Noticeable Drone for BMW PE (Performance Exhaust)

hunginator · 12-26-2017, 03:21 PM

Hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season!

I've had the PPK1 software and BMW Performance Exhaust for almost a year now and I've been loving it for the most part.

I've noticed that during regular driving in automatic mode with light throttle inputs (low RPMs), there is quite an amount of drone. There's enough drone to the point where it can get uncomfortable sometimes.

I'm not sure if this is normal for a BMW performance product so I'm here looking for all of your experiences!

My car is a 2012 BMW 135 with N55 and DCT. It has no modifications other than the PPK1 and PE.

nottatroll · 12-26-2017, 03:40 PM

I've got a 6 speed, PPK & PE and notice no drone.
Might be because of gear selection, DCT might be going to too high of a gear resulting in drone?

BAN_M2C · 12-26-2017, 03:49 PM

Might be the PPK.. I have a 2011 DCT with MPE and VRSF catless Downpipe and have no drone.

Esteban · 12-26-2017, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAN_M2

Might be the PPK.. I have a 2011 DCT with MPE and VRSF catless Downpipe and have no drone.

It's not PPK. I had that before my Dinan tune and really didn't get any drone to speak of.

It comes from cruising around in auto mode and letting the RPMs dip too low.

I have the DCT and the PE (with y-pipe) and drive in manual mode and if I start to hear any drone I just downshift and it goes away.

Manual mode plus sport button is the only way to drive a DCT equipped car in my opinion. Makes the car come alive.

hunginator · 12-26-2017, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

It's not PPK. I had that before my Dinan tune and really didn't get any drone to speak of.

It comes from cruising around in auto mode and letting the RPMs dip too low.

I have the DCT and the PE (with y-pipe) and drive in manual mode and if I start to hear any drone I just downshift and it goes away.

Manual mode plus sport button is the only way to drive a DCT equipped car in my opinion. Makes the car come alive.

From what you wrote, I gather that you also experience drone when cruising around slowly in auto mode. Correct?

In the summer time, I drive in manual mode 90% of the time.

In winter when it is nasty and snowy out, I could careless about driving sometimes so I just leave it in auto.

Esteban · 12-26-2017, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunginator

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

It's not PPK. I had that before my Dinan tune and really didn't get any drone to speak of.

It comes from cruising around in auto mode and letting the RPMs dip too low.

I have the DCT and the PE (with y-pipe) and drive in manual mode and if I start to hear any drone I just downshift and it goes away.

Manual mode plus sport button is the only way to drive a DCT equipped car in my opinion. Makes the car come alive.

From what you wrote, I gather that you also experience drone when cruising around slowly in auto mode. Correct?

In the summer time, I drive in manual mode 90% of the time.

In winter when it is nasty and snowy out, I could careless about driving sometimes so I just leave it in auto.

Actually, no, because I never drive in auto mode. Really. Never.

hunginator · 12-26-2017, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

Actually, no, because I never drive in auto mode. Really. Never.

Even when the car is warming up?

Esteban · 12-26-2017, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunginator

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

Actually, no, because I never drive in auto mode. Really. Never.

Even when the car is warming up?

houtan · 12-26-2017, 07:02 PM

Put the resonator back in. With the cat and resonator you shouldnt have any drone.

Esteban · 12-26-2017, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houtan

Put the resonator back in. With the cat and resonator you shouldnt have any drone.

Sounds like a good idea for the OP. He's bothered by exhaust drone and I think that would help. After all, that's what the resonator is for.

Personally wouldn't do it because I'd be afraid that I might lose some of that beautiful exhaust sound by keeping/adding the resonator.

That's why the y-pipe is included when you buy the Performance Exhaust. Gives you the option of adding it or not. At least it was included when I bought mine.

oneBIGtoe · 12-27-2017, 06:19 AM

Esteban, did you lose the notorious burbles after the dinan? I did and didn't think I would care but starting to miss that once in awhile.

Esteban · 12-27-2017, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneBIGtoe

Esteban, did you lose the notorious burbles after the dinan? I did and didn't think I would care but starting to miss that once in awhile.

