[TX3M]

Originally Posted by Zero71

does taking out fuse 218 also work for the X3MC? where's the fuse box?

In the G01 X3, the fuse box is behind a removable panel in the rear cargo area of the vehicle on the right side. It looks just like the removable panel on the left side where the ASD module is (see pics on the 1st page of this thread).

Removing fuse 218 only disables ASD on vehicles that have the Harmon Kardon audio. If your X3MC has Harmon Kardon, then all 3 of the methods described herein might work.

You might be the 1st person on the forum trying to disable ASD on an X3MC, so please report back with your findings.

[Zero71]

Thanks TX3M. You are correct, the X3MC has HK. I'll look into your method. Someone on the F97 forum has done this already I think. I'm tempted to buy the app and an iPhone ethernet adapter to use with my old ESYS cable to just code it out.

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by Zero71

Thanks TX3M. You are correct, the X3MC has HK. I'll look into your method. Someone on the F97 forum has done this already I think. I'm tempted to buy the app and an iPhone ethernet adapter to use with my old ESYS cable to just code it out.

Coding ASD off is super easy with Bimmercode (if that's available for the F97). However you end up doing it, you should start a thread on the F97 forum to let others know how you did it. They will really appreciate you!

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by Zero71

Thanks TX3M. You are correct, the X3MC has HK. I'll look into your method. Someone on the F97 forum has done this already I think. I'm tempted to buy the app and an iPhone ethernet adapter to use with my old ESYS cable to just code it out.

Correction to my previous post (sorry for the confusion - I have edited it):
Pulling fuse 2018 only works for vehicles that DO have HK, so that might work on the F97. Try it and let us know.

[Zero71]

Originally Posted by TX3M

Correction to my previous post (sorry for the confusion):
Pulling fuse 2018 only works for vehicles that DO have HK, so that might work on the F97. Try it and let us know.

Ah. Well that sounds easier then! I presume it doesn't trigger any issues when car is serviced?

[TX3M]

Originally Posted by Zero71

Ah. Well that sounds easier then! I presume it doesn't trigger any issues when car is serviced?

That's discussed on page 9 of this thread. In a nutshell, in order to do a software update the fuse has to be put back in. The dealer might also put the fuse back in just because they notice it's been pulled out.

In my opinion (after having tried all methods), the "best" options for disabling the ASD are:
Installing the bypass harness - if you do this you're done. You never have to reconnect any cables, code or recode, pull or reinstall a fuse and no fault codes will appear when the dealer does diagnostics.
Coding ASD off - Easy and makes sense if you are also doing any other coding. But, if the dealer ever does any software updates your coding will be gone and you will have to recode.

[harperium]

I just used Bimmercode and the ENET cable to disable ASD. Easy peasy took 2 minutes. I *assume* it will be easy to revert back if I want ASD enabled again.

First impression: Holy Hannah I didn't realize ASD was responsible for 90% of the exhaust sound - I thought it was just a supplement. The car is really quiet without ASD.

The natural exhaust is so muted I can see why BMW put ASD in - this is, after all, an M Performance vehicle. The natural exhaust sounds good, just far away.

I will leave ASD off for a week and see what I think. I do like the idea of "going natural", but I also like hearing the exhaust.

I will listen for any quality difference to music and radio too.

Side commentary: My previous car was a '17 340i with MPPSK - that exhaust was wicked loud and no ASD at all. My sister in law, sitting in the back seat (where the exhaust was noticeably louder) told me once that I needed a new muffler. LOL.... ah good times.

[TX3M]

For the X3M(C) owners with questions about disabling ASD:

Thanks to Max Well for covering this extensively on the F97/F98 forum

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1651916

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1667553

[harperium]

I drove 120 miles with ASD off Saturday; turned it back on and drove about 100 miles Sunday.

While I don’t like the idea of synthetic engine/exhaust noise, the M40i is just too quiet - without ASD, I can’t really hear the engine, and it makes me feel more disconnected from the car.

I turned it back on, and I guess I’m like Cipher: I know the juicy steak isn’t real, but it’s a juicy steak...

[Alias1431]

Lol, I share your cognitive dissonance.

[ep22jg]

I’ve eventually got round to trying this and have pulled fuse 218.

Like others have said ........ what a difference!!

I’m still split on the outcome and wish it was controllable through the ‘settings’ or just off in comfort and on in sports/plus??

[harperium]

what i really wish is a proper cat back exhaust for the M40i...

[harperium]

'19 X3 M40i with HK audio

Cold start, I set the car to Sport, let it warm up a few minutes. Turned off car, pulled the fuses (in a garage that was about 50 *F). No check engine lights or other alarms. I confirmed that the driver's side exhaust is open in all modes.

