I have owned BMWs since the mid 90’s. I’ve had a 86 325, 91 318, 93 325, 99 M3, 08 5 series, and now a 13 328. I have loved them all, but the one thing that bugs me about the 13 is the engine sound. It sounds like a diesel. The turbo 4-cyl engine produces plenty of power and it is very fun to drive, but dang it sounds terrible. Any mods short of a total exhaust upgrade to make it a little more tolerable or is this just something I have to get used to. Thanks.
Just get used to it. A 4-banger will always be a 4-banger. If you put an exhaust on it, you risk sounding liked a riced out Honda.
ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
Not sure how long I can take the engine ticking and groaning. I got this for my wife a couple years ago but now she wants something bigger so we got a Jeep Grand Cherokee and I inherited the 328. I remember when we test drove it I was like “WTF is that noise???” The dealer just said that’s how they sound now. I hated it, but my wife loved the car. Guess who won. It truly is a fantastic car, but I think I’m going to have to trade it in eventually for a 5 series (our old 528 was simply the finest automobile I’ve ever driven) or at least a 6-cyl 3 series. Who knows, maybe another M3 would work.
Last edited by notopm3; 04-05-2019 at 08:54 AM.
I noticed with the loaners I had that with the windows down, the active sound masks it out. Sounds fake-ish though. my 318ti 4banger sounded better, so I suspect it is something to do with how the turbocharged engine?
Current Car (delivered 20/10/21): 2021 G80 M3; 6MT; DravitGrau/Kyalami Orange/Black Extended Merino; Permium Pkg (ZPP); 826M bicolor wheels; Black M Compound brakes; Sunroof (yes no CF roof)
(more pictures here)
Previous Cars: 2018 F30 340ix 6MT Msport(Dec 2017 - Sep 2021); 2013 F30 335ix 6MT Msport (Nov 2013-17); 2011 e90 328i 6MT ZSP (Aug 10-Nov 13); 07 e90-323i ZSP (May 07 - Aug 10); 97-318ti ZSP (Feb 97 - May 07)
"Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens", Friedrich von Schiller -- "Life is simple, people make it complicated", Me (About me)
It’s the direct injection contributing to most of the sounds you’re hearing. This is a characteristic of these engines. My experience with late model Mazda’s is that they a similar in the noise department. It quiets up once warmed up.
Bookmarks