[300hp]

Originally Posted by Halsifer

I called BMW Genius and asked for a confirmation. They dug around and got back to me after confirming with their supervisors that all 3-series and 4-series vehicles of year model 2014 are equipped with Active Sound Design and it is active with the N55 engine as well. (Hence the 2014 335i) It is definitely installed and active.

Actually, I think we talked about this before. And I explained how your 'proof' of listening inside the cabin and outside did not make any sense. Again, you cannot simply walk inside the cabin and out and say, 'It sounds the same, so it must not be there.' It makes like a small percent of additional noise. And that synthetic noise is engine noise, so of course it would sound the exact same. All it does is add additional engine noise.

Assuming you have a 2014 335i, it's minimal, but it's there. If you were to code out ASD, quickly drive at some high revs, and then code it back it, you will hear a small difference. Not a huge difference since the N55 is already loud enough.

I think my post clearly says if it's there it's effect is inconsequential.

BMW geniuses don't usually know what they are talking about anyways and honestly I would not go nuts about what they say.

You can believe what/who you want to believe, it's a free country

Edit
I just went to the post you linked and even then I state and repeat here

"I guess if you are bothered by what you believe is ASD on your car that's fine. I certainly don't have it in mine. I know there is some part that is supposedly there but in both the 2013 and the 2014 it's not doing anything that I should be worried about"

I still stand by that, nothing has changed since

[300hp]

Originally Posted by Halsifer

Assuming you have a 2014 335i, it's minimal, but it's there. If you were to code out ASD, quickly drive at some high revs, and then code it back it, you will hear a small difference. Not a huge difference since the N55 is already loud enough.

Exactly. Looks like we can use different methods but we arrive at the same conclusion. If it's there, and this is a huge if BTW, it's effect is inconsequential. This is the same thing you are saying here. Lol. We are on the same page after all

[metrathon]

I have a 2012 and I had at least 3 2014's for a few days each. What I'm listing here are not some subtle differences, but real, easy to spot:

1. All doors close much easier. No need to slam anymore. Sounds better too, the muffled sound, not the tin can one.
2. The lock/unlock from inside the car is much quieter.
3. Engine sounds different, better, meaner. Like someone said above, like the old NA 6 cyl.
4. ASS almost imperceptible now. It also kicks in faster, not after a second or so after you stopped, like it does now.


And of course, the well know updates: nav, touchpad, etc, etc.

[buckybadger]

That's why its always good to wait for a 2nd or 3rd year model, i.e. if you can. All the silly annoying issues usually tend to get resolved by then.

[x5mad]

I was given a MY13 (328) for an extended overnight test drive. This almost put me off buying the car. The steering was crap, the suspension was floaty, and cornering horrible. Even my sister who is not a car enthusiast commented on the drive and said my E88 was nicer to drive.

I'm glad I went ahead though and got an MY14, it feels just so much better almost a different car.

The ASD definitely is noticeable as when I coded it off, the car was just sooo quiet!

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by x5mad

I was given a MY13 (328) for an extended overnight test drive. This almost put me off buying the car. The steering was crap, the suspension was floaty, and cornering horrible. Even my sister who is not a car enthusiast commented on the drive and said my E88 was nicer to drive.

I'm glad I went ahead though and got an MY14, it feels just so much better almost a different car.

The ASD definitely is noticeable as when I coded it off, the car was just sooo quiet!

I'm sure you're wrong, unless the car you test-drove was f*ed up. Between MY13 and My14 we're not talking about a DIFFERENT car. MY13 wasn't a Lexus SC and transformed into an MY14 F30 when BMWUS updated their website There's no change to steering or suspension.

[adhrp]

Originally Posted by Aritaurus

The M sport steering wheel was US$1500 and was almost plug and play. My friend had to help me run a wire from the steering ring over to FEM_BODY to get the paddles working.

The NBT worked out to be about USD$1500 and that is my second one. The first one I had was from Europe and didn't have Satellite radio so I bought another one ans swapped it out. My first NBT kit had an extra screen and controller which I didn't need so I sold the old head unit, screen and controller to my friend. Installing NBT is actually not hard at all as most of it is just swapping out the hardware and coding it in. Since I came from CIC, I had to install a new Bluetooth Antenna and we had to tap the trigger wire from the amp over to the fuse directly to get sound.

The touch controller was about US$400 as you also need to get a touch ECU module which I got from my dealer.

Thanks for the breakdown.

[KGB_123_99]

Originally Posted by x5mad

I was given a MY13 (328) for an extended overnight test drive. This almost put me off buying the car. The steering was crap, the suspension was floaty, and cornering horrible. Even my sister who is not a car enthusiast commented on the drive and said my E88 was nicer to drive.

I'm glad I went ahead though and got an MY14, it feels just so much better almost a different car.

The ASD definitely is noticeable as when I coded it off, the car was just sooo quiet!

There are no suspension differences between 2013 and 2014, so there are no differences in cornering. 2014 does have ASD so the engine "sound" is better, that is true. Also, the engine mounts are improved so the ASS feels smoother. Sorry, but that is all...

[Diesel power]

I wonder if a lot of these posts are the results of tires. BMW does offer 3 different tire models in several different sizes so it's entirely possible that if you drove a 2013 car with 17's and all seasons and then drove a 2014 with 18's and summer tires it would make a significant difference in the way the car turns, stops, and rides.

