How to Disable Active Sound - BMW M4 & M3

WARNING: This video is only a guide, ATTEMPT AT YOUR OWN RISK!

[@destroyinghumansismyprimar8978]

Great! Now I just need to get an M3/M4.

[@NoirSavant]

Destroying humans is my primary function preferably both

[@worldisawesome6789]

@Music Roy did you got it yet?

[@aidanlelliott2180]

Did you get it yet?

[@aexiy]

@@aidanlelliott2180 did yall ever got it yet?

[@oliversrensen1731]

@@aexiy ya got it yet?

[@LysergicCasserole95]

I just don't get this trend. Like what is the point? Purists hate it and average consumers don't even care about the sound of the car anyway. Just leave the synthetic sounds out of our cars. Rant over 😄

[@axelfoley1406]

It's the truth. It's pathetic as hell...Let the engine and exhaust speak for themeslves. Can't believe BMW even came up with active sound.

[@Andy-bm6zo]

Since you are a dumb pleb, who probably hasn’t owned a Bmw with active sound let me explain, and fill in the rest of you idiots. BMW is the ultimate driving machine. Comfort when need be, ferocious animal when you step on it. You people act like Bmw doesn’t know how to make an exhaust louder. Active sound: great engine sound, lots of fun for everyone in the cabin, 100% does not sound artificial (that’s just a lie), and attracts less attention. When the car is in comfort mode, active sound shuts up, car softens up, and you feel like your in a luxury sedan. Try doing that with your x-piped, res deleted, screamer. BMW has always been about that philosophy. That’s why the previous M5 had cylinder deactivation, to make the car seem much more tame before you hit the M settings. That’s why most of their factory new exhaust also incorporate cutouts around restrictors which they call “valvetronic exhaust”. This jackass did nothing but pretty much put his car in comfort mode. He’ll be lucky if he hears his motor again over road noise and some light music...

[@17plus9]

You're an idiot. It's just an mp3 file playing.

[@17plus9]

Thanks for the long explanation!

[@tomasz899]

"ferocious animal" :D You made my day. Currently BMW is making strange , soft, fluffy cars and it has been like this for years. They simply made M badge another level trim options, their cars are no longer the best handling sports cars on market as it was not so long ago. Currently even MB cars have better suspension, better steering feel and not to mention that they can make their bi-turbo V8 sound really good and still meet stupid green requirements when BMW have downgraded to six cylinder engines that sounds like crap compared to MB. Even the fact there are no engine and oil temp gauges but You get stupid HP and TQ graphs that are absolutely useless. The truth is BMW is no longer making ultimate drivers cars. Shame :(

[@jflexton]

ive just followed your guide and removed the active sound on my 2016 M4 coupe. i have the Mperformance exhaust and i have to say the difference is huge. i was sceptical at first about removing it as i have to say i like my car LOUD. i have the cg precision valve controller with default open valves plus K&N air filter upgrade and the car sounds epic so i thought removing active sound would be a backward step in terms of the loudness of the car. I couldnt be more wrong.. removing the active sound effectively removes the "white noise". i didnt appreciate what part of the sound was the fake bit until after id removed it. its like when you unplug your refrigerator and then realise how loud it was. you can only appreciate it when the sound is removed. now i can actually hear the pops and bangs of the exhaust much clearer plus the induction noise from the K&Ns are clearer as well as the active sound effectivley interferred with what you hear in the car. its also far better hearing the exhaust from behind you and the engine/induction from up front rather than all around the cabin. plus im pretty sure my HK audio is clearer as well which makes sense as its not playing music and car noise together. all in all fantastic improvement and thanks for doing the video. for those non mechanical people like me its very simple and took me 20 mins.

[@cgeetaryan]

+jflexton Thanks for your input mate

[@toddrobinson9170]

sounds a lot better with the active sound disabled

[@SimonMedia666]

Exactly - I think this fake engine sound is totally stupid. I suspect my friend's BMW X3 also got it as it is a diesel car - and sound very artificial while accelerating.

[@elijahragandac2304]

I agree

[@xedovn]

Simon Media p

[@neilmyers9838]

Thank you for the detailed video. Took me about 30 minutes in total and I think overall the car is much more enjoyable now with this disabled. The car is quieter, but not in a bad way. It feels more natural and less in your face. Best mod so far, and its free!