No, I didn't. Honestly, think they sound a little more aggressive. Sorry to hear that you did. Are you N55? And yes, I would miss it as well.

hunginator · 12-27-2017, 02:25 PM

Well, now that I know that it's normal as others are experiencing this drone, then I am okay with it as I'll try to drive in manual mode more often in the winter time.

I just wanted to make sure that my setup wasn't faulty.

DarthFader · 12-27-2017, 03:49 PM

I drive in manual mode 90% of the time so no drone. If I don't feel like paddle shifting then I slide the shifter to S and let the car shift. It keeps the rpms above 2000 and a gear lower than D which usually takes care of any drone.

Esteban · 12-27-2017, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esteban

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneBIGtoe

Esteban, did you lose the notorious burbles after the dinan? I did and didn't think I would care but starting to miss that once in awhile.

No, I didn't. Honestly, think they sound a little more aggressive. Sorry to hear that you did. Are you N55? And yes, I would miss it as well.

Didn't see that you had an N55 (your sig). Was posting from my phone.

BAN_M2C · 12-27-2017, 06:28 PM

@Esteban do you have the MPE midsection also?

I might not get the drone you guys are having because I kept the stock mid section.

Esteban · 12-27-2017, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAN_M2

@Esteban do you have the MPE midsection also?

I might not get the drone you guys are having because I kept the stock mid section.

Yes sir, I have the y-pipe/resonator delete (as mentioned above). It came with my BMW Performance Exhaust and adds a little more volume. Very happy with this setup. As I said above, any drone I get is controllable, so not a problem for me.

anglocanadian · 12-28-2017, 05:24 PM

The PE and PK2 was fitted when i got the car 2 years ago and i did notice the drone cruising at 100 kmh. two years later it doesn't really bother me

hunginator · 12-29-2017, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anglocanadian

The PE and PK2 was fitted when i got the car 2 years ago and i did notice the drone cruising at 100 kmh. two years later it doesn't really bother me

When cruising around 100-120km/h and going up a slight uphill on the highway in full automatic and super light throttle input, your revs should be +/- 2,000rpms. Does it produce ANY drone there?

anglocanadian · 12-29-2017, 09:49 PM

I have MT but the drone is around 2000rpm.
If you read 135is online review in (I think) Road and Track they actually suggest dropping a gear to get rid of it !

TridenTBoy · 01-05-2018, 04:14 PM

Own 135is. Drone is very present at 2000rpm. That’s basically the drone sweet spot. The more throttle and the more you’re at 2k, the louder it is. You have to get above 2300rpm for it to go away. Which usually means downshifting a gear or two. Pretty annoying.

Unfortunately, it’s getting to me. There’s also some other potential exhaust related noises and vibrations going on that disturb me as well. Literally can feel it in my seat and through the arm rest sometimes. Thought it was the driveshaft or flex disc or csb but I had the flex disc and csb replaced. Drive shaft seemed fine too.

Vibration still happens only when gears are engaged. Pretty annoying. The exhaust is just kinda obnoxious at this point. It’s good sometimes but I’ve gotten over it. It’ll never be like when I first bought the car. Heh.

12-26-2017, 03:21 PM	#1
hunginator Lieutenant 154 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i E82 DCT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Noticeable Drone for BMW PE (Performance Exhaust) Hope everyone is having an amazing holiday season! I've had the PPK1 software and BMW Performance Exhaust for almost a year now and I've been loving it for the most part. I've noticed that during regular driving in automatic mode with light throttle inputs (low RPMs), there is quite an amount of drone. There's enough drone to the point where it can get uncomfortable sometimes. I'm not sure if this is normal for a BMW performance product so I'm here looking for all of your experiences! My car is a 2012 BMW 135 with N55 and DCT. It has no modifications other than the PPK1 and PE.
	Appreciate 1 ByeByeVTEC24.00 Tweet Quote

12-26-2017, 03:40 PM	#2
nottatroll New Member 11 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: NM, USA iTrader: (0)	I've got a 6 speed, PPK & PE and notice no drone. Might be because of gear selection, DCT might be going to too high of a gear resulting in drone?
	Appreciate 2 Dackelone10538.50 Esteban43683.50 Quote

