2014 BMW M3 F80 Thunders Around Karussell on the Nurburgring (Video)

[Echo M3]

Originally Posted by Peahi

I'm def not into the buzzing sound. It's a huge step down from the V8 M3 trademark sound. The car will be great for sure though, I think we just gotta get over the sound. If you are comparing it to a 335 sound, sure, sounds good if that's what you're used to.

That's precisely my problem. I hate to sound like a broken record, but sound is such a vital facet of owning a sports car or sports sedan. I'm not sure IF I will be able to get over it.

I guess we just have to be patient until these cars reach the US, so that we can hear them in person.

[Lorde]

Originally Posted by Echo M3

Agreed. It sounded like a very loud beehive to me.

Originally Posted by Peahi

I'm def not into the buzzing sound. It's a huge step down from the V8 M3 trademark sound. The car will be great for sure though, I think we just gotta get over the sound. If you are comparing it to a 335 sound, sure, sounds good if that's what you're used to.

Sounds like a turbo-muffled CSL to me.

We've gone from loving the inline 6 of the e46 m3, hating on the v8, then loving the v8 and hating on the inline 6.

Dogs and cats, living together, mass hysteria!

[Peahi]

Originally Posted by Echo M3

That's precisely my problem. I hate to sound like a broken record, but sound is such a vital facet of owning a sports car or sports sedan. I'm not sure IF I will be able to get over it.

I guess we just have to be patient until these cars reach the US, so that we can hear them in person.

I agree. The engine and exhaust sound is such a visceral experience for sure. I drive with the windows open except in rain, and I don't give a hoot about the stereo system. It would suck to take a step back in driving experience. Faster car=yes. Better fuel economy=yes. Muted car= no!!! Never!!!

[HotIce]

Originally Posted by Carl Lassiter

Sounds wise but hopefully there won't be any/many given Ms practice with turbos on the X5/6 and M5. The F80 sedan should be a good tester too for the coupe. Also, the 08 E92s were marvelous as regards having very few problems, especially being the first crack at DCT. Fingers crossed.

That's true but remember the 2 second delay the DCT had? I don't want to deal with that.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by sycd

I'm in the minority who thinks this sounds like crap compared to the V8. I guess I'll be keeping mine for a while.

I agree. While I realize that it is impossible for it to sound like the S65, I hoped that it would be even half as good as the S54. So far it isn't. It has no induction noise, and the exhaust sound like a swarm of bees. Worst of all there is no scream in the sound like BMW I6's of old.

Who knows though, it is still a long way out. It sounded significantly different than it did in the last video, so that means they are working on it.

[FogCityM3]

It sounds decent for what it is, a souped up N55 turbo....but I agree, not even in the same league as the V8 sound wise.

This new engine is significantly cheaper to build and develop vs the S65, and it sounds cheaper too.

Originally Posted by sycd

I'm in the minority who thinks this sounds like crap compared to the V8. I guess I'll be keeping mine for a while.

[hwelvaar]

I must LOL somewhat about the fact that the people who are complaining about the sound are often those who have E9X M3 in their garage, according to their avatar.

Where's the days when E46 owners were mocking about the loss of the typical I6 sound when the E9X V8 came out?

[MaestroAl]

I prefer I6 to V8 when it's a racy sound anyway. V8s are for low rev, burbling like in an Aston. High revving racy engines sound much better as a straight 6

[InTheNightKitchen]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Who knows though, it is still a long way out. It sounded significantly different than it did in the last video, so that means they are working on it.

This!

[AhsanU]

I love how people are already claiming it doesn't sound as good as the previous generation M3. Reality check: us E46 M3 owners were skeptical about the "big V8" in the E9X M3, and it turns out we were wrong. Some of us thought it was gonna be a boring, large lump of an engine that will never sound as good as a screaming straight 6. But the V8 sounds amazing in its own special way. So before you claim "it doesn't sound good" - wait until it's officially out before you judge. BMW has yet to release a disappointing M3.

[JulieDriving]

Originally Posted by AhsanU

BMW has yet to release a disappointing M3.

True. I love, LOVE my V8, but I also think chances are good that BMW will not disappoint.

I sure hope so, because the sedan looks hot...

[FogCityM3]

Think what you're seeing are those who are lamenting the loss of N/A engines and the sound/engine characteristics of the E46-9x M3s. Most who can afford M3s will jettison their old E9xs and jump on the bandwagon if the F8x is indeed so much better; or if it isn't much better, likely leave the brand altogether for other N/A alternatives.

Originally Posted by hwelvaar

I must LOL somewhat about the fact that the people who are complaining about the sound are often those who have E9X M3 in their garage, according to their avatar.

Where's the days when E46 owners where mocking about the loss of the typical I6 sound when the E9X V8 came out?

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by Diver

I have a feeling the finished product is going to be more of a baby M5 than anything else.

Which is what the M3 has always been...

[swamp2]

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

V8s are for low rev, burbling like in an Aston. High revving racy engines sound much better as a straight 6

Utter nonsense. Ever heard a 458 Italia on full steam or the F430 Scuderia? The sound of an engine is much more about many other things than the cylinder configuration. That being said cylinder configuration along with crank configuration does contribute to idle sound a bit.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

I prefer I6 to V8 when it's a racy sound anyway. V8s are for low rev, burbling like in an Aston. High revving racy engines sound much better as a straight 6

And F1? Honda HSV-010 GT?

[MaestroAl]

I didn't say there were no nice sounding V8s out there that rev to stratospheric engine speeds There just aren't many. And yes, the F458 is one of them, or the CS versions of earlier Ferrari V8s.

I said that as a rule, I prefer the racy sound of a straight six and prefer my V8s to be burbling, bassy monsters

Here's a TVR Straight 6

And here's a TVR V8

Which do you prefer? They're built by the same company, have extremely similar power outputs ... just a different way of doing it

[Adriansideways]

I think it sounds dam good almost porsche turbo racing kind of!!

[M3Denver]

It doesn't rev high, it sounds loud but doesn't have a distinguishable noise that makes me feel the engine is special by hearing it. You could bolt on turbos on a lot of i6 or even v6 and get better sound..... Maybe it's the camera. Gone are the days of f1 type engines that give you goose bumps at high revs for BMW .

[Gjm127]

Is there any chance they stick to the V8 for the F82?
They confirmed the I6 for the upcoming M3... Are we certain it's the same for the M4?

[mookie45]

The exhaust pop sounds nice. This car is going to be a beast for an I6

[M3 DCT]

The sound does not even come close to our current V8

The new M3 will probably look awesome, but the V8 will be missed, the sound of our current M3s are just amazing.

[zzzmmm]

Originally Posted by AhsanU

I love how people are already claiming it doesn't sound as good as the previous generation M3. Reality check: us E46 M3 owners were skeptical about the "big V8" in the E9X M3, and it turns out we were wrong. Some of us thought it was gonna be a boring, large lump of an engine that will never sound as good as a screaming straight 6. But the V8 sounds amazing in its own special way. So before you claim "it doesn't sound good" - wait until it's officially out before you judge. BMW has yet to release a disappointing M3.

Great point, but as of today it sounds
Previous cars and present
E46M3, E90M3, F10M5