[@freemanmiracle7975]

Why don't BMW make a on off switch for active sound ? How much a plastic switch cost ?

[@Rob-tx3jl]

Freeman miracle a plastic switch on every single car that they produce, would add up. They do it because people will complain that there engine is too quiet.

[@alicebate6384]

@@Rob-tx3jl They could just increase the price a few pennies and nobody would notice. The real reason is that they don't want to bring too much attention to the fact that they are having to fake their engine sound. Especially after already getting crap for not using a V8.

[@gg-ip3zo]

They don’t need to produce anything, they can just program it into the infotainment system.

[@GermanAngryBird]

7:19 fully revved out cold engine, nice.

[@bransam72783]

+Michael ᕦ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)ᕤ - You'll notice though the engine oil temp reads warm. Its the ring around the Tach. It will be all yellow all the way around to like 4k when the engine is cold, as the oil warms the lights go out.

[@GermanAngryBird]

bransam72783 There's an oil temp gauge on the right where you can see that it's cold

[@bransam72783]

Oh you right. Thought that was the Water Temp.

[@AchOwed]

+Michael ᕦ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)ᕤ So what?

[@xcrossTV]

It´s not fully warm, but cold is something else.

[@lilliu90716]

Best mod for the new M! That active sound is annoying, no one wants pointless noise in a car unless it's the byproduct of extra performance. BMW wake up!

[@Enlightautomotive]

If any of you think the BMW active sound is bad. Go check out the Lexus RC300 and RC350 Fsport models. Their "active sound" is ridiculous. They make it sound like an LFA

[@SkillerDanHD]

+Enlight Automotive - Vibrant LED and HID lighting technology Ya, atleast they actually use the cars engine tone

[@tailopez5106]

7:17 a pull on a cold motor... nice 👍

[@SpeedFreak0122]

Enlight Automotive - The best LED and HID lights for you vehicle Just a tip- wait for your engine to warm up before performing hard accelerations / high RPM

[@Enlightautomotive]

Once somebody comes out with a single turbo kit for the M4/M3 I think the true engine/exhaust note will sound much much better. This Inline 6 reminds me of the 2JZ engines. In my opinion, the stock 2JZ twin turbo setup sounds pretty poor, but when people switch over to a single turbo setup it drastically changes the sound.

[@KINGPerformance]

+Enlight Automotive - Vibrant LED and HID lighting technology Please check Out our brutal Bmw M3 F80 with FULL Akrapovic Evolution Race Exhaust and some other nice modifications ;)

[@accord21]

When do you think that will be?

[@TheSaint491]

///AMG okay, any companies that make a single downpipe that merges into a y pipe, or is it something you have to get custom built?

[@antdx316]

I have no idea why they keep putting in fake engine sounds or making ways to route sound from the engine to the cabin on purpose. Why can't they just leave it as it is???? The best way for people to get more sound is to give people the option to have a louder exhaust than doing all this fake artificial stuff on REAL expensive cars and supercars.

[@TheUltimateBlooper]

While I agree that the whole active sound BS is retarded, here are some reasons why it is done: 1) To make the car sound more powerful 2) To compensate for the efficiency of new combustion engines. Imagine the sound of an older (especially "muscle") car and how much louder those were compared to modern ones. This feeds into #1 again. 3) Branding. Sound design is apparently important for branding purposes, even in things like drinks and food. 4) A loud exhaust pisses other people off (especially at night), much more so than your internal speakers making a bit of "wroom wroom" for you to hear.

[@Noq92]

Well I wouldn’t consider an M4 expensive

[@sjroy76]

Just did this in my M4 following your video - Now I can hear my MPE and BMS Intakes a lot better without the resonant ASD overpowering both. Thanks for the great instructions...

[@DowntownTwo]

Just tried this; video was a big help. Anyone on the fence, try it, I don't think you'll go back.

[@scringe1]

I love this M4. I wish it had the sound of the 440i B58 engine with M exhaust. The inline 6 sounds so sweet.