With Fuse 203 removed, the 30-second cold start phase is a LOT louder.

The natural engine and exhaust sound is a little deeper and a little louder all around. Still quiet, but a bit louder which is good. Driving around in a parking garage with the windows down, the M40i sounds like it finally has a sport exhaust. Windows up, it's quiet but you can hear the growl.

In low-speed driving around town (Fuse 203 pulled, ASD off), the growl of the B58 is more noticeable and more enjoyable, and the sound you hear isn't "inside the car" but from behind the car. At highway cruising speeds, the M40i is basically quiet in all modes. Only when you get on the throttle do you hear the engine.... but that's not a bad thing, as long as you hear the engine when you need it.

For those who haven't tried turning off ASD, the most surprising part is how much of the sound you hear in the cabin is actually ASD. Like when you hit Sport/Sport+ and the noise gets louder and you think it's because a valve opened? Nope. All synthetic ASD sound. Which is not a bad thing per se.

But ASD can be misleading. For example, if you are cruising at 50 mph, and shift manually and keep the gear such that the RPMs are 5000. If you are keeping your speed constant and the engine isn't under load, the natural sound of the engine is pretty quiet - with ASD off and the windows up, it's hard to tell with your ears that the RPM is 5000. With ASD on, the sound is pretty loud. But yet the engine isn't under a load, so it's misleading. With ASD off, as soon as you step on the gas and put the engine under load, you can tell with your ears what's going on.

However, Sport/Sport+ modes now only add the pops/bangs/burbles - there is no overall increase in engine or exhaust sound volume. In fact, generally, with Fuse 203 pulled and ASD off, the noise volume in Sport/Sport+ is still decreased over stock with ASD on. The sound, in my opinion, is better, but nonetheless still quieter.

For those worried about a highway drone with Fuse 203 pulled (ASD off): there is no drone. The car is still a lot quieter than stock with ASD on.

For those worried that Eco and Comfort modes will now be noisy with Fuse 203 pulled (ASD off): in low-speed driving around town, there is a deeper, richer engine noise that is maybe 80% of the volume of ASD at those speeds. But the sound isn't inside the car - it's behind the car. So I think the net effect is that the cabin experience is quieter.

[bluemark]

I have not taken delivery of my ‘19 M40i yet, but when on my test drives, I noted the drone while in sport, but also wind noise above 50 mph. For those that have disabled the ASD, I’m wondering if, what I perceive as wind noise, is actually noise generated by the ASD. Has anyone that had wind noise before, notice a reduction in this when disabling the ASD?

[london_v]

With the ASD fuse pull, the HK system sounds 100% better. Forget the exhaust, the music is now crisp enough to be enjoyed at high volume

[harperium]

Originally Posted by bluemark

I have not taken delivery of my ‘19 M40i yet, but when on my test drives, I noted the drone while in sport, but also wind noise above 50 mph. For those that have disabled the ASD, I’m wondering if, what I perceive as wind noise, is actually noise generated by the ASD. Has anyone that had wind noise before, notice a reduction in this when disabling the ASD?

The overall experience in the cabin is quieter with ASD off. It's startling to realize how much background noise it puts in - it's subtle. In Sport/Sport+, most of what you hear is ASD.

[suby01]

Great write up guys, thanks I must try this.

[Panzer1]

Thanks to TX3M, Max Well and gugin. I have the base 676 stereo, so installed the ASD bypass harness. I'm not mechanically inclined, nor do I have an overflowing toolbox. However, the installation went well given the photos and advice from all three of you. It is WAY, WAY, WAY better WITHOUT the ASD. As others have noted, I avoided driving in Sport mode for an extended period of time because of the droning of the artificial sound. Now I can actually hear the engine/exhaust notes. Can't recommend this bypass enough. Easy and effective. And $55 for an improvement on a $60K vehicle is cheap!

[gugin]

Glad you like the harness. Of course, the best (and cheapest) alternative would have been for BMW to simply include a setting in iDrive that allows users to turn ASD off.

[EVTee]

I finally found a great combo for my liking. I tried ASD off and exhaust flap in it's normal mode but that's too quiet. My ideal setting now is ASD off (coded) and exhaust flap always open (fuse pull).

[bluemark]

How do you get to the fuses without destroying the insulation? I can’t get the plugs off holding the insulation in place. Normally, these are easier to access.

[harperium]

Originally Posted by bluemark

How do you get to the fuses without destroying the insulation? I can’t get the plugs off holding the insulation in place. Normally, these are easier to access.

using a flat-head screw driver i was to pop them out without too much difficulty and without damaging anything.