Why the hell is the F80 so noisy? The cabin noise is like an econobox

[BimmerNugget]

I CURRENTLY own both, a 2010 E90 M3 and a 2018 F80 M3.

I noticed that the cabin noise was significantly louder compared to my E90 M3.

At first, I thought it was the old stiff tires so I bought new Michelin PS4S. Didn't solve the cabin noise issue.

Car is a 2018 competition pack F80 with only 13,900 miles on it as of today.

I love everything about the F80, my only complaint is the cabin noise and road noise. I am NOT exaggerating but it is actually about the same noise level as a Honda Civic Si econobox. My E90 M3 has a much quieter cabin and little road noise.

It's honestly driving me nuts, thinking this was a $85k car brand new. And how my older gen M3 is actually quieter?

[Humdizzle]

It shouldn't be that bad. I would try and test drive an f80 or f30 at your dealer to compare.

[M3SQRD]

I have a f82 and two e92 M3s. There no significant difference in noise that I hear in highway road driving conditions between the f82 and e92s. Could the ASD be part of the noise you’re hearing? I don’t have a zcp (‘16 MY before the zcp was released) but I doubt it has had significant sound deadening material removed from the zcp.compared to non-zcp.

[jagus]

Mine is also rather noisy, or noisier than other cars that I have had...

[RoundelM3]

My 2015 F80 non-comp with CF roof is relatively quiet (I have modified exhaust), and coding out ASD made quite a difference. I also recently installed new Michelin PS2s (previous Contis were 6 years old) and that helped somewhat too. But it's not a luxury car, and it is noisier than my previous F30 335i, but not significantly so. Definitely not as quiet as the wife's 2022 X3 30i. Next time you have your car on a lift, check for noisy wheel bearings or other possible noise sources (anything rubbing, etc.).

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

It's honestly driving me nuts, thinking this was a $85k car brand new. And how my older gen M3 is actually quieter?

I just came to say it was around 65k new. Adding options to a car does not make it quieter.

Try what other people have mentioned about the active sound, maybe that helps. I've had a CS and two GTSs, alongside an E90 and E92, and haven't noticed what you're mentioning.

[NWH83]

The only thing that bothered me was the door seals rubbing against the trim. There are plenty of threads about this but I followed this tutorial on the f30 forums and also found the Tommy L video really helpful. I admit it was a bit weird to apply teflon tape to this car, but you really have to be looking for it to even notice it, and it's proved to be a long term fix.
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1210175

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

I CURRENTLY own both, a 2010 E90 M3 and a 2018 F80 M3.

I noticed that the cabin noise was significantly louder compared to my E90 M3.

At first, I thought it was the old stiff tires so I bought new Michelin PS4S. Didn't solve the cabin noise issue.

Car is a 2018 competition pack F80 with only 13,900 miles on it as of today.

I love everything about the F80, my only complaint is the cabin noise and road noise. I am NOT exaggerating but it is actually about the same noise level as a Honda Civic Si econobox. My E90 M3 has a much quieter cabin and little road noise.

It's honestly driving me nuts, thinking this was a $85k car brand new. And how my older gen M3 is actually quieter?

Is it wind noise or road noise that irritates you more?

What wheels are on your E90? It might be the 20 666m wheels that have a thinner side wall that makes it worse or it could be due to a wider tire that also picks up more noise.

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

I CURRENTLY own both, a 2010 E90 M3 and a 2018 F80 M3.

I noticed that the cabin noise was significantly louder compared to my E90 M3.

At first, I thought it was the old stiff tires so I bought new Michelin PS4S. Didn't solve the cabin noise issue.

Car is a 2018 competition pack F80 with only 13,900 miles on it as of today.

I love everything about the F80, my only complaint is the cabin noise and road noise. I am NOT exaggerating but it is actually about the same noise level as a Honda Civic Si econobox. My E90 M3 has a much quieter cabin and little road noise.

It's honestly driving me nuts, thinking this was a $85k car brand new. And how my older gen M3 is actually quieter?

My 18 F80 with 6MT on 437 wheels set up did not experience the loud noise you mentioned, turned off the active sound see if that help. Current mileage is 13200 with CF roof.

[MineralWhiteF80]

it's not uncommon for people with ZCP cars with the 666M 20" wheels to complain about cabin noise and loud road noise. There was a thread just recently where someone bought an F80 Comp and the tire noise from the low profile 20" tires were unbearable enough for them to return the car.

All I know is out of my F82, E92, and E46, the F82 has the most cabin squeaks and dash rattles and my E46 with all-season tires is by far the quietest The F82 has 30k miles, E92 has 107k, and E46 has 110k miles on the clock.

[KiwiRD]

Outside of any faults with your car specifically, there are several reasons for this, but the main one is that the rear axle carrier on an F8X is solid mounted to the chassis. There are no rubber bushings to isolate NVH, and it has quite an impact on noise, especially road noise and transmission noise.

There is no under bonnet sound deadening and there is less sound deadening in general throughout the car.