[@getitnow33]

Even better when its in an F33

[@chpstaker]

Thanks a bunch for this video! It sounds so much better with this disabled

[@Kaisuke971]

I'm surprised how you don't have at least 100k views (well the audio quality isn't that, it might be the reason) because this is the first video i see clearly comparing with and without ASD, showing what the F8x really sound like. The 3% thing they said about the artificial sound is bullshit to me. Sounds more like at least 30% of what you hear is fake ! The difference is, as you said, really noticeable, and the car does sound less artificial, and more sporty without it. I think they don't need the ASD. I heard the F10, then the F8x without, and to me they sound better without it, and they don't need it. They are good sounding car, but they make them sound a bit weird with the ASD. Yes it's louder, but more weird, and less natural... The Active Sound Device should be a free option, just like the sunroof :/

[@JohnNick72]

Thanks for the tip. Easy free mod & paired with unplugging the exhaust valves makes the car sound much better/proper. Exhaust sounds is now from the back of the car. Music on the stereo sounds better too.

[@number36420]

A couple points. 1. The m3/m4 is quiet to begin with and needs active sound because you literally hear nothing to begin with 2. I got my m4 brand new because people like you beat up your car ignoring the cold oil temps and destroy your engine. Oil temp is everything. This is so bad for the engine.

[@Maur1c1oQ]

Thank you for posting this extremely helpful and to-the-point video. It worked like a charm on my 2016 Comp F80.

[@leloodallasmultipass]

IN THE KINGDOM OF HARMAN KADONE! dude. srsleh.

[@gasolara2002]

sounds good natural and it is a simple mod to do. Good job

[@promodelred]

Great write-up. So much better with it off wow. They really screwed up the ASD on this car, it Sounds so electrical and fake (in person). It wasn't that way with the F10 M5 or the M235i, which were incorporated very well. Man I love the legit sound it sounds a lot more like the e46 M3 but with turbo blow off

[@Enlightautomotive]

promodelred I totally agree. Although the AS makes more noise, its not better noise in my opinion. I am really liking the AS disabled. Especially when you can drive with the windows down and give it some gas. With the AS disabled it also give me new appreciation for how well refined the M4 really is. The level of engineering refinement is very good.

[@promodelred]

Almost like the ASD was a quick fix to the "in-engine" mic not working. They really hack jobbed it

[@aychihuahua99]

Active Sound in my M4 literally gives me a headache, who thought this was a good idea

[@Neil3D]

this isn't helpful to you but for anyone else, the ASD isn't anywhere near as bad in the M4 Convertible. I had a M3 CP courtesy car for a few days and the first thing I noticed as I pulled out of the dealership was the volume of the ASD in the M3 was insane. I personally didn't hate it but it was a thing.

[@Kyokushin4]

It sounds better when its disabled. More savage. Its not enough to just code it out? Its necessary to physically disconnect?

[@bmw330i91]

Great Job ! Sound like a e46 m3 inside. Awesome!

[@stefanfreestylez]

Drake 222 ya not nearly as good lol

[@excarnifico13]

Thanks for this awesome instructions. The active sound just lacks emotion in so many layers. I have tested the m4 many times so far and comparing it to my 1m coupe in terms of sound just was a big let down. As explained in the video it is not only the sound itself but also the origin/full sound atmosphere. The only time where on can grasp a bit of emotion is above 7000 rpm. I kind of had some problems with the throttle feel but this is a different story i assume.

[@Absolute4358]

Why you need to test sound above 7k RPM when the power drops off at 6k RPM.

[@Maximekeeuh]

Sound seems to have more character with active sound disabled, I like it

[@jamesgarvey8402]

I like the fact that it sounds a bit more tinny like my old e46 M3 with the active sound.. "Deactivated". I'm all for not having fake sounds pumped into the cabin. That's just cheap. Just my $.02

[@levelazn]

Worst new feature on a new car. Whoever came up with this needs to be fired. No customer likes this fake shit

[@Vethursan1]

+Ruoyu Li The sound is not synthetic, it amplifies it, just like a ton of other car manufactures lets sound through the cabin. Some choose to do it through speakers and some through the the air vents etc. Cars are getting more isolated from the outside world, therefore decreasing the amount of sound that can be led into the cabin. Pumping extra noise into the cabin is common these days, nothing new here. Personally, I would rather have amplified sound, than no sound at all, that is just sad.

