Disappointed with the sound

I finally broke in my 535i last weekend. I got a chance to see what happened at > 3000 rpm.

I was very disappointed with the sound of the engine. The sound is more like big V8 American rumble than classic BMW I-6.

I had E46 and drove E90 335i before. I loved the sound of free-revving induction noise from the I-6 intake. I thought 535i will have similar noise.

Originally Posted by bodonx

I finally broke in my 535i last weekend. I got a chance to see what happened at > 3000 rpm.

I was very disappointed with the sound of the engine. The sound is more like big V8 American rumble than classic BMW I-6.

I had E46 and drove E90 335i before. I loved the sound of free-revving induction noise from the I-6 intake. I thought 535i will have similar noise.

It's the exhaust.

Engine still sounds like an I-6. Listen to the same engine in an 335i and you'll say "wow, so that's what it sounds like".

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

It's the exhaust.

Engine still sounds like an I-6. Listen to the same engine in an 335i and you'll say "wow, so that's what it sounds like".

I heard BMW tailors different sound to the cabin depending on the car. I am afraid they filter out the "good" part of the sound on F10.

I will play it again to see if the difference is on the engine or the exhaust.

Originally Posted by bodonx

I finally broke in my 535i last weekend. I got a chance to see what happened at > 3000 rpm.

I was very disappointed with the sound of the engine. The sound is more like big V8 American rumble than classic BMW I-6.

I had E46 and drove E90 335i before. I loved the sound of free-revving induction noise from the I-6 intake. I thought 535i will have similar noise.

Try guuning it a bit up a hill. The sound is more satisfying and aggressive. I can hardly hear anything on even surface; transmission shifts are so smooth and engine noise is barely noticeable.

Originally Posted by bodonx

I finally broke in my 535i last weekend. I got a chance to see what happened at > 3000 rpm.

I was very disappointed with the sound of the engine. The sound is more like big V8 American rumble than classic BMW I-6.

I had E46 and drove E90 335i before. I loved the sound of free-revving induction noise from the I-6 intake. I thought 535i will have similar noise.

you should listen to the V8 from the 550i...
the sound is like a tow truck or a bus...

Originally Posted by bodonx

I finally broke in my 535i last weekend. I got a chance to see what happened at > 3000 rpm.

You waited until 1200 mile break-in period was completed before you revved to 3000? You must have really babied it. It's good to push it a bit during break-in to help seat the pistons and cylinders. Maybe it's not too late .

Originally Posted by markl53

You waited until 1200 mile break-in period was completed before you revved to 3000? You must have really babied it. It's good to push it a bit during break-in to help seat the pistons and cylinders. Maybe it's not too late .

Well, my old E46 only had 170 TQ so 300 TQ was too much already for me. I never used anything other than D during the first 1200 miles. The transmission thus shifted before it even past 3000 rpm

Now, it's a payback time. Need to find an open road using BMW Ultimate Drive app

Originally Posted by bmw_enthusiasm

you should listen to the V8 from the 550i...
the sound is like a tow truck or a bus...

BMW should sell an add-on electronic M5-engine generator to non-M folks like us.

Originally Posted by bodonx

BMW should sell an add-on electronic M5-engine generator to non-M folks like us.

The real bummer about the M cars is that they sound better outside than inside. I sometimes open the windows in my garage before I start my M3 just so I can enjoy the rumble. My M5 was the same.

From what I can tell (and remember from my "visit" with the car for Euro Delivery), the 550i is much quieter. I'll miss that burble.

Originally Posted by bmw_enthusiasm

you should listen to the V8 from the 550i...
the sound is like a tow truck or a bus...

Sounds more like a Wagner opera

Originally Posted by highyo

Sounds more like a Wagner opera

Sure....but only the parts with the baritones

and the M3 will be a prelude followed by the fugue when you hit 8K rpms?

Originally Posted by bodonx

I finally broke in my 535i last weekend. I got a chance to see what happened at > 3000 rpm.

I was very disappointed with the sound of the engine. The sound is more like big V8 American rumble than classic BMW I-6.

I had E46 and drove E90 335i before. I loved the sound of free-revving induction noise from the I-6 intake. I thought 535i will have similar noise.

Just turn your music up, and fuggedaboudit

Originally Posted by bodonx

I finally broke in my 535i last weekend. I got a chance to see what happened at > 3000 rpm.

I was very disappointed with the sound of the engine. The sound is more like big V8 American rumble than classic BMW I-6.

I had E46 and drove E90 335i before. I loved the sound of free-revving induction noise from the I-6 intake. I thought 535i will have similar noise.

The Solution:

you tube for "BMW F10 535i - Eisenmann Race Exhaust"

Originally Posted by markl53

You waited until 1200 mile break-in period was completed before you revved to 3000? You must have really babied it. It's good to push it a bit during break-in to help seat the pistons and cylinders. Maybe it's not too late .

My delivery guy said break-in is less than 4500RPM. Not 3000....

Not just your delivery guy, but the manual. Page 146. Do not exceed 4500 RPM and 100 MPH for the first 1200 miles. There are other things to observe in the first few hundred miles, as well.

Originally Posted by yogi799

My delivery guy said break-in is less than 4500RPM. Not 3000....

Yeah, I knew that. I was just trying to be careful.

Originally Posted by bmw_enthusiasm

The Solution:

you tube for "BMW F10 535i - Eisenmann Race Exhaust"

I hope BMW will come up with performance exhaust. I don't like the drone on aftermarket exhaust.

Do folks not test drive cars anymore? Satisfaction with a car's exhaust note and acceleration characteristics can easily be determined with a test drive........

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Do folks not test drive cars anymore? Satisfaction with a car's exhaust note and acceleration characteristics can easily be determined with a test drive........

I did test drive 528i and 335i. I thought 535i sounds the same as 335i.

Originally Posted by bodonx

I did test drive 528i and 335i. I thought 535i sounds the same as 335i.

BMW uses the same engine in multiple model ranges but tunes the sound and exhaust differently "to match the character of the vehicle". Even without knowing that, I still wouldn't assume that a 335i sounds like the 135i, 535i, X5 35i, or the 740i for the same matter (same N55 engine).