M54 Sound generator foam (larger piece)

elfer

elfer

Member
 SE UK
Anyone removing their sound generator foam want to swap the larger piece for a beer token rather than bin it?

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I bought my Z4 with both pieces already removed and I want to try it stock for comparison. Vendor still had the smaller piece still but not the larger piece, so I'll need to source that. I can buy a complete new tube for £25 from BMW but, before I do, thought I'd ask on here first in case someone's about to throw their foam out.
 
Mine was missing when I bought the 3.0si too - I cut up a kitchen sponge and shoved it in to save my ears when the roof was up, it's probably half, maybe two-thirds the size of that picture (I couldn't find a picture of it!) and is maybe right on the edge of being okay with the roof up. With the roof down it howls nicely.
 
caius said:
I cut up a kitchen sponge and shoved it in to save my ears when the roof was up, it's probably half, maybe two-thirds the size of that picture (I couldn't find a picture of it!) and is maybe right on the edge of being okay with the roof up. With the roof down it howls nicely.
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Thanks for the that. I've only driven it roof down so far and agree it's not too loud, it's more that I'm not finding it a very cultured noise. I love the way the M54 sings in my E46 at high rpm and I think I'd rather be hearing that, even if it's not as loud.

I might try that kitchen sponge tip if I can't find the correct foam. Would be nice to try it how BMW intended though.
 
Just tagging on to this post as I am also looking for the foam inserts please ... Thanks in advance for any help !
 
Given it's not actually doing anything than sound deadening (i.e. it's completely sealed off from the intake by the diaphragm) I'd genuinely just put any foam in there. The stuff that's in it is quite dense so if you wanted something close to OEM then dark grey or a sort of white/silver (I've seen both used) high-density upholstery foam would do it.

Here's a picture - they're hardly a work of art and all a different shape (well, the four I've seen have all been different).

Sorry, I know that's not actually answering your question but I've been through this myself.

I'm working on a butterfly valve (linked to Sport button) for it so if that works, you can have my foam but might be a while before I get to fit it as I'm away for September.
 

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Thanks Dan, I was wondering about alternate materials but wasn’t quite sure . Might give your suggestions a go. I’m still interested once you complete your project also … thanks 👍🏻
 
Hoppy said:
Thanks Dan, I was wondering about alternate materials but wasn’t quite sure . Might give your suggestions a go. I’m still interested once you complete your project also … thanks 👍🏻
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You're very welcome. Honestly, perfectly safe - from the throttle body 'bend' there's a pipe that goes to a one way diaphragm so the sound resonator is totally isolated so no chance of causing any issues. Hence me using a butterfly valve so I can turn it on or off.
 
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