[@levelazn]

+Vethursan1 just roll down the window if you want more sound. Also tesla has no sound. It's not entirely Useful or necessary

[@Vethursan1]

Ruoyu Li Yea just roll your window down at the autobahn or highway, doesn't get annoying at all.. But they should have made it easier to at least turn it off from the cabin.

[@samsara3694]

no, it's synthetic. That's why, for example, you can choose to code in the m3/m4 sound for the m2 or the m240i.

[@levelazn]

i have the car...

[@blamethemachine007]

Why do people keep on about the sound? I've had tvr Tuscans, Alpina B10 , M3 and Porche .... This car makes me smile more than any of them DAILY! ..... Ok I could of smiled daily with the Tuscan but it broke down more than it worked! .... This car makes noises you can't describe unless you were in it! ... It's great!

[@Absolute4358]

Because people that bitch about the sound dont actually have the car. I bought my M4 last week and on WOT its not actually too bad sound. And im coming from my last car a modded 800 WHP Subaru STI which of course nothing beats the sound of.

[@sergeshkolniy9172]

to me it sounds exactly the same with it disabled but quiter , i loved the "fake" sound on my f10 m5 CP and will be keeping it on my f80 m3 CP , to each their own , thank you for detaile DIY.

[@imdomlol]

or just code it out get a veepeak its 45 dollars and you can literally turn it off, open ur exhaust valves, check ur boost, oil temp, coolant, etc

[@ksull72487]

Honestly their are times I like the active sound. I guess it would depend. If your not on it or anything it’s not really annoying. But a setting in iDrive would be nice to disable it. Some guys disable it and then turn it back on. Cars definitely got some noise but over all is a fairly quite car for what it is. In those instances the active sound just makes it sound so much meaner. Don’t get me wrong. It’s loud enough but not enough to wake up the neighbors.

[@da_SpiffR]

Thanks a lot for taking the time to make this video, and some impressive one handed work/camera work! I'm trying to decide whether to do it or not.... Hmmmm. Any suggestions? Opinions? Long term thoughts?

[@johanmagnussen5774]

Great video dude!! Thank you! My 428i has never sound so good

[@cuthberm]

So glad I've done this, thanks for the video

[@411dify]

Because fake sound = fake sound.

[@JohnSRR-lw4bx]

Harman Kardon not Harman Kadan lol

[@Enlightautomotive]

Yes, guilty as charged.

[@Thee_FluffyBunz]

lmao I just commented the same thing

[@xFlared]

Harman KadAAAAN. xD

[@ashafi4092]

I hate the synthetic sounds and I hate the natural sound even worse. This is y we need naturally aspirated V8s

[@joeconcertshd3451]

Sounds a real M3 as it should!

[@goons123flofy]

great video. the active sound makes me nauseous - this is a good option to try.

[@mrhustler415]

I think adding some kind of on and off switch would make more sense rather than disconnecting it IMO.

[@Drive_Nation]

Way Way better. Good Job :)

[@adamzeller7249]

I think it sounds better but I can’t really tell but I’m sure it’s better in person

[@turdfurg47]

Real in depth video on how to get to a wire connector by opening a latch

[@2B055]

I prefer with active sound, and if I want more sound intake or titanium performance exhaust are nice options.

[@peppino9255]

Can I turn off the active sound to my BMW M4 i bought in Forza 7? That shit cost me 60,000 credits. Expensive. Bout to return that car. Crap. :D

[@justa4s_]

Peppino92 Lol sell it on the Auction House

[@ad78]

Just simply code the asd module to turn off. You can even change the sound of you want

[@plumtiger1]

Very well done video!

[@christoffer1973]

How is the stereo work after you un plug it? have you checked if some of the other cables have a function. on the plug you disconnected have meny cables.

[@Noq92]

You don’t have to pull it all off actually. Just follow instructions till 3:00 and you should be able to reach under it. It’s a little cramped but it works. I recommend this for everybody. Sound is splendid afterwards. Can’t believe I drove for almost 12 months with active sound

[@TheVacour]

WOW... this is really what you have to do in order to turn off the virtual engine sound?

[@HappyDude1]

thx man i have some questions is it really that simple ? just pull the plug out ? :) i dont think this has any risk ? is it the same for the bmw m2 ?

