Engine winding/reving noise on n55 omg

[Matticus91]

Reading the title this is another example of the english language failing us lol. I'm talking about the engine wind noise (wind, as in, to wind a clock. not "the wind blows" lol).

Why is the engine itself so damn loud?? I find it completely drowns out the sound of the exhaust at times, especially now that I'm back to OEM for the moment.

I know this isn't a new thing, I've just been wondering if there's an answer ever since I had my first 1-series and never posted about it

[gixracer]

They definitely have more belt noise, my 135 to 335 was loud and I wondered when I did the swap. It seemed stressed while idling. When I got the wife's X1 N55 xdrive it was loud but not as bad as the N55 out of the 135i. The wild part is that the sound reduces with a bit more RPM. So you are not the only one.

On a similar note listen to a S65 start up. eesh that sounds like shit till the cat pre heat is finished. I was scared when I first turned mine over, then after the cat heat was over it purred nicely with no rattles or erroneous noise

[swagon]

I don't understand. What exactly do you hear?

It makes a great sound inside, complementing the exhaust.

[Esteban]

To me the engine sounds kind of diesel-ish.

You definitely need your new exhaust if the engine is drowning out your current exhaust.

BUT, if I'm standing at the front of my car and the engine is running I hear the engine over the exhaust, and if I'm standing at the back, vice versa. So I guess it depends on where I'm standing.

[desertman123]

That's direct injection for ya. But a lot of modern engines are really noisey. Even the port injected N52 goes tick tick tickity.

Consider the underhood cover? https://www.bmwpartsworldwide.com/oe...or-51489141036

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by desertman123

That's direct injection for ya. But a lot of modern engines are really noisey. Even the port injected N52 goes tick tick tickity.

Consider the underhood cover? https://www.bmwpartsworldwide.com/oe...or-51489141036

I'm sure it has a lot to do with not running the sound insulation or cowl (CF hood) but it's still just quite loud. The berk covered up quite a bit of the engine noise even. I guess I forgot how tame the OE exhaust is haha

[The Wind Breezes]

You need help, and I mean the kind that can only be found in a loud exhaust. Or maybe a really big turbo with unmuffled intake.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

I'm sure it has a lot to do with not running the sound insulation or cowl (CF hood) but it's still just quite loud. The berk covered up quite a bit of the engine noise even. I guess I forgot how tame the OE exhaust is haha

Forgot about that carbon fiber hood. Must make some difference.

[xQx]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

I'm sure it has a lot to do with not running the sound insulation or cowl (CF hood) but it's still just quite loud. The berk covered up quite a bit of the engine noise even. I guess I forgot how tame the OE exhaust is haha

The cowl makes a _massive_ difference. Even with a CF hood I recon' you'd halve the engine noise by putting the cowl in.

Without the cowl there's nothing between you and the engine. You hear every tick.

I drop the cowl back in if I know I'm going to be driving non-car people around, because the N54 sounds very harsh.

Putting the cowl back in blocks out about 80% of the ticking & wastegate rattle, and 100% of the plumbback BOV noises in the cabin.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by xQx

The cowl makes a _massive_ difference. Even with a CF hood I recon' you'd halve the engine noise by putting the cowl in.

Without the cowl there's nothing between you and the engine. You hear every tick.

I drop the cowl back in if I know I'm going to be driving non-car people around, because the N54 sounds very harsh.

Putting the cowl back in blocks out about 80% of the ticking & wastegate rattle, and 100% of the plumbback BOV noises in the cabin.

But then you have no cabin filter. Das a no-go.

[xQx]

Originally Posted by swagon

But then you have no cabin filter. Das a no-go.

my cowl has two pieces, the heavy flat piece that sits across the engine bay, and the lightweight big snorkle bit with the cabin filter.

the bottom flat bit fits below the BMS cowl filters and blocks out all the noise.

I'm assuming you can no longer fit the whole assembly on because of the CF hood?

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by xQx

my cowl has two pieces, the heavy flat piece that sits across the engine bay, and the lightweight big snorkle bit with the cabin filter.

the bottom flat bit fits below the BMS cowl filters and blocks out all the noise.

I'm assuming you can no longer fit the whole assembly on because of the CF hood?

I can fit the whole thing if I wanted to, but I got a great deal on the BMS cowl filters and I really like the DV noises

Hearing more wind is the price to pay I suppose

[mackeroni]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

Reading the title this is another example of the english language failing us lol. I'm talking about the engine wind noise (wind, as in, to wind a clock. not "the wind blows" lol).

Why is the engine itself so damn loud?? I find it completely drowns out the sound of the exhaust at times, especially now that I'm back to OEM for the moment.

I know this isn't a new thing, I've just been wondering if there's an answer ever since I had my first 1-series and never posted about it

For some reason, I am reminded of this classic exhaust modification. I understand it is still popular in some urban environs.