12-26-2017, 03:49 PM	#3
BAN_M2C Brigadier General 4180 Rep 3,077 Posts Drives: 991.2 Porsche GT3, BMW E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Sunshine State iTrader: (5) Garage List 1987 BMW 325is [10.00] 2004 BMW X3 [6.50] 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 [10.00] 1974 BMW 2002tii [10.00] 2004 BMW M3 [10.00]	Might be the PPK.. I have a 2011 DCT with MPE and VRSF catless Downpipe and have no drone. __________________ Follow me on IG Garage: 2018 991.2 GT3\|2013 135i\|2004 M3\|2004 X3\|1987 325is\|1987 325i\|1974 2002tii
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-26-2017, 07:02 PM	#9
houtan Colonel 707 Rep 2,448 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: socal iTrader: (17) Garage List 2011 135i [9.80]	Put the resonator back in. With the cat and resonator you shouldnt have any drone.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-27-2017, 06:19 AM	#11
oneBIGtoe Private First Class 18 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ontario iTrader: (0)	Esteban, did you lose the notorious burbles after the dinan? I did and didn't think I would care but starting to miss that once in awhile. __________________ 2012 DSB e88 135i Dinan S2
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-27-2017, 02:25 PM	#13
hunginator Lieutenant 154 Rep 553 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 135i E82 DCT Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	Well, now that I know that it's normal as others are experiencing this drone, then I am okay with it as I'll try to drive in manual mode more often in the winter time. I just wanted to make sure that my setup wasn't faulty.
	Appreciate 1 Esteban43683.50 Quote

12-27-2017, 03:49 PM	#14
DarthFader Private First Class 134 Rep 177 Posts Drives: M2, 135i, F23 M240i Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Wisconsin iTrader: (0)	I drive in manual mode 90% of the time so no drone. If I don't feel like paddle shifting then I slide the shifter to S and let the car shift. It keeps the rpms above 2000 and a gear lower than D which usually takes care of any drone.
	Appreciate 1 Esteban43683.50 Quote

12-27-2017, 06:28 PM	#16
BAN_M2C Brigadier General 4180 Rep 3,077 Posts Drives: 991.2 Porsche GT3, BMW E46 M3 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Sunshine State iTrader: (5) Garage List 1987 BMW 325is [10.00] 2004 BMW X3 [6.50] 2018 Porsche 911 GT3 [10.00] 1974 BMW 2002tii [10.00] 2004 BMW M3 [10.00]	@Esteban do you have the MPE midsection also? I might not get the drone you guys are having because I kept the stock mid section. __________________ Follow me on IG Garage: 2018 991.2 GT3\|2013 135i\|2004 M3\|2004 X3\|1987 325is\|1987 325i\|1974 2002tii
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-28-2017, 05:24 PM	#18
anglocanadian Private First Class 69 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2013 135i M Sport Edition Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Oshawa Ontario iTrader: (1)	The PE and PK2 was fitted when i got the car 2 years ago and i did notice the drone cruising at 100 kmh. two years later it doesn't really bother me
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-29-2017, 09:49 PM	#20
anglocanadian Private First Class 69 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2013 135i M Sport Edition Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Oshawa Ontario iTrader: (1)	I have MT but the drone is around 2000rpm. If you read 135is online review in (I think) Road and Track they actually suggest dropping a gear to get rid of it !
	Appreciate 1 Esteban43683.50 Quote

01-05-2018, 04:14 PM	#21
TridenTBoy First Lieutenant 127 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW 135is Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: San Francisco, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW 135is [0.00]	Own 135is. Drone is very present at 2000rpm. That’s basically the drone sweet spot. The more throttle and the more you’re at 2k, the louder it is. You have to get above 2300rpm for it to go away. Which usually means downshifting a gear or two. Pretty annoying. Unfortunately, it’s getting to me. There’s also some other potential exhaust related noises and vibrations going on that disturb me as well. Literally can feel it in my seat and through the arm rest sometimes. Thought it was the driveshaft or flex disc or csb but I had the flex disc and csb replaced. Drive shaft seemed fine too. Vibration still happens only when gears are engaged. Pretty annoying. The exhaust is just kinda obnoxious at this point. It’s good sometimes but I’ve gotten over it. It’ll never be like when I first bought the car. Heh.
	Appreciate 0 Quote