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      02-20-2016, 05:57 PM   #1
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Thumbs up Disconnected Active Sound. OMG! What a difference!

Update: 05/10/16: I finally got around to the coding and decided to get the ASD coded off altogether. Plugged it back in and removed the ASD via coding. Next buyer will thank me

So finally got around to doing this today and words cannot describe how much better the car sounds

Here is the video that shows the process if you don't go the coding route (not my video).



The video shows a very lengthy method for unplugging it so I found a shortcut. All I did was remove the plastic piece that goes along the trunk lock area as described in the video and another couple of button clips near the left tail light. Then I just pulled back on the trim which gave me enough room to slide in a long needle nose plier which I used to move that lock up and then pull the plug out. Took me 6 minutes and I could possibly do it in 4 now

So how does it feel? Huge huge difference

To give a little background, when I first test drove the F8X back in August 2014 I immediately noticed that loud Whhhirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr in the cabin when I got on it in first and second. I remember very clearly that I did not like that sound but didn't know anything about the Active sound feature so figured that's what the car sounds like Fast forward to August 2015 when I took delivery of my 2016 M3 at the Welt and my wife pointed it out too barely 15 miles into the drive. She said "This car is so much louder inside than our previous M3". At the time I did not know that the active sound could be disabled. Thanks to stressdoc I saw his thread and decided to give it a shot. So here are my thoughts and I will try to describe it as accurately as I can...

Pros:
- 100% Natural sound. And by that I mean, I now hear all sounds coming from outside of the car. It's hard to describe but I still do hear the exhaust when I go WOT and I do hear the engine but the sound comes from the outside and not as much from the inside

- When I go WOT, I can actually hear my amazing MPE a lot better and the turbo spool is a lot more audible

- No more of that annoying Whirrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

- I no longer have to turn up the HK to hear it. Music is not drowned out by that god awful noise.

- Car is so much quieter in the cabin at cruising and especially at idle. You will truly be amazed at the difference in the cabin noise. It goes down substantially.

- The car feels like it has good sound proofing.

Cons:
- I can hear more squeaks

- The car feels slower

So for anyone wondering what I mean by the Whirrrrrrr sound, the above video captures exactly what I am talking about. Watch it at exactly 7:17 and you will instantly recognize it. Then watch the video after he unplugs the active sound and you will notice it's gone.

I would encourage everyone to try this atleast once. You can always plug it back in if you don't like it.

I have a quick question for those who already unplugged it - Did you guys tape the plug after removing it? I didn't thing it was needed because all the points are recessed in so I left it like that.
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      02-20-2016, 06:28 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dsm918 View Post
So finally got around to doing this today and words cannot describe how much better the car sounds
Nice job! Yeah for me this is a required mod - we've debated the pros and cons enough but for those of us who see Active Sound as omg-wait-what? it's night and day ... especially since I"m almost always in sport plus at 4-5k.
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      02-20-2016, 07:32 PM   #3
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I just took off after taking your advice. didn't bother taping it, as I might consider putting back on in near future.

not sure if I like it without it or not. drove around a bit and feeling bit uncomfortable without that loud sounds lol ~

I'll drive around few more days and I'll know for sure if I like it or not.
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      02-20-2016, 07:54 PM   #4
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Glad you're happy with the change. I coded it out and haven't looked back. I agree about the wrrrr sound, unnecessary for me.

I do wish the engine was a little more vocal, but ASD doesn't fill the void.
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      02-20-2016, 07:55 PM   #5
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I need to do this. I don't like the artificial sound.
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      02-20-2016, 08:00 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jadeite22 View Post
I just took off after taking your advice. didn't bother taping it, as I might consider putting back on in near future.

not sure if I like it without it or not. drove around a bit and feeling bit uncomfortable without that loud sounds lol ~

I'll drive around few more days and I'll know for sure if I like it or not.
Understood and I won't fault anyone for liking it. Honestly if I liked the sound I would not have removed it. Problem was that I didn't like that sound to begin with and am so glad it was not the real sound
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      02-20-2016, 08:01 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F83 View Post
I need to do this. I don't like the artificial sound.
Get a pair of long needle nose pliers. You will save 20 minutes and a whole lot of frustration. That damn trim is so rigid
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      02-20-2016, 08:27 PM   #8
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Jesus, might as well drop in a new amp, you're 90% of the way there!
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      02-20-2016, 08:29 PM   #9
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I've had mine coded out for a long time, to be honest I couldnt really tell a difference.
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      02-20-2016, 08:49 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ian1973 View Post
I've had mine coded out for a long time, to be honest I couldnt really tell a difference.
Did you just ask a BMW dealership to do it?