[carzaddict]

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

There are no suspension differences between 2013 and 2014, so there are no differences in cornering. 2014 does have ASD so the engine "sound" is better, that is true. Also, the engine mounts are improved so the ASS feels smoother. Sorry, but that is all...

i know there arent any differences in the suspension......but when i had my 2014 328 loaner...it too felt like crap! it was a base model X-Drive (I have m-sport x-drive.....so it should be the same suspension)......the car felt uneasy and scary to drive. i wasnt comfortable at all

[GreenThree]

Originally Posted by alpinweiss 335i

Yes, they are very different. All in the software. Your 2013 car should receive the new 2014 software from the dealer and all is good again.

Dealer just completed 2014 software update. Steering feel is improved, and throttle action seems slightly more responsive. Car rides the same, and engine still clatters at cold start.

IMO, the 2014 model year is a significant improvement over the previous model year

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by carzaddict

i know there arent any differences in the suspension......but when i had my 2014 328 loaner...it too felt like crap! it was a base model X-Drive (I have m-sport x-drive.....so it should be the same suspension)......the car felt uneasy and scary to drive. i wasnt comfortable at all

Dude, if a 2014 328i X-Drive "feels uneasy and scary to drive", how do the rest of tens of cheaper models out there feel? What about an Accord? Or an Avalon? Have you been driving Formula 1s all your life?

Sorry for the rant but exaggerations like this make me mad.

[kkapdolee]

Originally Posted by Halsifer

I called BMW Genius and asked for a confirmation. They dug around and got back to me after confirming with their supervisors that all 3-series and 4-series vehicles of year model 2014 are equipped with Active Sound Design and it is active with the N55 engine as well. (Hence the 2014 335i) It is definitely installed and active.

Actually, I think we talked about this before. And I explained how your 'proof' of listening inside the cabin and outside did not make any sense. The Post Again, you cannot simply walk inside the cabin and out and say, 'It sounds the same, so it must not be there.' It makes like a small percent of additional noise. And that synthetic noise is engine noise, so of course it would sound the exact same. All it does is add additional engine noise.



Assuming you have a 2014 335i, it's minimal, but it's there. If you were to code out ASD, quickly drive at some high revs, and then code it back it, you will hear a small difference. Not a huge difference since the N55 is already loud enough.

Hi, What's the number I can call to reach BMW Genius? I want to ask them if there is any way I can get Active Sound on my 2013.

[claykin]

Active Sound, love it. If you cannot make it sound right to begin with, fake it!

[Chriso79]

I have just got out of a 13 into a 14, both exact same spec. 328i Sport line with 18" wheels.
Only obvious difference in the way it drives to me is the active sound. Which does sound good btw.

[kppanic]

What about 2012 models? If I brought it in for scheduled maintenance, will they update the software to match the steering and the ASS sans Active Sound?

[Samurai30]

Originally Posted by Chriso79

I have just got out of a 13 into a 14, both exact same spec. 328i Sport line with 18" wheels.
Only obvious difference in the way it drives to me is the active sound. Which does sound good btw.

how can you tell the active sounds is on or working?

[Halsifer]

Originally Posted by kkapdolee

Hi, What's the number I can call to reach BMW Genius? I want to ask them if there is any way I can get Active Sound on my 2013.

They will not be able to quote you on getting it installed as a part. You will have to contact your specified dealership and ask them to look up the part and see if it is possible to fit in your vehicle. I'm assuming it wouldn't work since ASD sometimes acts as an independent ECU. (844) 443-6487

Originally Posted by kppanic

What about 2012 models? If I brought it in for scheduled maintenance, will they update the software to match the steering and the ASS sans Active Sound?

They will update the software to match the steering, yes. But not Active Sound Design, since it's a physical hardware part attached to the vehicle's amplifier.

Originally Posted by Samurai30

how can you tell the active sounds is on or working?

You can't really tell just by listening because it is engine noise. It's not like you can put your head up to the speaker and listen to it because either way, you are hearing your engine running. Active Sound Design is usually best heard at higher revs anyways (according to most the people on here that has been playing around with it.)

If it's equipped in your vehicle (any 2014+ 3/4-series), it's there and active. If you want to hear the difference with and without it, you can have it coded off and on and drive around with the windows up. (Or you can unplug it but that's a bigger pain in the butt.) You will notice a difference when driving harder and notice the cabin sound will be louder with it, giving it a sportier feel.

That's the only for sure way you can recognize the difference. Or you can drive a 2013 and a 2014 of the same engine and chassis. Otherwise, most owners wouldn't even know it's there or exists because it sounds exactly like the engine they have.

[The Nerd]

Originally Posted by alpinweiss 335i

Yes, they are very different. All in the software. Your 2013 car should receive the new 2014 software from the dealer and all is good again.

Maybe a stupid question...but is there any danger whatsoever in the MPPK getting erased if we let the dealer do a software update like that? And yes, I realize it could be put back on if that were to happen. But I just want to know if it could happen

[Chriso79]

Originally Posted by Samurai30

how can you tell the active sounds is on or working?

It is very obvious if you get out of an older car into the 2014 update. Goes from having very little sound to sounding like an inline 6. Especially at higher throttle levels.

[munch520]

Originally Posted by GreenThree

Had the opportunity to drive a 2014 328i today. Everything about it felt waaaay different than my 2013 328i. I compared the specs of both cars, nearly identical. The 2014 felt faster, rides better, had more steering heft, and the engine & exhaust sounded incredible (kind of like the inline 6 of my previous e90!)

So what changes, if any, did BMW make between model year 2013 and 2014?? Literally felt like two completely different cars.

What motor does your have? I'll bet this is a n20 vs n26 difference..

[Samurai30]

Originally Posted by Chriso79

It is very obvious if you get out of an older car into the 2014 update. Goes from having very little sound to sounding like an inline 6. Especially at higher throttle levels.

BMW did a good job with this then. I thought I was just hearing the revs coming directly from the engine. But I guess it's still fake though