rss997

Is it me or does the M3 sound like a tin can at high revs? I can't stand that sound ...I tried to get my brother to change his but he won't!

Opinions?

Chris C.

The e46 (and e36 for that matter) M3 straight six has its own unique sound...sorta like a deep cloth ripping. It may not be as pretty in some folks mind as a flat-6, but that is subjective. I find the sound is fine from the cockpit, certainly sporty, and think the aftermarket exhausts I've heard are too boy racerish.

Moogle

the m3 guys call it the 'rasp' heheh

apparently BMW designed it taht way to give the M3 its unique exhaust note.

some don't like it, it is easily resolved by removing a resonator in the exhaust system (or replacing the exhaust with one wtihout said resonator)

mooty

actaully the e46 and e36m3 sounds very different (stock)
e36m3 is like cloth ripping.
e46m3 sounds anemic tin can rattles.

Estorilblau

Had to chime in on this one. I have the e46 s54 M3 motor in a m-roadster, and its rasp is terrible. The old (e36) wasn't like this, the new (e46) one from europe is not like this. BMW, in order to abide by North American emissions has altered the position of the cats resulting in a sound that is hard to believe was ever tested for acceptability. I'm in the process of swapping in euro headers and cats, it's the only way. What you hear on this side of the pond is dead wrong. This is of course aside from the fact that they are blowing up, throwing rods and bearings. Very frustrating...
matt.

tagheuer

I had a E46 M3 as well and definitely did not like the oem exhaust rasp. I swapped out the oem for an Eisenmann race exhaust but the rasp was still present especially when cold.

fahren affair

the e46 m3 sounds 'ricey' and should not be confused with bmw's other great straight-sixes--the e28 and e34 m5s. with the right exhaust, they have a vicious bark.

Chris C.

I have owned both e36 and e46 models (02 cab now). I find the I6 sounds are similar, but the more mechanical sound of the e46 hides the cloth ripping sound.

You're right about the resonator. I am not convinced the UUC RaspX or other (i.e. supersprint) routes do anything, but please let me know how the euro cat solution works.

Changing the exhaust just makes it louder to cover the rasp. That's too boy racer IMNSHO.

In any case, the point of my post was exhaust sounds are subjective. I used to laugh at the rat-a-tat of the 993 flat 6 when sitting next to one at a stoplight until I owned one (two, actually) and experienced 7K rpm from the cabin. Woohooo. Similarly, the e46 M3 isnt so bad from inside.

dealmaker

At last - someone with ears! - I had a new M3 (briefly) when they first came out - thought it sounded terrible (and was overrated as a package) - and got out of it fast - looking back the terrible exhaust note was the over-riding memory of the car (along with the intrusive ASC&T system).

rss997

Thanks for the input, In the cockpit it does sound ok, but when behind one it sounds like a tin can!

Moogle

i dont mind it, its certainly not as bad as some of you guys make it out to be

alot of embellishment on your parts.

its certainly unique

as far as exhaust notes go, when i get bypass pipes for my GT3 that will be THE trump

nota_troll

My turn. Just bought my M3 several months ago. I used to hate the signature 'rasp' but now I like it. From what I understand the euro M3s do not make the rasp because of a different header. UUC makes the part to elimnate the rasp.

Having owned Ducatis these Italian motorcycles sound awful at idle to the untrained ear. The dry clutch sounds like spoons in a dryer but if you're Ducatisti is pure sex.

The E46 M3 doesn't have the sweetest note but neither did my 993. The 993 did have the most distictive but I LOVE lumpy boxer motors like my former WRX.

vyper340

I've got one also and although it's different it is a uniquely good sound especially when you get on it in the 6-8.5k RPM region!

Moogle

yes, there is no substitute for high revving naturally aspirated engines. sure, turbo torque is addictive, but the high pitched whine when a car is in the 7000+RPM territory... priceless

Alan Smithee

We have an E46 M3 and 997. IMO, from inside the cabin, at high revs the M3 sounds much nicer than the 997. At lower revs I'm not enamored with either of them.

The 'rasp' subsides a bit over time, and one becomes accustomed to it; I'll admit I hated it initially, almost to the point of selling the car. But from inside the car with the windows up, it is only really noticeable when the motor is cold at RPMs under 4k. From 4k to 8k, like the GT3, it sounds like a race motor.