I wanna try it too.
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      02-20-2016, 08:51 PM   #11
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I'm still surprised that BMW didn't allow users to easily toggle Active Sound on/off through the settings menu.

Seems silly BMW wants to charge you more for "enhanced iPhone integration" or whatever the correct term is, but then won't let you quiet the cabin when you need to make phone calls while on the road.

Good post OP, thanks!
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      02-20-2016, 08:56 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shivaswrath View Post
Jesus, might as well drop in a new amp, you're 90% of the way there!
Haha. If you read my post I didn't remove the trim. I couldn't even really see the AMP.
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      02-20-2016, 09:41 PM   #13
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Just curious , doesn't putting it to Efficient also do the same thing? Or is it still just as loud?
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      02-20-2016, 09:49 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GLTSRY1905 View Post
Just curious , doesn't putting it to Efficient also do the same thing? Or is it still just as loud?
yes but who drives that way? I'm basically sport+, S2 or S3 always
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      02-20-2016, 10:04 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GLTSRY1905 View Post
Just curious , doesn't putting it to Efficient also do the same thing? Or is it still just as loud?
No, you still get the fake engine sound. Sound-wise, putting it in Efficient just keeps the exhaust valves closed more to keep things quiet, the ASD is still active and does it's thing through your speakers.

If you unplug the ASD then it's quieter in all three modes, and more natural sounding (because it is).
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      02-20-2016, 10:04 PM   #16
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I'm still trying to decide if I'm getting this codded off in my appointment. I still can't decide but more than likely I will since my car has exhaust and it's loud enough as it is without ASD on lol. But we will see. Having an internal debate with myself on the issue.
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      02-20-2016, 10:45 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mephiska
Quote:
Originally Posted by GLTSRY1905 View Post
Just curious , doesn't putting it to Efficient also do the same thing? Or is it still just as loud?
No, you still get the fake engine sound. Sound-wise, putting it in Efficient just keeps the exhaust valves closed more to keep things quiet, the ASD is still active and does it's thing through your speakers.

If you unplug the ASD then it's quieter in all three modes, and more natural sounding (because it is).
There might be some active sound in comfort mode, but it might be less than on sport and sport+.

For example, cruising on the highway at 60-70 with very light throttle, I can hear the difference in sound volume when switching between comfort and sport. In those conditions the flaps should be closed in both modes, so I'm guessing there is less active sound generated in comfort.

I hate that additional artificial "noise".

Need to get myself a BMS module to easily switch active sound on/off, and open/close the exhaust valves.
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      02-20-2016, 11:37 PM   #18
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Is there any different in the quality of music audio from having ASD off or on?

And is there a difference in ASD from coding it off to physically removing the plug?
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      02-21-2016, 02:21 AM   #19
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Thanks for showing this. I always thought the Active Sound very artificial and your video clearly showed that and I much prefer the real natural sound.

I think if BMW had a switch to allows owners to turn the fake sound off, most of us would do it. Frankly, for me, turning off this fake sound is a must do.
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      02-21-2016, 02:43 AM   #20
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I love the fake sound. Sometimes (Neighborhood at night) I drive in Sport Mode, ASD on and Flaps closed by JB4. I know you think I'm nuts - but I actually like it. Nice sound inside, not mixed with exhaust sound and I have my fun
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      02-21-2016, 11:39 AM   #21
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Guys, the video is not mine so I don't want to take credit for that. I was using the video as it perfectly captures the annoying sound at 7:17.
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      02-21-2016, 11:43 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nachbar View Post
I love the fake sound. Sometimes (Neighborhood at night) I drive in Sport Mode, ASD on and Flaps closed by JB4. I know you think I'm nuts - but I actually like it. Nice sound inside, not mixed with exhaust sound and I have my fun
I agree with you. I am one of those weird people that like ASD
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