[@anthonyt4981]

i'm waiting for an answer too. I read somewhere else that unplugging this unplugs the entire stereo amplifier. Not sure if that's true.

[@Jack-xs6fx]

great video man

[@den_525]

I hope people realise there is a much easier way.... Just code it out!!

[@Michael_00001]

Mine was programmed off with my stage 1 tune. Added benefit? About 70 hp. :)

[@lulu2707]

hey dude, actually there is an easy way to do it without hardware configuration. Just buy a obd cable online and connect it to the car then program the system to disable the sound.

[@deans4791]

I have the cable and I still chose to disconnect like this guy did. Why did I make this choice? I am a computer programmer (and was a car stereo installer before that) and there is a learning curve to "coding" a BMW, along with significant risk that you can damage the ECU. Also, the reference information to learn how to use the available software tools is extremely limited and written from the point of view that you already have some knowledge of the tool. In the end, I could spend a few hours and learn to code the car and be nervous that I might damage something or have to summon outside help OR I could spend 20 minutes and disconnect the darn thing and start enjoying the change. I did this almost a year ago and I can't imagine this car with that fake (but subtle) sound again.

[@pressmiff3753]

Dean S it’s not that serious . Bimmer code app and plug from amazon

[@mdossantosd]

I had no idea BMW builds their trunk interiors so cheaply. Take a look at an Audi trunk interior to see what quality looks like.

[@promodelred]

Lol. You feeling your trunk materials man?

[@fast4d1]

how much does your fat ass audi weight?

[@josephroberthack]

I too buy my cars based on trunk quality.

[@stefanfreestylez]

audi....quality....LOL

[@Reports-tw6ld]

@Mdos True

[@clubracer6]

Thank you!

[@lucyferr5571]

Is it the same process for a 2018 M2?

[@BigBoss-ps6vk]

Can this be disabled via coding?

[@discotek1198]

how about adding nail cutter to your toolbox?

[@altheg]

Is it possible to modify the sound files, for example exchange them with the M5/M6 V8 sound?

[@FOT2010]

All the Active Sound does is amplify your current car's exhaust note.

[@peppino9255]

lmao if only that was possible. F80/82 sound like shit

[@gorbshyper374]

Why you make a active sound its a M

[@shaned1500]

say Harmon kardon right once please

[@BlahNsTuFF2000]

+Shane Dennis Hey, I just learned I have a Harmon Kaddon system! Remember, they have the best HID lights for "you" vehicle. Lol.

[@egycsab]

+Shane Dennis Especially when its Harman

[@shaned1500]

+Mr B autocorrect

[@Jason954x]

No needs for any physical disabling, it can be disabled through coding.

[@melbourne95]

7:17 7:38

[@NzoDK]

Your audio recording has some sort of LPF triggered gate controlling a HPF. especially when accelerating 7:38. It's evident due to the unnatural phase shifting in the low end.

[@Enlightautomotive]

+Nzo D-K I think this effect you are referring to is actually the a result of the tires struggling for traction. That particular section of pavement was not very smooth and the load on the engine fluctuates as the tires struggle for traction. The M4 will break traction in 2nd gear quite easily. Traction control was off and this pulsing effect is audible by ear. But you may be right, there could be some additional effect from the recording.

[@lostmic]

Why do they do this in the first place?

[@vapelyfe7222]

you cannot code this on M4 & M3?

[@Baltahfeek]

What's a Harman karadan?

[@lilgod5181]

Fresh be like yes

[@jason.mwalsh5867]

Wouldn't it be easier to code it out?

[@bwhobackk]

They should really just bury a setting somewhere in the car's menu to let people turn it off. -- "Active Sound" seems like more of a Lexus idea.

[@Absolute4358]

100% correct mate. They should.

[@Phenixzero]

Nicely done, but I wonder can this just simply switch ON/OFF in iDrive ?

[@Enlightautomotive]

+Phenix HSIEH This is not an option in iDrive. I even asked the dealership if they could disable it with coding, they checked but didn't know how to do it or if it was even possible.

