[MediaArtist]

With all the hype coming with the new generation of sports cars, everyone seems to be focusing on drag times, and other performance metrics. Others focus on aesthetics, on how the car looks on the outside, and the interior. But how much does sound matter for you?

I ask because the M4 gets tossed around here as a car many want. But after hearing the actual reveal video of how the M4 sounds, I couldn't imagine driving a car around that sounded like a 1998 modded Civic complete with fart can exhaust.

Does anyone think the next gen C63 AMG or RS5 will sound as muted as this?

[py0413]

Not sure about Audi but I think MB will figure that out with a better sounding exhaust as the AMG also does.

The noise the car makes is quite important when shopping in a "sportier" car category IMO.

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by py0413

Not sure about Audi but I think MB will figure that out with a better sounding exhaust as the AMG also does.

The noise the car makes is quite important when shopping in a "sportier" car category IMO.

This is how I feel. I'd say it's even a deal killer for me personally if a car is a great performer, looks good, but sounds like an econo-box.

[KIS]

Listening to the video I was surprised at the sounds emanating from the M4. While sound does matter to me, I'm looking forward to driving it and getting hooked on another M.

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by KIS

Listening to the video I was surprised at the sounds emanating from the M4.

It's really sick. I thought they muffled the M5, but the M4 takes the cake. I'm surprised the fanboys aren't up in arms, I know I would be.

[hellrotm]

Some have been comparing it to the raspy E46 M3. From that video, it certainly doesn't sound anything like it.

It isn't the best sounding car, that is for sure.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

Does anyone think the next gen C63 AMG or RS5 will sound as muted as this?

As usual the AMG will sound great. Some how they made the 4banger in the CLA45 sound good.

Plus the C63 will still be a V8, so it has that going for it.

[KingOfJericho]

I also think it sounds similar to the E46 M3 (my least favorite M3 exhaust note).

I don't think Porsche 911s historically sound very good compared to their competition but people still drive those in huge numbers.

Sound matters quite a bit to me. So much so that I replaced the exhaust on my S4 because the stock exhaust sounded like absolutely nothing. I couldn't hear the car at all. AWE fixed that for me.

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

Some have been comparing it to the raspy E46 M3. From that video, it certainly doesn't sound anything like it.

It isn't the best sounding car, that is for sure.

That's being kind. The car sounds like shit. I didn't even know it sounded like this until I randomly was listening to exhaust notes and came upon the video in the M4 forum.

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

I also think it sounds similar to the E46 M3 (my least favorite M3 exhaust note).

I don't think Porsche 911s historically sound very good compared to their competition but people still drive those in huge numbers.

911's don't sound as "umphy" as its V8 and V10 competitors, but the high revving flat 6 has a distinctive sound, and actually sounds like a race car, not a 4 cylinder econo-box.

No it's not a V8, but there are few people who would say "that doesn't sound good."

The M4 in the reveal video sounds like a modded Civic.

[KingOfJericho]

VW managed to make their VR6 sound fantastic so it's not impossible to make a 6cyl sound great. I put the CP-E exhaust on my 1er and it sounded very nice and I think my S4 sounds amazing. I imagine the same to be true for the new M3/4 but I am a bit surprised that this is what they're releasing the car with after the screaming exhaust note of the outgoing E9X.

[ZeD4Mr]

Not as important to me as how it looks and drives. If it doesn't look good, I won't be seen dead in it. If it doesn't drive the way I like, I won't bring it home.

If it doesn't sound good?
I'll have fun hunting for the right after market exhaust system. Actually, I always do exhaust and wheels on all my cars so don't care so much about OE on those two things. Unless in the super car territory.

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

VW managed to make their VR6 sound fantastic so it's not impossible to make a 6cyl sound great. I put the CP-E exhaust on my 1er and it sounded very nice and I think my S4 sounds amazing. I imagine the same to be true for the new M3/4 but I am a bit surprised that this is what they're releasing the car with after the screaming exhaust note of the outgoing E9X.

If all else fails, I heard a rumor that you can buy a $1000 option for the M4 to add the E92 M3 V8 soundtrack to your speakers through Active Noise management.

[ybbiz34]

Sound is extremely important to me. The C63 has the best sound of any car I've owned.

I have high hopes for next-generation W205 C63 as well, despite the fact that it will feature a smaller displacement biturbo V8.

I expect it to be more aggressive than this.

At about 22 seconds in is where the fun starts:

[swanson]

Sound is extremely important to me as well. There is no way I could drive a car that sounds like crap. No way. I dont car how good it looks or how well it performs. There is more to a car, especially a performance car, then the numbers. The new M3/M4 is the new example. All the fanboys act as if the exhaust sound doesnt matter, or that it can be fixed with an aftermarket exhaust, or that it sounds "sick" and it only revved to 3K RPM in a 6 sec. video. They will buy it no matter what because of the badge and the perception.

[Red Bread]

Funny, there's a guy with an E92 M3 and one with a C63 within a block of me. I've never heard the M3 sound like much of anything, but can hear the C63 from inside my place. I know the S65 sounds good at high revs, or with a different exhaust, but it was not an aggressive factory exhaust and there's no reason to think a turbocharged M motor was ever going to be loud.

I happen to love the self destructive sounding S54 and hope the S55 returns us closer to the sounds it made, even if it doesn't rev as high.

[Year's_End]

Wow, that M4 clip sounds like pure ass.

I can safely say that the two biggest selling points for the new F-Type are the exterior and the exhaust. It's easily in my top five for best sounding car of all time, no exceptions made. Just watch this EVO vid, which is worth viewing from start to finish. That overrun cackle is pure eargasm material. It even makes the M157 and M159 from AMG sound a bit muted (sorry, ybbiz! ). One of my favorite vids, and really makes the F-Type that much more impressive in my eyes.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by Year's_End

Wow, that M4 clip sounds like pure ass.

I can safely say that the two biggest selling points for the new F-Type are the exterior and the exhaust. It's easily in my top five for best sounding car of all time, no exceptions made. Just watch this EVO vid, which is worth viewing from start to finish. That overrun cackle is pure eargasm material. It even makes the M157 and M159 from AMG sound a bit muted (sorry, ybbiz! ). One of my favorite vids, and really makes the F-Type that much more impressive in my eyes.

Haha I would tend to agree that the F-Type sounds outstanding. And probably louder/rawer than the M157 biturbo V8.

The NA M159 (a variant of the C63's M156) in the SLS Black sounds pretty maniacal though.

I have no allegiance toward any one brand. I am quite happy that the competition has picked up substantially all around (AMG, M, RS/Quattro, Jaguar, etc.).

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

If all else fails, I heard a rumor that you can buy a $1000 option for the M4 to add the E92 M3 V8 soundtrack to your speakers through Active Noise management.

What's really sad about this comment is that I don't know if it's a joke or truth.

[5soko]

The M3/M4 and the CLA45 AMG are horrible sounding... Exhaust sound is a major part of my overall driving experience pleasure. And those two new cars would never make me happy at the end of the day. Alot of people confuse a good sounding exhaust with a loud sounding exhaust. Somme people just hear a loud exhaust and are smiles.

[rjd598]

sound is subjective. wait for real world impressions and better recordings to come out. the sound from the new m3/m4 has been very inconsistent. some are good and some are bad. it's all over the place

[KingOfJericho]

A really great sounding forced induction car is a rarity.