Cabin noise level vs e46 m3

[GLTSRY1905]

Hey guys , i plan on ordering a m3/m4 (still haven't decided...unfortunately) next year. I saw couple of post here and there complaining about how loud the car is at highway speeds. I currently own a 2006 e46 m3 , which i think is not bad at highway speeds but a quieter cabin would be better. Just wanted to see the responses of the members who have previously owned a e46 m3. How does the cabin noise compare?

Also i have driven a f30 28i loaner 2 weeks ago. I thought that car was pretty quiet. Since the f80 is based on the f30 I'm guessing it shouldn't be much different.

[SakhirM4]

I came from a 2006 M3 to my M4. Actually, I think the M4 is quieter inside cruising at highway speed than the E46 was. Under throttle, however, the M4 is louder, but I still have ASD active cuz I like it.

[Arcades]

Originally Posted by GLTSRY1905

Hey guys , i plan on ordering a m3/m4 (still haven't decided...unfortunately) next year. I saw couple of post here and there complaining about how loud the car is at highway speeds. I currently own a 2006 e46 m3 , which i think is not bad at highway speeds but a quieter cabin would be better. Just wanted to see the responses of the members who have previously owned a e46 m3. How does the cabin noise compare?

Also i have driven a f30 28i loaner 2 weeks ago. I thought that car was pretty quiet. Since the f80 is based on the f30 I'm guessing it shouldn't be much different.

It depends on you as a person.

If you are a bit iffy when it comes to highway travel and don't like the noise, I'd suggest you code of ASD. Coding it off helps a lot actually (don't listen to the naysayers.)

I have both a F30 and a F82 and my M4 is obviously louder. The Ms are performance cars, not really made for what the F30 is designed for, you know mainstream stuff. On local road under Efficient, M3/M4 isn't much louder then a standard 3er/4er. On the highway that changes because of the ASD. So, again I'd suggest you to code off the ASD if the noise starts getting to you.

[GLTSRY1905]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I came from a 2006 M3 to my M4. Actually, I think the M4 is quieter inside cruising at highway speed than the E46 was. Under throttle, however, the M4 is louder, but I still have ASD active cuz I like it.

Actually i would prefer it to be louder under throttle

My main concern is cruising at a certain speed. Such as 75-80 mph. Personally i think my e46 is pretty acceptable but wouldn't mind it being quieter. Which seems like the m4 is actually quieter. Thats good to hear lol

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by GLTSRY1905

Actually i would prefer it to be louder under throttle

My main concern is cruising at a certain speed. Such as 75-80 mph. Personally i think my e46 is pretty acceptable but wouldn't mind it being quieter. Which seems like the m4 is actually quieter. Thats good to hear lol

I had a Dinan M3 so it had a fairly loud exhaust. The M4 is quieter inside from that perspective at cruise, but I had Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3 tires on the M3 and they were much quieter than the PSS tires on the M4.

[GLTSRY1905]

Originally Posted by Arcades

It depends on you as a person.

If you are a bit iffy when it comes to highway travel and don't like the noise, I'd suggest you code of ASD. Coding it off helps a lot actually (don't listen to the naysayers.)

I have both a F30 and a F82 and my M4 is obviously louder. The Ms are performance cars, not really made for what the F30 is designed for, you know mainstream stuff. On local road under Efficient, M3/M4 isn't much louder then a standard 3er/4er. On the highway that changes because of the ASD. So, again I'd suggest you to code off the ASD if the noise starts getting to you.

Thank you for the tip

Will see how it sounds in person cause my experience with ASD is only limited to youtube videos. I won't mind additional tire noise and engine noise but don't want to have excessive wind noise when cruising at highway speeds. But don't think that will be that case if its not much louder than the f30 3/4 series.

[GLTSRY1905]

Originally Posted by SakhirM4

I had a Dinan M3 so it had a fairly loud exhaust. The M4 is quieter inside from that perspective at cruise, but I had Michelin Pilot Sport A/S3 tires on the M3 and they were much quieter than the PSS tires on the M4.