It wasn't really designed to be a quiet refined car. . It was designed to be as light as possible without completely losing all feeling of luxury.

Several videos online about the lengths they went to above and beyond the carbon roof and driveshaft etc.

[MTiz]

666M's are the most noisy wheel I've ever experienced on a vehicle

[Colinv6]

Originally Posted by MTiz

666M's are the most noisy wheel I've ever experienced on a vehicle

Probably them groaning under their own weight. Heavy boat anchors!!

Best thing I did was going 763M, and the 19” fronts help massively with comfort too.

[WillemM4C]

Originally Posted by MTiz

666M's are the most noisy wheel I've ever experienced on a vehicle

That is also my experience, changed them to 763m, big improvement in noise and steering feel and even comfort level.

[IB M]

Originally Posted by NWH83

The only thing that bothered me was the door seals rubbing against the trim. There are plenty of threads about this but I followed this tutorial on the f30 forums and also found the Tommy L video really helpful. I admit it was a bit weird to apply teflon tape to this car, but you really have to be looking for it to even notice it, and it's proved to be a long term fix.
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1210175

+1 BMW did the Teflon tape on my daily driver f80 and it made a difference.

The other difference to an e90 is the active sound garbage, disable or code that out.

Then your left with a stiff suspension, rowdy motor, 3 series which is a base level bmw - it’s not a 7 series.

[M3SQRD]

The 20” 666Ms are quite heavy (~25 F, ~27 R)and with 265/30 and 285/30 stiff sidewall tires will certainly impact ride quality and NVH. I’m running HRE R101LW in 19x9.5 and 19x11, which weigh 16.7 lbm and 17.3 lbm, respectively, mounted with 265/35 (or 275/35) and 305/30 MPS4Ss. Lightweight rims/tires results in improved ride quality and lack of NVH that are far superior to oem 513M. Find a friend, or forum member, who will let you swap your 20” 666M with 513M, 437M or 763M (with 19” F). Code off ASD as well which makes the cabin quieter.

[BimmerNugget]

Originally Posted by KiwiRD

Outside of any faults with your car specifically, there are several reasons for this, but the main one is that the rear axle carrier on an F8X is solid mounted to the chassis. There are no rubber bushings to isolate NVH, and it has quite an impact on noise, especially road noise and transmission noise.

There is no under bonnet sound deadening and there is less sound deadening in general throughout the car.

It wasn't really designed to be a quiet refined car. . It was designed to be as light as possible without completely losing all feeling of luxury.

Several videos online about the lengths they went to above and beyond the carbon roof and driveshaft etc.

This might be it! The F80 is a bit lighter than the previous gen M3, this could be why.

[BimmerNugget]

Originally Posted by Colinv6

Probably them groaning under their own weight. Heavy boat anchors!!

Best thing I did was going 763M, and the 19” fronts help massively with comfort too.

I’ve actually been thinking of getting 763m in the gold finish. Might just have to pull the trigger

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

This might be it! The F80 is a bit lighter than the previous gen M3, this could be why.

Solid aluminum rear subframe bushing do not add noticeable NVH. I’ve converted the rear rubber subframe bushings on both of my e92 M3s with solid aluminum subframe bushings with no increase in NVH. Switching to solid aluminum subframe bushings is a common upgrade on the e9x M and all of the people I know who drive their cars on the street and to the track do not complain about increased rear subframe NVH from solid aluminum bushings. Similar statements made by track forum members - solid aluminum bushings are not a cause of increased NVH.

Adding solid aluminum diff bushings is a different story. They transmit significant diff gear whine that’s barely livable on a dedicated track car with the full interior removed.

Have you checked the condition of your diff bushings? Damaged/torn diff bushings can transmit additional diff and chassis NVH.

[theweebabySeamus]

Yeah, these cars do seem to have more rattles than normal. But there is a long thread with some 'fixes' that might help you out a bit.

[Zupplyzz]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

I CURRENTLY own both, a 2010 E90 M3 and a 2018 F80 M3.

I noticed that the cabin noise was significantly louder compared to my E90 M3.

At first, I thought it was the old stiff tires so I bought new Michelin PS4S. Didn't solve the cabin noise issue.

Car is a 2018 competition pack F80 with only 13,900 miles on it as of today.

I love everything about the F80, my only complaint is the cabin noise and road noise. I am NOT exaggerating but it is actually about the same noise level as a Honda Civic Si econobox. My E90 M3 has a much quieter cabin and little road noise.

It's honestly driving me nuts, thinking this was a $85k car brand new. And how my older gen M3 is actually quieter?

Would u ever consider selling the e90? If so let me know! They both are some gems !

[NSX2M4]

a few rolls of felt tape, time, and persistence will cure a lot of the problems.
I bought my car in 2019 and the first two years I must have brought it to the dealer 5 times for rattles. They never fixed anything, so I started to take things apart and line areas that make contact. Solid as a rock now and quiet. Now my Rivian does the same shit.