[jeebus]

Car needed a bit more noise on startup and in comfort mode. Saw various methods of how to accomplish this with the pre-LCI. Figured I would give it a go with the LCI.

1. Start your car.
2. Put it in Sport mode.
3. Verify that the driver's side exhaust tip has exhaust coming out of it. You can see, feel, and hear it. If you need to drive around to get this accomplished, do so.
4. Open rear hatch.
5. Remove cover on passenger side near back.
6. Remove the insulation covering it (two clips)
7. Remove fuse 203. It will be 7.5A. If it's different, you probably aren't reading right.
8. Put the insulation back and the cover back in place.
9. Done.

It will sound like this on cold start now:

Here's some revs:

[sunay27]

It sounds awesome😍 How is the exhaust note while driving? Any changes then?

[suby01]

The video part of the how to.

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by sunay27

It sounds awesome😍 How is the exhaust note while driving? Any changes then?

It has a bit more aggressive tone in comfort mode. Personally I think it was too quiet in comfort. This doesn't make it "loud", but at least there's something.

No drone or unwanted sound imo.

[jsh139]

Thanks for this. I did this today. Car sounds great in comfort mode. Almost no pops and burbles in comfort mode but the exhaust is definitely louder. Gotta switch to sport/sport plus for the pops n bangs.

[Blacktemplar]

One small note of caution on this mod....

Like many on here, I popped fuse 203 soon after delivery of my M40i in November 2019. When it went for service last month, I thought I’d stick it back in, just in case it threw a fault code.

However the flap wouldn’t close, and on inspection BMW diagnosed a failed flap actuator valve and replaced it under warranty.

I have no way of knowing whether the long term removal of fuse 203 caused the failure, or if it’s just a coincidence. It may not matter if you always want the left side exhaust open anyway, but thought it was worth mentioning for those who may not...

[jsh139]

Originally Posted by Blacktemplar

One small note of caution on this mod....

Like many on here, I popped fuse 203 soon after delivery of my M40i in November 2019. When it went for service last month, I thought I’d stick it back in, just in case it threw a fault code.

However the flap wouldn’t close, and on inspection BMW diagnosed a failed flap actuator valve and replaced it under warranty.

I have no way of knowing whether the long term removal of fuse 203 caused the failure, or if it’s just a coincidence. It may not matter if you always want the left side exhaust open anyway, but thought it was worth mentioning for those who may not...

Out of curiosity, when you stuck the fuse back in, did you do it with the car running and in sport plus mode? (Basically, exactly the same as removal)?

[Blacktemplar]

Originally Posted by jsh139

Out of curiosity, when you stuck the fuse back in, did you do it with the car running and in sport plus mode? (Basically, exactly the same as removal)?

Yes, had it in Sport+ and left it running while I popped 203 back in. I then switched to comfort (still running), then I tried switch off & restart cold in comfort, and the valve still didn't close

[Swampman]

You can put the 203 fuse back in without the car running. As soon as power is detected going to the valve it will close and behave normally (unless stuck or defective)

[Raesy]

Has anyone done this on an EU LCI M40i yet? If so what difference, if any did it make?

[sunay27]

I went ahead and pulled the plug (fuse) today and it sounds great. Now I can hear the pops and bangs on comfort mode to some extent. Can't wait to check it out while driving today evening after work

[Navypilot]

Is there any negative risk with doing this>

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by Navypilot

Is there any negative risk with doing this>

No. You're just disabling the electrical circuit to a totally optional component of the vehicle. In theory I could imagine the valve itself could seize if stuck open forever. You could likely solve that with a little bit of force and some cleaning, but worst case an exhaust valve isn't a pricey thing.

Now if you pull the wrong fuze or stick a screwdriver in a terminal because you're bored, all bets are off.

[Roundel-NY]

I pulled the fuse in my 2019, but I think the exhaust had drone from then on... want to avoid that in the 2022...

[CyGuy8118]

Question: if I put my '22 M40i into sport/sport plus mode prior to engine start, will it cold start with both exhaust valves open?

[IndustrybabeM40]

I picked up my 2nd m40 a couple days ago. Previously I had the 2019 x3 m40, I always drove it in sport plus mode and on cold start had great sound (burbles and would even crackle and pop). Picked up my 2022 x3 m40 and when we drove my car home from the dealer (fresh off the boat) I had initially thought it needed time to get back to that sound. But realized it wasn’t time it needed it was a change they made. Thanks to your post I was able to pop the fuse. But does anyone know from driving if you get the pops and crackles back? I got it upon rev after warm up, but not during driving…if anyone knows or has a secret for that let me know please!!!

[nothingspecial]

Originally Posted by IndustrybabeM40

I picked up my 2nd m40 a couple days ago. Previously I had the 2019 x3 m40, I always drove it in sport plus mode and on cold start had great sound (burbles and would even crackle and pop). Picked up my 2022 x3 m40 and when we drove my car home from the dealer (fresh off the boat) I had initially thought it needed time to get back to that sound. But realized it wasn’t time it needed it was a change they made. Thanks to your post I was able to pop the fuse. But does anyone know from driving if you get the pops and crackles back? I got it upon rev after warm up, but not during driving…if anyone knows or has a secret for that let me know please!!!

You can't. A tune will help you but that's about it.

[IndustrybabeM40]

Originally Posted by nothingspecial

You can't. A tune will help you but that's about it.

What tuning plug in do you recommend?

[IndustrybabeM40]

Originally Posted by jsh139

Thanks for this. I did this today. Car sounds great in comfort mode. Almost no pops and burbles in comfort mode but the exhaust is definitely louder. Gotta switch to sport/sport plus for the pops n bangs.

I picked up my 2022 M40i a couple days ago, my old one (2019 version) had pops and bangs, this one did not even when I pulled the fuse. Is it more of a waiting game? I only have about 67 miles on it currently lol! I miss the pops and bangs and that’s the only reason why I drive it in sports plus mode.

[TJay74]

Originally Posted by IndustrybabeM40

I picked up my 2022 M40i a couple days ago, my old one (2019 version) had pops and bangs, this one did not even when I pulled the fuse. Is it more of a waiting game? I only have about 67 miles on it currently lol! I miss the pops and bangs and that’s the only reason why I drive it in sports plus mode.

BMW changed the ECU programming on the 2022 M40i's and that eliminated the pops and crackles from the system.

[jsh139]

Originally Posted by IndustrybabeM40

I picked up my 2022 M40i a couple days ago, my old one (2019 version) had pops and bangs, this one did not even when I pulled the fuse. Is it more of a waiting game? I only have about 67 miles on it currently lol! I miss the pops and bangs and that’s the only reason why I drive it in sports plus mode.

You will still get the pops and bangs in the Sport modes, but only in certain situations and it's nowhere near as much the 2018-21 cars. Try accelerating to about 4K RPM with moderate pedal pressure and let off quickly. You'll hear them.

[IndustrybabeM40]

Thanks for the feedback everyone….that’s disappointing they got rid of it.