Poll: The 1M Drone Syndrome

[discoboy1]

Originally Posted by EmmDrei

And that surprises you? The thread starter had how many miles on his car when he started the thread? Stick the key in and start whining. Yippieyeah! Mine doesn't just stand around, I drive it. That's why I bought it. And honestly... I think, I've been through all the rev range in all the gears often enough by now. I've driven a total of four 1Ms (including my own) and exactly NONE had a "drone problem" non less a "syndrome". They all droned in the same rev range and I am sure, that that was meant to be and is part of the sound design. Actually, I think I have even recorded the effect. See this video, go to 1:50 and you hear how the sound changes. And it could be just about the rev range in question. The cars I have driven so far, including my own, ALL sound exactly like that. If your cars are different, i.e. louder, more annoying, then where is the problem to record it? Three quarters of the 1M owners probably have Iphones or Pods. The video I have linked to was made using my Ipod Touch. So yes, you're right, I lack compasion.

Dude, quit being on my case, my car has 500 miles on it so far, and, I am SO SORRY I cannot drive it like you do, because I have to work and pay for the frickin thing.
@ 1:50 Your video has more tire noise than exhaust sound...

[superchargedman]

I don't understand the need to debate if you don't think it's a problem. Shouldn't you be out driving and enjoying it?

[QUOTE=EmmDrei;9772755]

Originally Posted by johnsfb

And that surprises you? The thread starter had how many miles on his car when he started the thread? Stick the key in and start whining. Yippieyeah! Mine doesn't just stand around, I drive it. That's why I bought it. And honestly... I think, I've been through all the rev range in all the gears often enough by now. I've driven a total of four 1Ms (including my own) and exactly NONE had a "drone problem" non less a "syndrome". They all droned in the same rev range and I am sure, that that was meant to be and is part of the sound design. Actually, I think I have even recorded the effect. See this video, go to 1:50 and you hear how the sound changes. And it could be just about the rev range in question. The cars I have driven so far, including my own, ALL sound exactly like that. If your cars are different, i.e. louder, more annoying, then where is the problem to record it? Three quarters of the 1M owners probably have Iphones or Pods. The video I have linked to was made using my Ipod Touch. So yes, you're right, I lack compasion.

[mPlasticDesign]

I think maybe this should have been established page1.

But DRONE is:

A continuous, low frequency, monotonous sound.

It doesn't even need to be loud, in fact it is usually under very light load in lower RPM's. Just read what DINAN engineers struggled with on the E9x M3 exhaust they were developing. They state: "We worked at designs that would maintain the dual exhaust outlets but each iteration resulted in a heavy, low frequency drone with far too much back-pressure to produce any substantial power gains." Yet some M3 owners scoffed at the DINAN exhaust because the outer pipes were faux. For me and many others who bought the DINAN exhaust, the real functional gains and the lack of drone was more important.

Originally Posted by LofgrenCL

My E46 has a terrible Drone FROM an EISENMANN exhaust!!
The metallic reverberation in the cabin is horrible.. Three layers of Dynamat extreme in the trunk and still no relief..
I am finaly switching to the OEM performance muffler....

There is too many people that don't even know what drone is in an exhaust system apparently. Drone is not the 'metallic reverberation' you are referring to on the E46. What you are referring to is the 'rasp' that some didn't like on that M3. I personally like the frenetic scream of the E46M3, which the rasp is an integral part of. The origin of this sound is NOT in the exhaust but rather the midpipe. Rogue had a rasp pipe that eliminated this sound. Don't spend anymore money on exhausts trying to eliminate that sound. Get this:

Originally Posted by LofgrenCL

So I think it just has to do with individual CAR harmonics.. Not every Eisenmann exhaust causes Drone, so not every 1M will have it either..

Noooo. Eisenmann exhausts have a consistent sound for any given model and "individual car harmonics"? What are you talking about? Unless BMW(or whoever is making the exhaust for BMW) is changing the design mid production, the sound from car to car will be the same.

[johnsfb]

[QUOTE=superchargedman;9773836]I don't understand the need to debate if you don't think it's a problem. Shouldn't you be out driving and enjoying it?

Originally Posted by johnsfb

And that surprises you? The thread starter had how many miles on his car when he started the thread? Stick the key in and start whining. Yippieyeah! Mine doesn't just stand around, I drive it. That's why I bought it. And honestly... I think, I've been through all the rev range in all the gears often enough by now. I've driven a total of four 1Ms (including my own) and exactly NONE had a "drone problem" non less a "syndrome". They all droned in the same rev range and I am sure, that that was meant to be and is part of the sound design. Actually, I think I have even recorded the effect. See this video, go to 1:50 and you hear how the sound changes. And it could be just about the rev range in question. The cars I have driven so far, including my own, ALL sound exactly like that. If your cars are different, i.e. louder, more annoying, then where is the problem to record it? Three quarters of the 1M owners probably have Iphones or Pods. The video I have linked to was made using my Ipod Touch. So yes, you're right, I lack compasion.

Something wrong here.
That post did NOT come from me.

[rapter]

There does not seem to be any sign of an exhaust drone in the recent Chris Harris Video (lots of in car video where the vehicle seemingly is dead silent).

Even when the camera comes out, there is really no drone - just brilliant exhaust notes!

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=541960

[VO1M]

Originally Posted by johnsfb

Hi guys,

It seems that not all cars are the same, as people are reporting varying degrees of drone from none to really terrible and mine is in the really terrible slot from 2300 to 2600 rpm under very light load. Accelerating through that range, the sound is actually quieter and I don't hear the drone, but you can't be accelerating all the time.