[@Phenixzero]

I think you might need to find shop that able to complete update software through proper gadgets, because just like engine auto ON/OFF function, the default was ON, you just have to turn it off every single time, but I know there are software able to change the default into "OFF", so that you won't have to shut it OFF every time when you start the car. if you found such a shop, there might be a possibility that "active sound" actually hide in software function. just provide a possibility suggestion to you. :)

[@Flair978]

+Phenix HSIEH I have a 2016 M3 and when i turn it off it stays off!

[@Absolute4358]

Great idea if they had thought of it. Save all this headache

[@Absolute4358]

How do you turn it off.?

[@kavinduadithya41]

nice carrrr

[@jaredk817]

couldn't you just de activate it via programming ?

[@RacingRalphEVO]

Wait, does this mod only disable the AC? Because the guy that disabled AC on the M5 could'n listen to music anymore.

[@Enlightautomotive]

RacingRalphEVO Sound works fine. I can still play all music sources without issue (bluetooth, radio etc) Everything still works for me.

[@mistergeer8627]

Enlight Automotive - The best LED and HID lights for you vehicle Just completed the modification to my new M3 (which I picked up 8 hours ago) and everything works perfectly! The only difference is that it sounds like an M3 is supposed to sound like, not a video game. Thanks for sharing! -Cheers

[@1000DrSkipper]

As terrible as that active sound BS is - why did BMW move away from the integrated screen? The iPad sticking out of the dash looks comparable to how badly the active sound sounds. This is to say that the aesthetic of the iPad dash is similar, in terms of lousiness, to the sound and idea of the fake exhaust. One is not necessarily worse than the other. They are both key ingredients in the shitification of this particular auto. G'day.

[@charlietreadwell]

Or just all EAS and code off the Active Sound with one line of script. Everyone I know that has disabled it has turned it back on.

[@jordanbanko5347]

Can’t you just code it out? I wouldn’t want to risk taking my trunk apart.

[@fast4d1]

had it disabled when I got the car coded. active led headlights are cool. active sound is simply fake. not impressed.

[@15thgear]

While we are on the subject i would like to make a small rant about some of the other car trends nowadays. I dont know who came up with it first but i hate to see a one small round exhaust tip surrounded by some weird square tip like you can see on so many SUVs these days. Even worse, companies like MB and Audi now tur fake dual tips where you can clearly see on or both tips are filled with plastic and actual exhaust is a small tube hidden cause its diesel. Just give me that M car with real deal quad tips.

[@houseofno]

Who in the world thought that fake exhaust noise piped in through the sound system was a good idea? Why wasn't the natural exhaust sound good enough?

[@Enlightautomotive]

Brian Weir In BMW's defense, the M3 and M4 are so refined in terms of interior quality and road noise suppression, they probably wanted to bring more of the sound into the vehicle cabin to enhance the driver experience. Its just poor execution, vehicles like the LFA actually take vibrations direction from the intake manifold into the cabin. that is a better approach.

[@e_e846]

Wow! So the turbo charged BMW still can sound great! You just need to turn this artificial shit off.

[@jchapa5]

Now that the active sound was disabled. Does anyone know of a good exhaust system to instal into the M3/M4 to naturally amplify the exhaust sound.

[@Absolute4358]

akrapovic

[@yonyhernandez3527]

Don’t put US and bmw in the same sentence 😞

[@H8ts]

Can't you just ask your local stealer to disable it by software? I can't believe you would have to disconnect cables to disable it...

[@contentmaker7777]

why would you deleted wtf

[@lindabazzano7081]

I would appreciate instruction on the convertible model. ThanksGlenn

[@batuhanozhan2742]

I think you just enabled the disabled system...

[@5.7_TY]

Sounds like the e60 twin turbo

[@quattro4468]

If you go to bmw forums. Users try to convince why this is good. Its ficking sad..

[@Yiannis172]

i like it better before

[@Chef2866]

I like the active sound.

[@ferrarienzo5252]

Is that mineral or alpine?

[@Enlightautomotive]

+Charles Austin Mineral Metallic White

[@JaZoN_XD]

Sounds so much more like a straight 6... because IT IS A STRAIGHT 6

[@willyschanke399]

Haha, it actually sounds like a BMW without it. The fake sound is a bit like MB AMG I think. Imagine if Porsche faked the Ferrari sound... lol