Peace... Mack

[xQx]

Originally Posted by Matticus91

I can fit the whole thing if I wanted to, but I got a great deal on the BMS cowl filters and I really like the DV noises

Hearing more wind is the price to pay I suppose

Yep, I know exactly what you're saying.

So, basically, you can put the lower part of the cowl in and leave the BMS filters in place - but it's extremely effective at blocking out the DV noise.
(and really simple to do, it's basically slides straight on then two screws hold it down.)

I keep my engine cover off too, on the belief (perhaps unfounded) that it keeps the coils a bit cooler which is good for longevity. Anything that traps heat for the benefit of user comfort or dust/water protection can go IMHO.
(My car lives in a garage, and I live in a part of the world that has very mild winters)

But I gotta say, the combination of inlets, no cowls, no engine cover and no roof means you can hear every tick, chatter and rattle. ... and I gotta say, between the injectors, the wastegate and the turbos - the N54 is one ticky/chattery little engine.

But all that falls away into the distance with every application of WOT, then the reward of every gearshift or harsh lift-off is rewarded is the sweet sound of blow-off valves.

I got sick of all the noise and reinstalled the lower cowl 3 weeks ago... which lasted 2 weeks before I couldn't stand not being able to hear the 'wpooosh!' - so it's all open again now.

Small things entertain small minds... but some kids are happy to never grow up.

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by xQx

Yep, I know exactly what you're saying.

So, basically, you can put the lower part of the cowl in and leave the BMS filters in place - but it's extremely effective at blocking out the DV noise.
(and really simple to do, it's basically slides straight on then two screws hold it down.)

I keep my engine cover off too, on the belief (perhaps unfounded) that it keeps the coils a bit cooler which is good for longevity. Anything that traps heat for the benefit of user comfort or dust/water protection can go IMHO.
(My car lives in a garage, and I live in a part of the world that has very mild winters)

But I gotta say, the combination of inlets, no cowls, no engine cover and no roof means you can hear every tick, chatter and rattle. ... and I gotta say, between the injectors, the wastegate and the turbos - the N54 is one ticky/chattery little engine.

But all that falls away into the distance with every application of WOT, then the reward of every gearshift or harsh lift-off is rewarded is the sweet sound of blow-off valves.

I got sick of all the noise and reinstalled the lower cowl 3 weeks ago... which lasted 2 weeks before I couldn't stand not being able to hear the 'wpooosh!' - so it's all open again now.

Small things entertain small minds... but some kids are happy to never grow up.

You GET it! Haha it's a tough decision, would be great to be able to filter out the ticking/chattering (even with the N55) and just hear the growl of the engine itself and those sweet sweet BOV/DV noises.

[1and1]

You could always run an intake like the BMS to get more sound from the DV. Stock intake is pretty quiet. Then you could reinstall the cowl and get more DV PSSSsshhhhhh but less fuel injector clickyclickyclickyclicky...

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by 1and1

You could always run an intake like the BMS to get more sound from the DV. Stock intake is pretty quiet. Then you could reinstall the cowl and get more DV PSSSsshhhhhh but less fuel injector clickyclickyclickyclicky...

That's a good call but I've heard the stock intake is actually efficient enough that none of the aftermarket ones make much of a difference haha. I might do it one day but I also worry about the vents in the CF hood being directly over the intake if it's an open/cone style.

[1and1]

hmm, forgot 'bout the vents- seems like that would provide enough sounds to be worth testing with the cowl back in place.

Oh, and totally agree that I wouldn't want to daily drive with a cone filter directly below a vent like that. Certainly not this time of year here in Florida where rain is a daily thing, and often very hard rain. Then again I say the exact same thing about the BMS cowl filters too, which I don't run after reading about folks getting water in the cabin...

Then again, I had almost 10 years of loud turbo spool and BOV sounds and such in mah Speed6, and am actually enjoying the more stealth approach these days

[Matticus91]

Originally Posted by 1and1

hmm, forgot 'bout the vents- seems like that would provide enough sounds to be worth testing with the cowl back in place.

Oh, and totally agree that I wouldn't want to daily drive with a cone filter directly below a vent like that. Certainly not this time of year here in Florida where rain is a daily thing, and often very hard rain. Then again I say the exact same thing about the BMS cowl filters too, which I don't run after reading about folks getting water in the cabin...

Then again, I had almost 10 years of loud turbo spool and BOV sounds and such in mah Speed6, and am actually enjoying the more stealth approach these days

I hear you, I get a little concerned every time I end up in a downpour with the BMS filters. We've had some CRAZY rain here in the DC area lately, definitely Florida-level downpours (family in the Keys, used to feel like the islands would disappear from the rain there lol). So far no water in the cabin though! *knocks on everything*

[Esteban]

Well, all I know is when I step on the gas pedal and hear the engine and exhaust sounds and feel the torque rush it puts a smile on my face every time!