Another option for deactivating Active Sound Design

[CanAutM3]

Beautiful warm spring day on this Good Friday, so I took the opportunity of my day off to pull the plug on active sound.

Couldn't be happier. The car is nice and quiet at low speed and at highway cruise yet opens up to a nice I6 growl when you get on the throttle that transforms to a howl at high revs . Gone is the artificial rumble .

It makes you wonder why BMW even bothered with ASD .

to dhoggm3 and Krish_1 for their tips about the rear panels .

[guitarman1]

I pulled the plug today as well. Not sure where the torx screw is others are talking about, but was able to squeeze my hand in, flip up the black lever on the plug, and wiggle it out. The pictures on this thread were very helpful, as were the instructions others have written. I can't do much about the wife complaining the car wakes her up in the morning when I leave for work, but at least it should be quieter when we go for a drive.

[AM4ZING]

Wow seems like a lot of you guys have unplugged the ASD... what would you even hear prior to unplugging it?

[dim635csi]

Originally Posted by AM4ZING

Wow seems like a lot of you guys have unplugged the ASD... what would you even hear prior to unplugging it?

Some sound, even when you're not making one...

[guitarman1]

It's funny how the guys over on the 435i forum are trying to tweak their active sound to mimic the one in the M4 and the M4 guys are disabling it.

[AM4ZING]

Originally Posted by dim635csi

Some sound, even what you're not making one...

so it wouldn't work in sync with engine rpms rising?

[dim635csi]

Originally Posted by AM4ZING

so it wouldn't work in sync with engine rpms rising?

As it was said before, you cannot hear engine well enough in F8x (same as in my old 335i). At least you can hear exhaust sound related to RPM and turbo whines (having windows down) now..

[Woodengun]

Just piling on. I unplugged the ASD - used some gaffers tape to hold the harness/plug to body so it doesn't rattle.

The car is definitely much quieter inside. It doesn't bother me either way but the Mrs and younger son definitely complained about the noise before. They shouldn't complain anymore.

[roders]

Just did this on ours and it is a HUGE difference.
Only thing I found was that there was no need to remove any trim.
Just pop off the plastic tray and you can put your hand down and unplug the ASD module

We are in Australia, so not sure if it a RHD / Australian config to have that tray.....

[guitarman1]

I'm not sure what you unplugged, but I just checked my car again and could not access the active sound amp by popping out that tray. The active sound module is further back towards the taillight.

[roders]

Unplugged the correct plug to the ASD module.
Under tray is the TV Tuner module which sits on top of the HK amp.
But it you can see behind that (towards the rear bumper) the ASD plug which is accessible via screwdriver or small hands.
Confirmed it was the right module by removing the trim too just to be safe.

[Mr. Hankey]

Did this today after driving around for a while with ASD coded off. This car sounds great without ASD, so happy.

I however am apparently a little slow and couldn't initially figure out how to pull the plug once I was able to see my target...so here are pics to complete this thread...you have to push the button on the off-white part and then swing the black lever up and the entire "cartridge" ejects from the ASD. I initially didn't have enough exposure and was just going to try a screwdriver but wasn't successful so had to take a few more clips out.


Here it is through the hole from the plastic floor (note there is a plastic backet I moved out of the way to see this and am pulling the trunk cover toward me to get this view...you can't just see the thing by removing the floor piece):



Here it is with the black lever swinging up after pressing the little button latching the black lever down:



And like David Copperfield...wallah!

[VancouverDCT]

Originally Posted by jewels

My previous to the M4, GTR was fairly quiet inside the cabin, guess I got spoiled.

I was looking at the GTR when I bought the M4.
It's much more expensive, though.
In the end I got a really good deal on the M4, but i'm interested in your experience:
1) Driving experience - how are you finding the different road feel?
2) Ownership experience - how do you find dealerships, service, etc?

[jewels]

Originally Posted by VancouverDCT

I was looking at the GTR when I bought the M4.
It's much more expensive, though.
In the end I got a really good deal on the M4, but i'm interested in your experience:
1) Driving experience - how are you finding the different road feel?
2) Ownership experience - how do you find dealerships, service, etc?