It's a pity that those lucky ones who don't have it or it's such that they don't mind, should brand the ones who do have it as a bunch of cry-babies complaining about a bit of noise.

My car is booked in to an exhaust specialist on the 14th for them to sort it out.
I have told them I want a louder (yes, LOUDER) amd more meaningful exhaust but without this damned unpleasant drone. I want something that will have me winding the windows down just to hear it. I think the 1M is too quiet about what it can do.

Even if the dealer gets on about the warranty thing this drone will have to go and I will post the result when it's done.

Well - did you go to the exhaust specialist on the 14th? I would be very interested in their findings if you have been.

[Mnime]

the more miles my car gets on it the less i hear it.

[gazz]

Originally Posted by Mnime

the more miles my car gets on it the less i hear it.

Same here. Not sure if I am just subconsciously ignoring it or it is actually abating. The exhaust note in my 335i changed over time to a louder deeper tone. No drone at all though.

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by gazz

Same here. Not sure if I am just subconsciously ignoring it or it is actually abating. The exhaust note in my 335i changed over time to a louder deeper tone. No drone at all though.

Seems like the drone is gone once the exhaust is broken in? Happens between 2100-2500, worst at around half way.

Annoyed the hell out of my wife today, and I have to drive on the highway on fifth in the 110km zone.

[///1M]

Will it be possible to fix the drone?

How?

[rossii]

Someone with substantial miles should chime in.

[Romo]

My 1M is to be expected end of this month, turning in my E92 M3.....

The M3 has also a (exhaust) drone, 70km/h 5th gear, 2K RPM.........it`s droning very strong......only sollution; put it in 3th-4th or 6th gear.......rather 3th or 4th, this is an engine that loves to rev, and revs it has to make to run smoother, better, it`s just the nature of the game.........

[Evice]

Pfff. Exhauston performance car without drone, is like living with a woman without vagina.

[marcel b]

I'm not having a drone. car has done 2500 miles.
I had a drone in my 335, especially with the performance exhaust mounted.

[Mnime]

Originally Posted by Evice

Pfff. Exhauston performance car without drone, is like living with a woman without vagina.

well stated...i'm still chuckling.

[AW128i]

I just read an article in Automobile magazine about the 1M and they basically say that the 1M is the first M car in a long time to put functionality over form; i.e., it's catering to the true enthusiasts and not the general public with a few extra $$ and the need to out-do the Joneses. They even mention the exhaust drone and attribute it to part of the 1M being a real M car and not a watered-down performance version of an everyday BMW that's catered to the rich and high profit margins.

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by marcel b

I'm not having a drone. car has done 2500 miles.
I had a drone in my 335, especially with the performance exhaust mounted.

Did you ever had one or it went away? I have 900km now and still droning, but I think it is settling down.

Originally Posted by Evice

Pfff. Exhauston performance car without drone, is like living with a woman without vagina.

No problem with drone - but it's droning at the wrong rev on my car. Our highway speed here is 110km, and it is droning at 110-130km in 6th in my car. Not much problem with 70km in 5th as you don't tend to be at that speed in say a 70km zone all the time. Also, putting in 4th is some what a solution if you need to, as it is only for a short period of time. Putting in 5th seems to defeat to purpose of 6th in the 1M as it was designed to be like an overdrive.

I have no problem if it is loud, or if it drones at a different rev range/speed/loud. Droning at highway cruising speed is irritating. At the moment my solution is doing 100km or cruise in 5th.

[mdt]

I had a drone in my 6 cylinder VW after I put an aftermarket exhaust on it. In my opinion, it's less a sound than a vibration which is perhaps why film clips won't do the issue justice.

I resolved it by fitting a butterfly valve half way through the mid-section, operable by a switch on the dash. This was good for pottering around town and I could leave it open when at the race track or giving the car a boot full.

Assuming that few owners will want to take such drastic action on a new car, the options might prove to be:
- suck it up; or
- fit a more restrictive muffler, but at the expense of top-end power.

I doubt the problem can be fixed with a muffler that makes more noise elsewhere in the rev range or doesn't sacrifice power.

[rapter]

Originally Posted by mdt

I had a drone in my 6 cylinder VW after I put an aftermarket exhaust on it. In my opinion, it's less a sound than a vibration which is perhaps why film clips won't do the issue justice.

I resolved it by fitting a butterfly valve half way through the mid-section, operable by a switch on the dash. This was good for pottering around town and I could leave it open when at the race track or giving the car a boot full.

Assuming that few owners will want to take such drastic action on a new car, the options might prove to be:
- suck it up; or
- fit a more restrictive muffler, but at the expense of top-end power.

I doubt the problem can be fixed with a muffler that makes more noise elsewhere in the rev range or doesn't sacrifice power.

One of the BMW engineers was speaking to me about this very solution. That is fitting a butterfly clip in the system somewhere to keep it quiet at highway speed.

[mdt]

The VW R32 Mk IV had one fitted stock. It was opened at a particular speed IIRC. Modifying the valve to stay open was referred to as the flapper mod.

If people are interested, I can dig out the pics of the system that I had. I expect that the guy who made mine is still making them, but it might be better to go for a factory system.

[sparoz]

Yes, a wireless flapper switch - now I know what that wireless switch is for in the akra.

[davett]

500 miles and half of those on the highway, no drone