I have contis on my m3 but don't know how they compare tbh . Like i said never drove or been in the f80 m3/4.

Thanks for clearing this up for me

Now i gotta decide wether i want the m3 or the m4

Very undecided lol

[krnnerdboy]

If it's any consolation, my wife drives 25k mi a year in it and does all of her important conference calls from her car. And she's only complained once....after I took it to a track day the tires were roaring from uneven wear. Note to self, I need separate track wheels/tires for the f80

[GLTSRY1905]

While we are at it how is the ride of the f82 m4 set to comfort compared to a e46 m3?

Honestly i should just test drive the damn thing lol but i feel like i'm going to spoil it for myself...

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by GLTSRY1905

While we are at it how is the ride of the f82 m4 set to comfort compared to a e46 m3?

Honestly i should just test drive the damn thing lol but i feel like i'm going to spoil it for myself...

I don't know - I have the passive suspension. It is very good.

[te37]

I went from my e46 m3 to an f80 and the f80 is near silent compared to the e46 on the highway. I unplugged the ASD and did the exhaust flap mod and it is still quiet on the highway. Btw you want the M3! M4 looks like an accord coupe. IMO

If you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them as I recently switched cars.

[SakhirM4]

Originally Posted by te37

I went from my e46 m3 to an f80 and the f80 is near silent compared to the e46 on the highway. I unplugged the ASD and did the exhaust flap mod and it is still quiet on the highway. Btw you want the M3! M4 looks like an accord coupe. IMO

If you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them as I recently switched cars.

Yes, that is YOUR opinion and not the opinion of all the M4 owners

[Vectors2final]

He wants the M4.

[GLTSRY1905]

Originally Posted by Vectors2final

He wants the M4.

tbh i feel like the the m4 is the one for me

Sure the m3 might have a punchier look but i think the m4 has a certain " exotic" look to it. Especially with the mpe + carbon fiber tips

I also noticed something about the f30 328i i drove 2 weeks ago. This is probably going to sound stupid but when i opened the driver side window at highway speeds , you basically get "punched" in the face by the wind. Idk if this is a sedan vs coupe thing or just the design of the f30 platform but in my e46 m3 even with the windows fully open i t doesn't bother you. My guess would be the seat position of a coupe vs a sedan.

In a sedan you basically sit behind your window but in a coupe your seat is positioned right next to the center of the window. Idk how it is in the m4 but i really enjoy openning my window in my e46 without getting bothered by the wind.

[GLTSRY1905]

Originally Posted by te37

I went from my e46 m3 to an f80 and the f80 is near silent compared to the e46 on the highway. I unplugged the ASD and did the exhaust flap mod and it is still quiet on the highway. Btw you want the M3! M4 looks like an accord coupe. IMO

If you have any specific questions I would be happy to answer them as I recently switched cars.

Thanks

Just like i thought people were over exaggerating about the cabin noise.

[DaBean]

I went from my E46 to the F82. Here are my observations, though some are based on a few mods that I did to the E46 that I don't (won't) have on the F82:

Ride: much more comfortable, especially with active suspension. But I came from a GC street/track kit on the E46
Sound: no drone in the F82, which I had on the E46 due to an eisenmann race muffler. F82 sound feels more high-end than the E46, is loud when I want it (just got comment from C63 guy following me today how loud/good it sounds), and quiet any other time.
Steering: E46 felt a little purer, but F82 is good. I particularly like putting it on the comfort setting when driving around SF city streets.
Size: significantly bigger, actually. I feel like parking in tight spaces is harder with this car (well, it IS bigger)
Trunk: massively bigger
Technology: no comparison. Esp with LEDs, HUD, iDrive, bluetooth phone, Navi, Comfort Access...
Power: Torque Power
Track performance: I only did one "light" track day back to back with the E46. Hard to compare since I've been tracking my E46 for 10 years and it's all dialed in. However, I was impressed with the braking and turn-in. Oh, and the power is incredible.

