[skimo]

I had the car for 4 months now...love everything about my 6 speed 325i Except for two major things I could not get over: The sound of the engine and the transmission. (this post is about the sound)

My first bimmer so didn't know what to expect. Was dissapointed with the gurl (or lack of it). Coming out of an 05 mustang, I made sure to place myself in the mindset that my e90 will definatly not be comparable to the mustang, but again, I never really liked that loud ford gurl anyways. I am not about the volume or energy of it, more about the tone. I loved my old maxima tone for example.

The e90 325 sounds more of high tone (almost like its whinning), I like it more with low frequencies...after a while, I was like...what the heck. Untill I pulled next to an e46 330. MAN that sounded good. Now thats an engine...

I learned from e90post that indeed the 330 e90 sounds different (I learned more from e90 post than from my dealer). So, for the gurus out there, how much $$$ am I looking at to get a nice tone out of my 325i? No aftermarket please (or something that can be easily undone) Anyone else out there not liking the sound of there 325i?

thanks
skimo

[lwongveros]

hmm... I come from an E46 320i (inline 6) which really had an uninspiring sound. I really enjoy the sound of my E90 325i, especially when on full throttle above 4000 rpm. It's agressive but certainly nothing like a Mustang or musclecar. I think it's just the way it should sound for this type of vehicle. Of course, I can understand the 330i has a better growl to it.

You can always consider an exhaust/muffler change-out!!

[E90Fleet]

These cars are targeted slightly more towards the executive than the sports ear.

You will get mote sound if you fit a new rear box from places like AC Schnitzer ect ect

[visor]

I think the "growling" engine sound you refer to is from the intake, specifically from the triple resonance one on the E90 330i.

However, I truly miss the much more throatier growl of my previous E46 330i. On the E90, the extra refinement and insulation has subdued it too much for the masses, IMHO.

[RussianM3_dude]

The eisenmann exhausts sound real deep and mean. Check them out.

[skimo]

Thanks guys !

[cdheaven]

im sure this has been brought up before, but can you order the intake from the 330 from bmw? is there a part number? will it jjust bolt right on? has anyone else tried it? does it increase horsepower or sound?

[jiggax23]

cant really comment too much on the 325, but for my 330, i got a totally different and more orgasmic sound from my car after hitting about 9000 miles.... maybe u just need to open her (your 325) up?

[cannonspike22]

Originally Posted by cdheaven

im sure this has been brought up before, but can you order the intake from the 330 from bmw? is there a part number? will it jjust bolt right on? has anyone else tried it? does it increase horsepower or sound?

if you can just buy the triple stage intake like the ones present on the 330i, then whats the point of getting a 330 after all, the intake is probably the only difference between the engines of 325 vs 330

[ward]

there's a big difference between a cold air intake 300 bucks

and an "intake manifold" that'd be more like a couple grand aftermarket

intake is not the same as intake manifold, the 330 has a different manifold

[e90fanatic]

just get an aftermartket exhaust (around $600-1000) and it'll definitely sound a lot better

[Shawnski]

While I for one enjoy the rippling power chord a V8 can give, the new E90 I6 is remarkable to me for its smoothness and stress free "neutral" voice - under normal conditions.

However now that mine is broken in, the perfect gearing allows a quick wind up to maximize the power this 325 has. And I dare say it takes on an almost superbike urgency when it gets on the higher cam lift. Very impressive that gives the impression of lightweight internals that make WOT very fun and when combined with a flab free and VERY direct reacting chassis reinforces my decision that this was an excellent choice (and value) for my everyday ride!

BTW Car and Driver tested a 325 manual that clocked 14.7@94 in the quarter...that is faster than my then new '88 Mustang GT AOD that I pulled to a 14.8@ 93 back in the day.

[ACZakka325i]

[quote=E90Fleet]These cars are targeted slightly more towards the executive than the sports ear.

I believe that you are confusing car description with target market. the car is in fact a sports car. in advertisements it is called the ultimate driving machine which has become part of BMW's brand image. I still dont beleive, howeverm, that the three series is targeted at executive. i think thats for the 5 and 7. take this into consideration since bmw has been lowering the prce of the entry level three series to compete with the boy racer is300 and audi a4.

something very interesting is that i read once that a survey was taken of all CEOs in the united states, and the predominantly drive the 7 series. :rocks:

[maq]

If it's the engine sound that you are not fond of, then don't bother with an aftermarket exhaust (although it could improve the overall sound). There's not much you can do except for a CAI, and only certain brands are known for nice sound, such as Gruppe M. I can hardly hear my Conforti, but fortunately my car in stock form sounds nice enough to me.

[ward]

how bout it was targeted toward "young" executives

it's not a sports car, no matter how bad everyone wants it to be

a sports car does not have 4 doors and 4 seats
if someone wanted a sports car they could have bought a vette for less money

[Shawnski]

it's not a sports car, no matter how bad everyone wants it to be

Such assumptions! I do believe it can do everything your little Z4 can do while being more useful and less conspicuous...