1) Driving experience-The GTR is point and go auto, even though it's limits of acceleration and turning G's may be higher than the M4 it is homogenized.
You feel like it is doing what you want but in it's own electronic way.
I drove my GTR for 5 years on racetrack and DD (I was one of the first). I never felt I was totally in control, it was always interfering (probably to my benefit) I wasn't connected. The M4 is a much nicer driver experience, you feel like you are in control and actually positioning it where you want it. Road feel is much better than the GTR.
2) Ownership experience- The GTR had some early teething problems that were quickly addressed some times several times....The problem was there were not hardly any "GTR tech's" and those that were available I had to travel sometimes 100miles to because some early dealers had closed.
Overall the car was very reliable, the M4 will not have the dealer problems.

With all of the above said ...the GTR was fast, fast...but the M4 is much more fun. So much more of a drivers car...and I love my Vert.

[VancouverDCT]

Interesting summary.
Oddly, my experience is opposite.

I kept my G35 for 13 years (also bought the first one) because there was nothing I could either afford or seemed equally enjoyable at the same price point.

In comparison, the M4 feels like a very, very fast truck.
I feel more disconnected than before.
So the GTR would have been even worse transition I guess.

Anyhow I guess we are officially OT but thanks again for the insight.

[Mandi90TT]

Originally Posted by VancouverDCT

Interesting summary.
Oddly, my experience is opposite.

I kept my G35 for 13 years (also bought the first one) because there was nothing I could either afford or seemed equally enjoyable at the same price point.

In comparison, the M4 feels like a very, very fast truck.
I feel more disconnected than before.
So the GTR would have been even worse transition I guess.

Anyhow I guess we are officially OT but thanks again for the insight.

I had a G35 coupe for 9 years (modified it with a JWT TT kit, along with other things) and my experience is completely different than yours. The G35 coupe was a great car with good handling, slightly lackluster on the power until I modified it and then had plenty of power, and overall was definitely something I loved, and took to the track on a regular basis. However, the M4 is leaps and bounds beyond it. Power, handling, and overall fit and finish. Even sound... The steering also is quite nice, from the loose and numb feeling of comfort to the just right feeling of sport, to the too tight feel of sport+ (YMMV). To me, in no way, shape or form does it feel like a very fast truck.

In fact, the only thing I liked better about the G35 was in some ways the looks/appearance. Also, the fact that I could sync the dual climate controls with the push of a button....come on, BMW, it's ridiculous that I can't sync the dual temp controls. WTF?!?!?!??!!??!

[NetBoy]

totally worth the 30 minutes it took so my fat hand could reach that tab. took 5 minutes to put it all back.

[Pinz]

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

Also, the fact that I could sync the dual climate controls with the push of a button....come on, BMW, it's ridiculous that I can't sync the dual temp controls. WTF?!?!?!??!!??!

What, they took out the "ALL" button? I use that button all the time!

[Mandi90TT]

Yeah, that button is gone.

[klrgoten]

I pulled the asd amp wiring and it seemed to disable all sound in the car as well... no radio, nav sounds, etc

[roders]

Originally Posted by klrgoten

I pulled the asd amp wiring and it seemed to disable all sound in the car as well... no radio, nav sounds, etc

This would be because you dont have HK Sound System

[BMWM.D.]

Originally Posted by klrgoten

I pulled the asd amp wiring and it seemed to disable all sound in the car as well... no radio, nav sounds, etc

Originally Posted by BMWM.D.

Now, I think this is only a solution for cars with the Harmon Kardon sound system. The reason being that the ASD module is integrated into the system differently depending on audio system level. The H/K amplifier gets signals via hardwire from the ASD module, as well as regular stereo sound from the head unit via the fiber optic most-bus. The amp mixes the tones and outputs them to the speakers. On a basic stereo, the ASD module is actually in series between the head unit and the amplifier. So simply unplugging it would probably kill the entire audio system (like a fuse pull).

That's why I put this ^^^^ paragraph in my OP. I'm guessing you have the standard audio system. Or maybe you unplugged the wrong module? This will only work on H/K cars, though.