The Engine Noise

Ok so I have a 2006 bmw x3 3.0i and the exhaust sounds great and so does the engine noise...... I found some videos on youtube that show a couple of 2011 x3 35i's at full throttle from the outside and the inside and i must say they sound good but I am kind of dissapointed of the 8 speed transmission. I know there is an option for paddle shifters and to tell you th truth i would rather start in 2nd because those gears seem short
here are some links

this is interior engine noise




this is exhaust noise



state your opinions personally i think a performace exhaust needs to be an option but i am the kind of person that likes the x6 4.4 twin turbo exhaust which is throatier but ya i know its a v8 so it has to be throatier aka deeper

Be careful..you are suggesting change and change is bad

yup but its not a bad change

--I just dont think exhaust burble is high on the list of the vaaast majority of X3 drivers. If we could change one thing about the X3 I suspect more people would vote for a manual transmission than a louder/throatier exhaust. I would, anyway. And therefore it must be true.

Your average American driver wants a quiet interior in a luxury car, not a loud exhaust burble. Most folks are turned off by a stiff ride, loud exhaust, and heavy steering.

I'll reserve judgment until I hear it in person. I like the exhaust note to be a little understated. It should be a low growl, but I shouldn't have to feel it rattling my nuts. Nothing is more annoying than being next to some tuner Honda at a stop light having to listen to that obnoxious rumble.

Originally Posted by MarcA78

I'll reserve judgment until I hear it in person. I like the exhaust note to be a little understated. It should be a low growl, but I shouldn't have to feel it rattling my nuts. Nothing is more annoying than being next to some tuner Honda at a stop light having to listen to that obnoxious rumble.

Who wants to hear the exhaust? I prefer to hear the engine.

Originally Posted by BMW FAN95

yup but its not a bad change

With some folks on this site any change is bad and you should be verbally drawn or quartered

And as far as engine noise goes..I can't hear anything since my sound system goes to eleven, which is much better than 10.

Originally Posted by raleedy

Who wants to hear the exhaust? I prefer to hear the engine.

I like hearing the engine too. Especially when I drive through the tunnel on the 26 heading into downtown Portland.

Originally Posted by MarcA78

I like hearing the engine too. Especially when I drive through the tunnel on the 26 heading into downtown Portland.

Better headed out of town in the same tunnel: it's uphill.

Originally Posted by raleedy

Better headed out of town in the same tunnel: it's uphill.

Yeah, but I can RARELY get over 5mph heading west. Damn traffic.