Two Improvements that transformed the car for me.....

[///M///]

1. Active Sound Disabled

2. MPE

Since this car was launched back in 2014 there have been numerous posts bashing the Engine(Turbos vs NA), Sound (not as good as the E9X) and not feeling as visceral as the previous M's or as raw as the E46. While I agreed with some of it (mainly sound and less rawness), I still strongly feel that this is easily the best M I have owned between the three I have had the privilege of owning over the years. There is absolutely no contest. It is fast, it handles like it is glued to the road and it looks amazing. So what was lacking? Sound and some rawness. Fast forward 6 months into the ownership and I recently added the MPE and got rid of the active sound. The valve controller was a bonus but not a must have.

Saying that these two changes have transformed the car is a huge understatement! Getting rid of the Active sound has brought about this rawness that I thought was lacking at first. It is extremely hard to describe the change and No it will never be as raw as my E46 M but it just feels more real, the mechanical sounds, the exhaust and the engine....all of which was drowned out earlier with this overwhelming surround sound in the cabin. Now the exhaust feels like it's in the back of the car and not all around like a theater with DTS sound.

The MPE is easily hands down the best change I could have made in terms of pure sound. It will never sound like the V8 so get over it but it is a huge improvement over stock. Yes there are other exhausts out there but after hearing most of them in person, this was it for me. I may give AWE a shot in the future when i want to change the full exhaust but I am not going to let go of this for as long as I own the car. It sounds freaking amazing at WOT And there is zero drone. Only an OEM exhaust can deliver that.

And incase I forgot to mention, going with a Manual was a very very good decision. You'll see what I mean when you watch this quick clip

[tremendo]

Very Cool. Just got a new 2016 M4 Convertible with M Performance Exhaust, and it sounds great. But there is no "low volume" switch when the car starts up under 60 degrees.

So which cars have Active sound?

[The D.A.]

Sounds good! Can't get enough of the M performance exhaust. IMHO I personally think it's the best sounding exhaust out of all the other after market exhaust.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by tremendo

Very Cool. Just got a new 2016 M4 Convertible with M Performance Exhaust, and it sounds great. But there is no "low volume" switch when the car starts up under 60 degrees.

So which cars have Active sound?

All cars. It's standard, not an option. Since you have the vert, you can just put the top down to get rid of it

[TonySCV]

Nice to have a vid with the M-Perf exhaust and active sound turned off to hear what it actually sounds like. Thanks for that!

[///M///]

Originally Posted by TonySCV

Nice to have a vid with the M-Perf exhaust and active sound turned off to hear what it actually sounds like. Thanks for that!

To be fair I am using an external mic so the video doesn't show anything related to the active sound. You just have to take my word for it

[Matt_B]

Sounds great. Question for MPE owners - how does the car sound in efficient throttle? I'm usually in sport or sport+ but occasionally need to be more quiet so as not to upset the wife or neighbors.

[CanAutM3]

I have to agree about the MPE and ASD. These two same mods also made my M4 much more enjoyable to me

I beg to differ on the valve controller though. I do not have a have controller on my car and I do think it is a MUST . I recently tried the valves open by removing the fuse. I was surprised by how much more enjoyable the car became in some driving conditions. Keeping the valves open all the time does not work for me, as I find it way too boomy cruising on the highway. But for spirited driving, those open valves are definitely better. I really question why BMW elected to close the valves as of third gear (unless being at WOT or above 4000RPM) in Sport and Sport+. It would have made more sense to me to close the valves with even higher gears, such as 5th an up for example. Anyhow, I now have a valve controller on order.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by Matt_B

Sounds great. Question for MPE owners - how does the car sound in efficient throttle? I'm usually in sport or sport+ but occasionally need to be more quiet so as not to upset the wife or neighbors.

Ask and you shall receive

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by dsm918

Ask and you shall receive

I can only assume that the first video was done with the valves kept open through the controller while the second video had the valves in OEM operations.

In the second video, we hear how the engines sounds strangled even in Sport and Sport+ when the ECU closes the valves. In the first video, the engine sounds as if it has a clear throat.

[///M///]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I can only assume that the first video was done with the valves kept open through the controller while the second video had the valves in OEM operations.

Correct. The valve controller is inactive in the second video.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Agree!!
This car surely needs disabling active sound and getting a real sound upgrade

[DaBean]

Can you post a video of highway speed in top gear, to show the "no drone"?

[///M///]

Originally Posted by DaBean

Can you post a video of highway speed in top gear, to show the "no drone"?

Very hard to capture in a video because of excessive background noise (Road, etc.). Trust me on this. OEM exhausts typically don't have any drone. However, if you cruise in 6th gear on the interstate with the valves 100% open, you will get drone. I don't care what exhaust it is.

[nathanm4]

How did you remove active sound??? I have a MPE too.

I wanna remove my active sound so bad! Please tell me.

[ptbarnacle]

Please excuse the newbie question.
Does the MPE exhaust increase hp or torque? I plan on changing out the intakes and exhaust to modestly increase hp after I put a few miles on it. Heard the stock exhaust and ASD and am not a fan. Plan to either code out the ASD or disconnect plug in trunk. Sound improvement is also a goal with exhaust.
Thanks

Ps- really love that sound. Perfect videos. Really helps decide.

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by nathanm4

How did you remove active sound??? I have a MPE too.

I wanna remove my active sound so bad! Please tell me.

Search this forum for threads on it. Video on removal of left rear trunk liner to get at plug behind left tail light. Also can code it off.

[Alvinized52]

Originally Posted by nathanm4

How did you remove active sound??? I have a MPE too.

I wanna remove my active sound so bad! Please tell me.

Search the threads.... You can either get it coded... Or manual unplug of connectors in the trunk area (diy).

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by ptbarnacle

Please excuse the newbie question.
Does the MPE exhaust increase hp or torque? I plan on changing out the intakes and exhaust to modestly increase hp after I put a few miles on it. Heard the stock exhaust and ASD and am not a fan. Plan to either code out the ASD or disconnect plug in trunk. Sound improvement is also a goal with exhaust.
Thanks

Ps- really love that sound. Perfect videos. Really helps decide.

No intake or (catted) exhaust will get you any meaningful added power.

If you want more power, go for a tune. Removing the cats will get you even more but the car becomes no longer emissions compliant.

[aboulfad]

Very nice sound! OT, There's something always exciting about seeing someone row through the gears with such ease and finesse, I miss driving an MT

[///M///]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Removing the cats will get you even more but the car becomes no longer emissions compliant.

Plus it smells. I could not handle it on my E90 M and had to put the CATS back on.

[ptbarnacle]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

No intake or (catted) exhaust will get you any meaningful added power.

If you want more power, go for a tune. Removing the cats will get you even more but the car becomes no longer emissions compliant.

Thanks.