some noise in Sport Mode. A more novel benefit than desired.
Without this it's simply too quiet. It should be Sport as standard with the option to go to Efficient, It'sthe wrong way round. I also now have an ESS unit connected which increases the bhp and torque by approx 50-60 units on both counts. The map has the added benefit of changing the mapping so that the throttle response is better, less fidgidity and power kicks in slightly further up the Rev range. Very useful for wet conditions and spirited starts.
If BMW could get the AMG sound track on this car it would do a lot better on test drives. If the new C63 AMG Coupe was available sooner chances are I would have it. However it gives me chance to save for an AMG GT S.
PS - For me personally a move to Merc is a big thing. I had one of the first SL55 AMGs in the UK and it ended up in bits. Loved the car, the sound etc but mechanically made of cheese if pressed hard and the local dealers are muppets on a galactic level. Had many BMWs and previously they've proved the most reliable and rounded package.
Perhaps the take away is simply that things change and you have to move on....
I did the OEM exhaust mod on mine, all of 15 mins under the car - opens the exhaust valves. It makes abig difference, possibly and not to everyone's taste but it suites the car better and made it much it more entertaining. It also decreased my MPG as I wasn't trying to gun it everywhere to get some noise in Sport Mode. A more novel benefit than desired.
Without this it's simply too quiet. It should be Sport as standard with the option to go to Efficient, It'sthe wrong way round. I also now have an ESS unit connected which increases the bhp and torque by approx 50-60 units on both counts. The map has the added benefit of changing the mapping so that the throttle response is better, less fidgidity and power kicks in slightly further up the Rev range. Very useful for wet conditions and spirited starts.
If BMW could get the AMG sound track on this car it would do a lot better on test drives. If the new C63 AMG Coupe was available sooner chances are I would have it. However it gives me chance to save for an AMG GT S.
PS - For me personally a move to Merc is a big thing. I had one of the first SL55 AMGs in the UK and it ended up in bits. Loved the car, the sound etc but mechanically made of cheese if pressed hard and the local dealers are muppets on a galactic level. Had many BMWs and previously they've proved the most reliable and rounded package.
Perhaps the take away is simply that things change and you have to move on....
Edited by GameOverMan! on Friday 9th January 21:32
Edited by GameOverMan! on Friday 9th January 21:33
Edited by GameOverMan! on Friday 9th January 22:09
GameOverMan! said:
I've been mulling this over and I found that the stock BMW factory setup is wrong and boring IMHO. It always starts in Efficient Mode which is too quiet, if you want any decent sound you have to put it in Sport and push on. This results in a dull, less than satisfying experience.
I did the OEM exhaust mod on mine, all of 15 mins under the car - opens the exhaust valves. It makes abig difference, possibly and not to everyone's taste but it suites the car better and made it much it more entertaining. It also increased my MPG as I wasn't trying to gun it everywhere to get some noise in Sport Mode. A more novel benefit than desired.
Without this it's simply too quiet. It should be Sport as standard with the option to go to Efficient, It'sthe wrong way round. I also now have an ESS unit connected which increases the bhp and torque by approx 50-60 units on both counts. The map has the added benefit of changing the mapping so that the throttle response is better, less fidgidity and power kicks in slightly further up the Rev range. Very useful for wet conditions and spirited starts.
If BMW could get the AMG sound track on this car it would do a lot better on test drives. If the new C63 AMG Coupe was available sooner chances are I would have it. However it gives me chance to save for an AMG GT S.
PS - For me personally a move to Merc is a big thing. I had one of the first SL55 AMGs in the UK and it ended up in bits. Loved the car, the sound etc but mechanically made of cheese if pressed hard and the local dealers are muppets on a galactic level. Had many BMWs and previously they've proved the most reliable and rounded package.
Perhaps the take away is simply that things change and you have to move on....
Are you talking about the M3 in your profile?I did the OEM exhaust mod on mine, all of 15 mins under the car - opens the exhaust valves. It makes abig difference, possibly and not to everyone's taste but it suites the car better and made it much it more entertaining. It also increased my MPG as I wasn't trying to gun it everywhere to get some noise in Sport Mode. A more novel benefit than desired.
Without this it's simply too quiet. It should be Sport as standard with the option to go to Efficient, It'sthe wrong way round. I also now have an ESS unit connected which increases the bhp and torque by approx 50-60 units on both counts. The map has the added benefit of changing the mapping so that the throttle response is better, less fidgidity and power kicks in slightly further up the Rev range. Very useful for wet conditions and spirited starts.
If BMW could get the AMG sound track on this car it would do a lot better on test drives. If the new C63 AMG Coupe was available sooner chances are I would have it. However it gives me chance to save for an AMG GT S.
PS - For me personally a move to Merc is a big thing. I had one of the first SL55 AMGs in the UK and it ended up in bits. Loved the car, the sound etc but mechanically made of cheese if pressed hard and the local dealers are muppets on a galactic level. Had many BMWs and previously they've proved the most reliable and rounded package.
Perhaps the take away is simply that things change and you have to move on....
Edited by GameOverMan! on Friday 9th January 21:32
Edited by GameOverMan! on Friday 9th January 21:33
CheesyFootballs said:
What's the ESS unit?
General description would be a ECU piggy back system to provide engine remap. Not rocket science to install and seems to work very well so far, still Waiting for a dry day to test the full potential. Brief testing has been very pleasing.... :-)However, I've found the car a better drive as the throttle isn't as sensitive which means the car is less of a handful setting off in the wet or iced conditions.
Happy to email you more info on spec and install.
Edited by GameOverMan! on Friday 9th January 22:13
GameOverMan! said:
I've been mulling this over and I found that the stock BMW factory setup is wrong and boring IMHO. It always starts in Efficient Mode which is too quiet, if you want any decent sound you have to put it in Sport and push on. This results in a dull, less than satisfying experience.
That's because of the emissions tests, which are conducted with the cars in their default mode.GameOverMan! said:
If BMW could get the AMG sound track on this car it would do a lot better on test drives. If the new C63 AMG Coupe was available sooner chances are I would have it. However it gives me chance to save for an AMG GT S.
Well the new C63 is turbocharged too so I don't think it would have the thunderous noise of the old 6.2 V8.dazwalsh said:
Was sat behind one in traffic today, glorious looking thing I reckon, prettiest BMW to leave the factory in years but does it really need quad exhausts?
Glorious looking and prettiest BMW 
...that isn't actually saying much to be fair because all of the range is ugly imo and the M4 isn't exactly bucking the trend! M cars have had quad exhausts for a few years now...you need to start criticising the Golf R/Audi TTS/S3 and the like that have four cylinder engines and quad pipes before you start on M cars!
Swapped my 997 911 Turbo for an M4 last month.
Glad I did. I've have an E46 M3 CSL, E46 M3, E90 M3 and now the F80 M4.
Can't complain. It's an around great car to drive. Much prefer it the E90.
All down to personal taste and requirements but I'm impressed with it. Inside and out and that's all that matters.
Glad I did. I've have an E46 M3 CSL, E46 M3, E90 M3 and now the F80 M4.
Can't complain. It's an around great car to drive. Much prefer it the E90.
All down to personal taste and requirements but I'm impressed with it. Inside and out and that's all that matters.
bigtime said:
I love the new M4 but surely a 997 turbo is a much more entertaining and capable car.
You may be surprised, I have a Carrera 4 Cab : brand new on loan for a couple of weeks, f
king awful car , tyre noise over 50/60 MPH gives a headache thumps and bumps over poor roads, and needs the bks reved off to get going, and all this @ £97.5K, not a keeper can't wait to get my M6 GC CP back.Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff