[Coi]

I'm sure other X3 M40i (and X3M) owners have noticed that the exhaust note is quite nice from the outside, and surprisingly loud, but you can barely hear it inside the cabin. This is a natural consequence of all the insulation in modern luxury cars. Meanwhile the electronic simulacra BMWs pumps through the speakers is not an adequate replacement for real exhaust noise. Here are the steps I use to get let the most sound inside my X3 with no modifications:

1. Use Sport Plus mode. Just need to press the sport button in the center console two times. As we know this opens a valve in the muffler for more volume and a much sportier tone. I don't think there's a difference in tone between sport and sport plus, but might as well use the more aggressive one. In the M and M40i this also activates a bit of a burble tune you can hear on downshifts. On earlier X3 M40i years (2018, 2019, maybe 2020?) there are loud pops and bangs produced by high-rpm downshifts. These crackles can be quite raucous so use some discretion.

2. Depress the center of the pano roof switch to tilt the glass. This gives more exhaust note inside and far less wind noise than sliding the glass back. Makes a huge difference to sound so I do this pretty much every time I go into sport or sport plus mode. (Remember to close it when you park! It's easy to forget if you don't use it often.)

3. Crack all four windows about an inch. Fully opening the windows sounds fine at lower speeds but any exhaust noise gets overwhelmed by wind rushing/buffeting over about 40 mph. SUVs naturally have to push a lot more air out of the way than cars so it's hard to drive with the windows fully down. At much higher speeds I do close the windows fully because even a slight gap introduces a lot of wind noise.

4. Fold down the rear seats. This one isn't as obvious of a benefit but definitely makes a difference. I'm sure everyone knows how to do this but you press the buttons on the sides of the rear seat headrests to collapse them then pull the releases either at the top of the seat backs or on either side of the trunk. I first noticed the change while driving around with my bike in the car. It's similar to, if less extreme than, how dropping the rear seats in many coupes/sedans can give you significantly more exhaust noise.

5. Push the shifter left to "DS" then pull one of the paddles to lock the transmission into manual mode. Without shifting the transmission yourself you're really not getting the most of any vehicle's exhaust. You can also push/pull the shifter itself but the paddles are far more ergonomic. There are a couple benefits to manual mode over even Sport Plus auto: You can rev out the engine without going full throttle, and you can downshift to near redline. The transmission will not give you the next gear if it's not within the rev limit of the engine so feel free to pull the downshift paddle as many times as you want while decelerating. The closer you redline you downshift the more burbles/pops you get. I find manual mode also gives the most satisfying upshifts under throttle than auto. Also after accelerating if you pull the paddle just before letting off the gas and I think this produces and extra loud upshift burp.

Be aware that the transmission will not auto upshift in this mode. You have to shift yourself or it will slam into the rev limiter! If you're not used to using the paddles then maybe try just driving around town in manual mode to get used to them before trying some more spirited driving. You'll also have the benefit of a much more connected driving experience by doing all the shifting yourself. (If anyone is in my area I would be more than happy to provide a demonstration. I suspect many X3 owners are not aware of the performance capabilities of their own vehicle.)

Let me know if this works for anyone else and please feel free to chime in with any other tips to get the most driving enjoyment from your X3.

[ASAP]

Or if you prefer to always have the louder exhaust, there is always the option of pulling the exhaust valve fuse...

[Banafu]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Or if you prefer to always have the louder exhaust, there is always the option of pulling the exhaust valve fuse...

Dumb question, but the exhaust valve fuse is removed , would that equate to a louder exhaust even in comfort mode? I want a slightly louder exhaust tone (can’t do certain stuff since I’m still under warranty)

[Coi]

Originally Posted by ASAP

Or if you prefer to always have the louder exhaust, there is always the option of pulling the exhaust valve fuse...

Yeah, that works for making the exhaust louder but even with the valve always open that doesn't help you hear it in the cabin.

Also I find that there can be a little bit of drone at a certain RPM and load with the valve open so I like to close it sometimes.

[Coi]

Originally Posted by Banafu

Dumb question, but the exhaust valve fuse is removed , would that equate to a louder exhaust even in comfort mode? I want a slightly louder exhaust tone (can’t do certain stuff since I’m still under warranty)

Yeah, if the valve is always open the exhaust will be louder in comfort mode too. I don't think that would make it do the burbles in comfort mode though; would still have to go to Sport or Sport Plus for that.

[Banafu]

Originally Posted by Coi

Yeah, if the valve is always open the exhaust will be louder in comfort mode too. I don't think that would make it do the burbles in comfort mode though; would still have to go to Sport or Sport Plus for that.

Gotcha. Thank you! And yea I just want a louder exhaust . Gotta wait til my warranty ends in a couple years to add downpipe and tune lol

[Burr001]

Lmao....open windows a touch...and if you want it louder, stick your whole head outside the window.

This thread...wtf.

[Burr001]

Step 1... use any finger on your good hand.

Step 2....take said finger and gently tap switch to corresponding window you wish to open.

Step 3... take said finger and jam into eyes...so the body will compensate and hopefully your hearing will improve from the lack of sight and exhaust = louder.

[M40i4me]

An Easter egg is setting the sound to sporty, it automatically opens up the exhaust valve, meaning it actually does something other than piping in fake sound.

[Enthusiast~1]

Ok… I’ve had one glass of wine too many but I’m still one eyebrow up on this one.Will read again in the AM.

[Coi]

Originally Posted by Burr001

Lmao....open windows a touch...and if you want it louder, stick your whole head outside the window.

This thread...wtf.

I just tested this and the exhaust doesn't doesn't seem any louder from sticking my whole head out the window. I can hear the turbo a little better though.

[Rottweiler]

Originally Posted by Banafu

Gotcha. Thank you! And yea I just want a louder exhaust . Gotta wait til my warranty ends in a couple years to add downpipe and tune lol

Tomorrow’s not promised to anyone brother. Waiting two years to begin modding your ride out of fear of butting heads with the idiots at the dealership in the future genuinely deprives you of fully enjoying the capabilities of your BMW. There are SO MANY great products out there tbh; many of them truly reasonable for the benefits they deliver

Sending your ECU off to Bucharest to get unlocked is extreme I agree, but look at piggyback tunes like the JB4. Re exhaust, an AA catted downpipe is a great start and is not expected to throw a CEL. I went a tad overboard when I did the Stone cat back exhaust, but I’ve had ZERO REGRETS since I installed it. Car sounds amazing!

The “to mod or not to mod while under warranty” can be summed up in the video below, with the devil being a fellow forum member here who has led me far astray

https://youtu.be/l6PYi0hU7Ng

[bbb83]

I can’t believe you wrote out all that nonsense

[Rottweiler]

Originally Posted by bbb83

I can’t believe you wrote out all that nonsense

Whatever happened to seeing is believing?

My bad…

[Burr001]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

Whatever happened to seeing is believing?

Regardless…gfy :~}

I think he may be referring to OP post....lol

[DonSylver]

Just like most of the posters here, I felt like these things were already well known by most of us here and I wanted to comment as well to the OP by saying “Really? A thread for such basic stuff?”, but I thought maybe many new owners will benefit from these steps he tried so hard to put together. I mean there is a reason why toolbox manuals have simple instructions like clean the screwdrivers, ratchets, sockets and store in a safe place after use. It’s not like we don’t know we should be doing that to prolong our tool’s life. It’s more like a reminder.

In the end this thread “wasn’t written for me” and maybe some other posters could refrain from mockery. I mean no one forced you to read the thread, and if you did read it “by mistake”, no one asked your opinion to comment or to tell us how you feel thus making us read your rubbish feelings as well.

Now if you wish to write your own thread about exhausts notes and mods feel free to do so rather than hijacking another person’s thread to discuss your personal aftermarket exhaust mod after mocking them for posting a thread about OEM exhaust.


Good thread, bad thread, simple thread, plain comments, positive thoughts etc are all welcomed on the forum, bullies stay away!

Also, No one has compelled you to read my comment on this or reply to my comment, so shhhh or feel free to rant on how much this has hurt your feelings again. Your choice.

[Banafu]

Originally Posted by Rottweiler

Tomorrow’s not promised to anyone brother. Waiting two years to begin modding your ride out of fear of butting heads with the idiots at the dealership in the future genuinely deprives you of fully enjoying the capabilities of your BMW. There are SO MANY great products out there tbh; many of them truly reasonable for the benefits they deliver

Sending your ECU off to Bucharest to get unlocked is extreme I agree, but look at piggyback tunes like the JB4. Re exhaust, an AA catted downpipe is a great start and is not expected to throw a CEL. I went a tad overboard when I did the Stone cat back exhaust, but I’ve had ZERO REGRETS since I installed it. Car sounds amazing!

The “to mod or not to mod while under warranty” can be summed up in the video below, with the devil being a fellow forum member here who has led me far astray

https://youtu.be/l6PYi0hU7Ng

Yea I know , it’s the “life is short” “tomorrow is not promised” motto that makes me wanna say eff it and get the stuff I want to done lol I’ll crack say before warranty ends and get the downpipe and tune.

[Coi]

Originally Posted by bbb83

I can’t believe you wrote out all that nonsense

I can't believe you read it then scrolled down and typed out a reply, yet here we both are

[Coi]

Originally Posted by DonSylver

Just like most of the posters here, I felt like these things were already well known by most of us here and I wanted to comment as well to the OP by saying “Really? A thread for such basic stuff?”, but I thought maybe many new owners will benefit from these steps he tried so hard to put together. I mean there is a reason why toolbox manuals have simple instructions like clean the screwdrivers, ratchets, sockets and store in a safe place after use. It’s not like we don’t know we should be doing that to prolong our tool’s life. It’s more like a reminder.

X3 M40is and X3Ms are everywhere but every single one is being driven in auto with the quiet exhaust mode. I figured people who aren't super into cars could use a little inspiration to get out and explore the sound, drivetrain, and dynamics. What's the point of having a M40i/M if you don't sometimes make a bunch of noise, use the launch control, bang it off the rev limiter, and try to get it sideways?

I'm happy to have a discussion about how maybe the S58 has worse overall efficiency compared to the S55 because despite basically same bore and stroke it has a lower compression ratio meaning a larger combustion chamber and therefore potentially less complete combustion in low-load situations and if people think that might lead to an early retirement of the engine architecture if euro emissions regulations are further tightened despite recent increases in engine management systems blah blah blah... However, yeah some threads can just be simple, if obvious-seeming, tips.

[Burr001]

Man some people are taking responses on A OPEN PUBLIC FORUM personally. Ok, ok everyone calm down, take a deep breath of fresh air.....Oh wait, refer back to steps 2 and 3 of OP post for help.

[Coi]

Originally Posted by Burr001

Man some people are taking responses on A OPEN PUBLIC FORUM personally. Ok, ok everyone calm down, take a deep breath of fresh air.....Oh wait, refer back to steps 2 and 3 of OP post for help.

You definitely shouldn't be reading the forum while driving so I'm not sure if the steps apply.

[Burr001]

Originally Posted by Coi

You definitely shouldn't be reading the forum while driving so I'm not sure if the steps apply.

LOL who said I was driving, I followed one of your steps and folded my rear seats down so I can lay down while reading.

Safety first!