Overall, I still love my E46 and have kept it for the time being, but in terms of DD, the M4 is hands down better. And it ought to be after 14 additional years of R&D.

[tareemaa]

M3, way better looking. If you are really worried about road noise, go with 18s, it'll help reduce it.

[GLTSRY1905]

Originally Posted by DaBean

I went from my E46 to the F82. Here are my observations, though some are based on a few mods that I did to the E46 that I don't (won't) have on the F82:

Ride: much more comfortable, especially with active suspension. But I came from a GC street/track kit on the E46
Sound: no drone in the F82, which I had on the E46 due to an eisenmann race muffler. F82 sound feels more high-end than the E46, is loud when I want it (just got comment from C63 guy following me today how loud/good it sounds), and quiet any other time.
Steering: E46 felt a little purer, but F82 is good. I particularly like putting it on the comfort setting when driving around SF city streets.
Size: significantly bigger, actually. I feel like parking in tight spaces is harder with this car (well, it IS bigger)
Trunk: massively bigger
Technology: no comparison. Esp with LEDs, HUD, iDrive, bluetooth phone, Navi, Comfort Access...
Power: Torque Power
Track performance: I only did one "light" track day back to back with the E46. Hard to compare since I've been tracking my E46 for 10 years and it's all dialed in. However, I was impressed with the braking and turn-in. Oh, and the power is incredible.

Overall, I still love my E46 and have kept it for the time being, but in terms of DD, the M4 is hands down better. And it ought to be after 14 additional years of R&D.

Wow basically answered all of my questions. Thanks

E46 m3 will always be a "legend" M Car but unfortunately it is starting to show its age especially interior wise.

Thank you for taking your time to answer my questions in detail. Much appreciated

[GLTSRY1905]

Originally Posted by tareemaa

M3, way better looking. If you are really worried about road noise, go with 18s, it'll help reduce it.

Its not road noise that gets to me. Its wind noise that i can't stand but fortunately it seems like the wind noise is perfectly controlled.

[Brindle101]

Originally Posted by GLTSRY1905

Hey guys , i plan on ordering a m3/m4 (still haven't decided...unfortunately) next year. I saw couple of post here and there complaining about how loud the car is at highway speeds. I currently own a 2006 e46 m3 , which i think is not bad at highway speeds but a quieter cabin would be better. Just wanted to see the responses of the members who have previously owned a e46 m3. How does the cabin noise compare?

Also i have driven a f30 28i loaner 2 weeks ago. I thought that car was pretty quiet. Since the f80 is based on the f30 I'm guessing it shouldn't be much different.

I think the e46 is generally quiter

[jlevy73]

Originally Posted by GLTSRY1905

Its not road noise that gets to me. Its wind noise that i can't stand but fortunately it seems like the wind noise is perfectly controlled.

Had an E46 for a long time, was my first M car so she will always have a special place in my heart. As far as wind noise, the F82 M4 is noticeable more quiet IMO. The E46 picked up a lot of wind noise and I required using a jawbone in order to make a call (since the jawbone has active noise cancellation). With the F82, I just use bluetooth and never had any complaints at highway speeds.

[GLTSRY1905]

Originally Posted by Brindle101

I think the e46 is generally quiter

You are the first one to say that the e46 is quieter. A stock e46 m3 induction/ exhaust noise is pretty minimal if that is what you are talking about. From the youtube videos i can tell that the f80 has more induction noise and exhaust noise. The e46 can get little loud above 70 mph ( wind noise). In fact it gets loud enough to the point of making it pretty diffucult to have a conversation over the phone using bluetooh...

The f30 328i i drove was basically dead silent compared to my e46. Sure it is an apples to oranges compared to m3/m4 but it still is the same platform. The M3/M4 shouldn't be much different besides Exhaust ,Induction and Tire noise im guessing.