[Rando]

One of the things I really like about my E46 330i is the engine sound when it's revved. Reasonably loud.

Unfortunately, looking at Edmunds reviews, the dB for the E90 335i seems LOWER then the E90 325i, which I think is already very muted. I guess I'll have to go drive one again to double-check...

Any E46 + E90 owners who can comment?

Thanks!

[vAnt826]

What? the 325i is incredibly quiet, my 335i is like a ricecivic compared to that.

[SteveMD]

Originally Posted by Rando

One of the things I really like about my E46 330i is the engine sound when it's revved. Reasonably loud.

Unfortunately, looking at Edmunds reviews, the dB for the E90 335i seems LOWER then the E90 325i, which I think is already very muted. I guess I'll have to go drive one again to double-check...

Any E46 + E90 owners who can comment?

Thanks!

What are the dB levels according to Edmunds?

[johnc_22]

Take this with a grain of salt because I only drove my 335i in Germany for 257 miles before handing it off for redelivery. To me the car was very quiet with very little engine noise until you get on it. Unfortunately since I was still very early in the break-in period I did not get to do much of this. When I test drove a step 335i here in the states and nailed it it sounded great once I revved it up.

I think it's the best of both worlds. It's nice a quiet until you start driving aggressively and then you know there's a beast under the hood.

[Rando]

I think from the outside the 335i is a clear winner. It's the interior experience I was more worried about given the numbers below. (And given the fact that a 325xi sounds very muted compared to the E46 330i.)

Maybe the numbers are just wrong! Either way, having a really quiet interior during cruise is a definite plus, especially for someone like me who likes to listen to music while driving.

Edmunds numbers (I couldn't find E46 330i numbers... anyone know?):

E92 335i Coupe:

Db @ Idle: 49.9
Db @ Full Throttle: 75.6
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 64.2

E90 335i Sedan:

Db @ Idle: 48
Db @ Full Throttle: 74.9
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 64.5

E90 330i Sedan:

Db @ Idle: 48.5
Db @ Full Throttle: 76.0
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 66.6

E90 325xi Sedan:

Db @ Idle: 44.3
Db @ Full Throttle: 75.4
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 69.9

[kpcoupe]

Anyone know what it is for a 328i coupe???

[Revlis]

I find the e92 to be nice and quiet. Especially here in the NW rolling along on some ate up concrete interstate. Much Quieter than the RX-8 or the Wifes Infiniti.

Not a lot of engine noise makes it into the cabin, but put the windows down a bit and drive though a parking garage... Oh the sound is heavenly... Really good stuff.

To me the way the 335 is set up is about perfect, pretty darned quiet, until you WANT to hear it, then it's all Raspy goodness...

[kpcoupe]

anyone for the 328????

[AndreTheGeek]

Woulda been nice if they could have replicated the ZHP exhaust sound on the 335i. I miss that sound.

[Rubber Ducky]

Originally Posted by AndreTheGeek

Woulda been nice if they could have replicated the ZHP exhaust sound on the 335i. I miss that sound.

After 34000 miles in ZHP am ready for a different sound...

[kpcoupe]

whats zhp???lol imma newb

[AndreTheGeek]

Originally Posted by kpcoupe

whats zhp???lol imma newb

Performance Package - offered on the E46.

[visor]

Originally Posted by Rando

I think from the outside the 335i is a clear winner. It's the interior experience I was more worried about given the numbers below. (And given the fact that a 325xi sounds very muted compared to the E46 330i.)

Maybe the numbers are just wrong! Either way, having a really quiet interior during cruise is a definite plus, especially for someone like me who likes to listen to music while driving.

Edmunds numbers (I couldn't find E46 330i numbers... anyone know?):

E92 335i Coupe:

Db @ Idle: 49.9
Db @ Full Throttle: 75.6
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 64.2

E90 335i Sedan:

Db @ Idle: 48
Db @ Full Throttle: 74.9
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 64.5

E90 330i Sedan:

Db @ Idle: 48.5
Db @ Full Throttle: 76.0
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 66.6

E90 325xi Sedan:

Db @ Idle: 44.3
Db @ Full Throttle: 75.4
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 69.9

Coming from an E46 330i also to an E90 330i, I was also dismayed to find that the E90 was unfortunately noticeably more subdued in the engine intake and exhaust sound, whether puttering around or really stepping on it. With the windows down, the E90 will sound louder, but I attribute the loss of the engine sound due to BMW's pursuit of "refinement."

[BartMack]

Has anyone noticed a significant increase in exhaust noise from inside the cabin (e92 335i) just after break in?

I definitely have, but it might be for another reason... they removed the passenger rear side panel to remove a tiny ding, and I'm speculating they may have removed but not replaced some sound insul.... unless others have noticed a clear change in drivetrain/exhaust sound after break in.