E46 M3 noise, or lack of it!

[fatboynash]

Love my new (second hand) E46 M3 but am somewhat disappointed with the noise.

What options are there without sounding like a complete boy racer?

[ady702]

Google E46 OEM M3 exhaust mod

[fatboynash]

will do it now, thanks

[Panthro]

Disapointed with the engine noise or exhaust noise?

[bennyboysvuk]

These cars are pretty well insulated. Get rid of the insulation under the rear seats and in the boot and enjoy a little more noise from the exhaust PLUS some minor weight reduction too.

Win+Win!

[benny.c]

The most expensive option, but by far the best, is one of these:

[MOTK]

+1
the induction noise from these has to be heard to be believed. Simply great + I gained a fair amount of power +30hp
I went for the Geoff Steel Racing copy which isn't too expensive compared to the 3.5k thereabouts you'll need for the real one.

As also said get rid of the trim and polystyrene thing holding the tyre compressor etc. You will hear the exhaust a little more.

[leeson660]

Open the window

[solidlad84]

Induction noise may sound the best but if your budget doesn't stretch that far then an aftermarket backbox should do if you just want a bit more noise.

I'm on my second E46 at the moment, the first was fully standard exhaust wise whereas the current one had an aftermarket one on it already and it is more than loud enough for me now.

Still needs that induction noise though

[Amirhussain]

benny.c said:

The most expensive option, but by far the best, is one of these:

CSL airbox?

[benny.c]

The Geoff Steel Racing version of it, yes. Much, much cheaper than OEM.

[cerb4.5lee]

Panthro said:

Disapointed with the engine noise or exhaust noise?

I felt the same with my Z4M/E92 M3...I can blame owning a TVR for that though because after that both M cars sounded like a 1.2 corsa to my ears!

[161BMW]

cerb4.5lee said:

I felt the same with my Z4M/E92 M3...I can blame owning a TVR for that though because after that both M cars sounded like a 1.2 corsa to my ears!

Why aren't you in a TVR then ????

[cerb4.5lee]

161BMW said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I felt the same with my Z4M/E92 M3...I can blame owning a TVR for that though because after that both M cars sounded like a 1.2 corsa to my ears!

Why aren't you in a TVR then ????

I would have thought that's pretty obvious...reliability!! If money grew on trees though I would be in one for sure, I love beemers owned six of them in comparison to one TVR but bmws don't sound that great imo but they work & you can rely on them but they don't offer a very high excitement factor in my experience.

[gaz1234]

fatboynash said:

Love my new (second hand) E46 M3 but am somewhat disappointed with the noise.

What options are there without sounding like a complete boy racer?

Wtf?

[joema]

Oem exhaust mod is only really noticeable with your foot down. I like it.

Scorpion rear boxes sound good and are reasonably priced.

Eisenmann and supersprint are bloody expensive

[Leins]

cerb4.5lee said:

I would have thought that's pretty obvious...reliability!! If money grew on trees though I would be in one for sure, I love beemers owned six of them in comparison to one TVR but bmws don't sound that great imo but they work & you can rely on them but they don't offer a very high excitement factor in my experience.

You've been driving the wrong BMWs then

[bennyboysvuk]

cerb4.5lee said:

I would have thought that's pretty obvious...reliability!! If money grew on trees though I would be in one for sure, I love beemers owned six of them in comparison to one TVR but bmws don't sound that great imo but they work & you can rely on them but they don't offer a very high excitement factor in my experience.

I think you might have confused BMW 'exciting' with TVR 'terrifying'.

[cerb4.5lee]

Leins said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I would have thought that's pretty obvious...reliability!! If money grew on trees though I would be in one for sure, I love beemers owned six of them in comparison to one TVR but bmws don't sound that great imo but they work & you can rely on them but they don't offer a very high excitement factor in my experience.

You've been driving the wrong BMWs then

I think you are spot on! both M cars ive owned were duffers the Z4M & E92 M3 aren't the best examples to be fair both carry too much weight & lack any real excitement.

Which ones do you think will float my boat then? I reckon a 1M would raise a few smiles & I am really looking forward to the next M3 as on paper that should hit the spot.

[cerb4.5lee]

bennyboysvuk said:

cerb4.5lee said:

I would have thought that's pretty obvious...reliability!! If money grew on trees though I would be in one for sure, I love beemers owned six of them in comparison to one TVR but bmws don't sound that great imo but they work & you can rely on them but they don't offer a very high excitement factor in my experience.

I think you might have confused BMW 'exciting' with TVR 'terrifying'.

Beemers are just very well engineered which I totally respect but by being that way they are just competent & lack any WOW factor for me but I appreciate if you want something to rely on that drives nice they do a good job.