330i Exhaust question

2833 Views 30 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Sean, Apr 4, 2002

ChetG

Discussion Starter · Apr 3, 2002

Hi there,

Ive been curious for a while about the different rear silencers supposedly fitted to 330's on different production dates. I think the general view is that the early 330's had a quiter box, and current cars are quite boomy and aggressive sounding. I have the latest, which I find too loud and boomy for my tastes. If I can verify there are different (quieter) boxes fitted to early cars, i might be interested in a trade of some kind, im sure most people are after the louder note, hence the supposed change. Also, has anyone noticed how unbelievably loud the exhaust is sitting in the back near the box??

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

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1 - 20 of 31 Posts

alee

· #2 · Apr 3, 2002

Chet you wimp!

I think 31st330i is probably the most qualified person to answer questions regarding the exhaust note. I thought they were all the same though?

ChetG

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 3, 2002

Hey alee, long time,

hows the OCD, btw. Have you found out nething on the wide screen nav retro, meanwhile ill just have to show you a pic

.

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31st330i

· #4 · Apr 3, 2002

the 330 muffler has been the same all along. where did you pick up that tidbit?

the 325 muffler on teh other hand had a change but I don't know what it was. perhaps some have valves and some don't.

alee

· #5 · Apr 3, 2002

ChetG said:
Hey alee, long time,

hows the OCD, btw. Have you found out nething on the wide screen nav retro, meanwhile ill just have to show you a pic .

hehehe... I retrofitted it!

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ChetG

Discussion Starter · #6 · Apr 3, 2002

Im pretty sure theres 2 different exhausts, i drove an early ci and it was quite different. My main problem isnt the noise (although it is a bit boomy, not sporty), but the low rpm resonance. Its like the exhaust is trying its best to rough things up, and it wasnt like that on the ci I drove, Its my only real problem with the car.

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ChetG

Discussion Starter · #7 · Apr 3, 2002

Alee, you ARE crazy. That must have cost ALOT.

alee

· #8 · Apr 3, 2002

ChetG said:
Alee, you ARE crazy. That must have cost ALOT.

$1500 USD.

http://staff.pop3now.com/alee/bmw/widescreen
My old nav is about to be sold for $900, so the total cost isn't so bad.

31st330i

· #9 · Apr 3, 2002

ChetG said:
Im pretty sure theres 2 different exhausts, i drove an early ci and it was quite different. My main problem isnt the noise (although it is a bit boomy, not sporty), but the low rpm resonance. Its like the exhaust is trying its best to rough things up, and it wasnt like that on the ci I drove, Its my only real problem with the car.

same muffler all along for both coupe and sedan according the the ETK.

there are some optional vibration dampers that might help. it appears that there are spots on the pre-silencer and muffler to mount these things.

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31st330i

· #10 · Apr 3, 2002

ChetG said:
Im pretty sure theres 2 different exhausts, i drove an early ci and it was quite different. My main problem isnt the noise (although it is a bit boomy, not sporty), but the low rpm resonance. Its like the exhaust is trying its best to rough things up, and it wasnt like that on the ci I drove, Its my only real problem with the car.

is it possible that you drove an early 325 or other non-330? the 330 is known to have a boomier exhaust. I don't remember where but I've read this several times.

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webguy330i

· #11 · Apr 3, 2002

Personally I don't think this car could sound better for being stock! I love that low-rpm growl. :thumb:

31st330i

· #12 · Apr 3, 2002

webguy330i said:
Personally I don't think this car could sound better for being stock! I love that low-rpm growl. :thumb:

I'm with you there chris. :thumb: :thumb: I can't believe I wasted my time with the Dinan muffler. :tsk:

every time I go driving on my favorite road, I open the sunroof and windows and turn off the radio to make maximum car music. I also turn off the climate control to maintain minimum engine load (keep HP and responsiveness up).

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Sean

· #13 · Apr 3, 2002

31st330i said:
is it possible that you drove an early 325 or other non-330? the 330 is known to have a boomier exhaust. I don't remember where but I've read this several times.

My June 2000 build 330Ci is fairly quite when compared to my salesman's former demo July 2001 build 330i (had as a loaner several times).

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ObD

· #14 · Apr 3, 2002

webguy330i said:
Personally I don't think this car could sound better for being stock! I love that low-rpm growl. :thumb:

I'm setting off car alarms in the parking garage at work. hehehe :lmao:

31st330i

· #15 · Apr 3, 2002

perhaps it has something to do with the exhaust valve (i.e. it's not working).

or... here's a thought.... what if the exhaust valves are timed to come on differently for manual and auto transmissioned cars? I don't know if it's the answer to the problem but it might have some effect.

maybe even having fold down seats has an effect (different trunk padding)?

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31st330i

· #16 · Apr 3, 2002

by the way, the part numbers for the exhaust from the primary cats back to the muffler is the same for coupe and sedan 330's and the same betwen the production ranges 6/00 through 12/01.

ChetG, I know you are in the UK but I only looked up left hand drive cars. there is a possibility that they different.

oh... and I remember seeing a picture of a dual secondary cat system versus the single cat that we get. I couldn't get a part number, though. I wonder which car it fits?

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31st330i

· #17 · Apr 3, 2002

here's a pic

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PunchIt

· #18 · Apr 3, 2002

What I have found

My 330i which is a 4/2001 build, production date is either 3/31 or 4/02 (4/01) was a sunday last year is quite quiet.

However, in the past month, I have had two, 2001 330i loaners, which have had much louder and in my opinon more aggresive sounding exahust tones. I commented to my girlfriend that I like the sound of the loaner, and in typical girlfriend style she just rolled her eyes. However she could also hear the difference.

Point being, that yes I do agree that something has changed. I don't know if it has to do with production date, or that the loaners were automatics and I have a 5spd. But I can't see how that would matter.

my $.02

Daniel

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Sean

· #19 · Apr 3, 2002

When does the valve open and close? At idle it's open, correct?

31st330i

· #20 · Apr 3, 2002

Re: What I have found

Daniel said:
Point being, that yes I do agree that something has changed. I don't know if it has to do with production date, or that the loaners were automatics and I have a 5spd. But I can't see how that would matter.

like I explained, the exhaust valve could be opening and closing at different times. the exhaust valve is controlled by vacuum and ther eis a vacuum solonoid in the trunk that is controlled by the ECU.

the purpose of the exhaust valve is to keep noise/resonance down. it comes on at specific times.

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