BMW to me has always been about engineering and capability, an enthusiast and drivers car that you need not broadcast "hey look at me aren't I sporty"?

I would not want a Vette nor did I spend the money equal to a Vette - $32k. When it comes to things "sporty" I guess I have always thought Pony cars and Performance sedans were kind of like having your cake and eating it too.

[ward]

Originally Posted by Shawnski

Such assumptions! I do believe it can do everything your little Z4 can do while being more useful and less conspicuous...

the less conspicuous part is true, the Z4 does grab more attention in traffic and the 3 can surely carry more people and stuff (Z's trunk isn't bad though for a little car)

trust me on this though, I have both cars, both with sport pack

the Z4 is much more nimble (better at slaloms and transitions) and it's got more ultimate grip (better at skidpad)

the 3 actually has better steering feedback than the Z4 though

look at autocross classification systems, the Z4 is placed in a faster/higher class than a 3 for a reason. Both cars have the same width tires but the Z is much lighter so of course it's going to handle better.

I can clearly see how engineers have designed the 2 cars differently as they aim at 2 different markets, the Z has much louder engine and exhaust note, and a rougher ride (better handling)

If I lived closer to the local autocross event I could bring both cars and drive them both on the same course to show how much of a difference there is between the two, but it's about 90 miles to where they race.

trust me, the 3 is not a sports car. On the positive side though the 3 is more practical and comfortable as compromises have been made to make it a more usefull car while retaining 8/10 of sports car performance.

[skimo]

Originally Posted by maq

If it's the engine sound that you are not fond of, then don't bother with an aftermarket exhaust (although it could improve the overall sound). There's not much you can do except for a CAI, and only certain brands are known for nice sound, such as Gruppe M. I can hardly hear my Conforti, but fortunately my car in stock form sounds nice enough to me.

ehh..whats "CAI" ?

i think you are right, it is the engine sound more than the exhaust...kinda has this sound as if you are going in reverse !! whinning stuff....

[Xens]

Originally Posted by ward

the less conspicuous part is true, the Z4 does grab more attention in traffic and the 3 can surely carry more people and stuff (Z's trunk isn't bad though for a little car)

trust me on this though, I have both cars, both with sport pack

the Z4 is much more nimble (better at slaloms and transitions) and it's got more ultimate grip (better at skidpad)

the 3 actually has better steering feedback than the Z4 though

look at autocross classification systems, the Z4 is placed in a faster/higher class than a 3 for a reason. Both cars have the same width tires but the Z is much lighter so of course it's going to handle better.

I can clearly see how engineers have designed the 2 cars differently as they aim at 2 different markets, the Z has much louder engine and exhaust note, and a rougher ride (better handling)

If I lived closer to the local autocross event I could bring both cars and drive them both on the same course to show how much of a difference there is between the two, but it's about 90 miles to where they race.

trust me, the 3 is not a sports car. On the positive side though the 3 is more practical and comfortable as compromises have been made to make it a more usefull car while retaining 8/10 of sports car performance.

Well said, BMW's magic in the 3-series has always been the fine balance between sport/practicality, not losing much of either is why so many people were amazed with these cars.

[Xens]

Originally Posted by skimo

ehh..whats "CAI" ?

i think you are right, it is the engine sound more than the exhaust...kinda has this sound as if you are going in reverse !! whinning stuff....

I think CAI is cold-air intake.

[a burrito]

Originally Posted by skimo

I had the car for 4 months now...love everything about my 6 speed 325i Except for two major things I could not get over: The sound of the engine and the transmission. (this post is about the sound)

My first bimmer so didn't know what to expect. Was dissapointed with the gurl (or lack of it). Coming out of an 05 mustang, I made sure to place myself in the mindset that my e90 will definatly not be comparable to the mustang, but again, I never really liked that loud ford gurl anyways. I am not about the volume or energy of it, more about the tone. I loved my old maxima tone for example.

The e90 325 sounds more of high tone (almost like its whinning), I like it more with low frequencies...after a while, I was like...what the heck. Untill I pulled next to an e46 330. MAN that sounded good. Now thats an engine...

I learned from e90post that indeed the 330 e90 sounds different (I learned more from e90 post than from my dealer). So, for the gurus out there, how much $$$ am I looking at to get a nice tone out of my 325i? No aftermarket please (or something that can be easily undone) Anyone else out there not liking the sound of there 325i?

thanks
skimo

If you want more of the engine sound from your car i'd suggest intake, headers, and straight pipes but these items are all offered by aftermarket part makers. Maybe you can wait until someone that owns a e90 330i gets a aftermarket intake and sells it so you can buy it. The intake sound on the 330 is pretty unique and noticable.

[RyBMW]

The 3 is a four door sports car.

I would use "4DSC", but the 3rd gen Maxima already used it.