Questions from soon to be owner

M

moroboshi

New member
Hi all, I've just ordered an M40i which is due next weekend (hopefully the weather is good, but I'm in the UK so who knows). I do have a few questions though which maybe people can have a crack at answering.

1 - I read that the car pumps fake engine noise into the cabin? Seems like an odd thing to do, but it can be disabled with an app called Bimmercode. Has anyone used this, and is it worth the expense of the dongle you apparently need to buy? As someone who isn't into fake stuff (fake noises in EVs drive me nuts, why do they exist?!) I'm thinking I'll dislike it in the Z4 too.

2 - I had a test drive in one of course, but the dealer did stuff with the gear shifter and said off you go. I'm coming from a history of only ever having driven either manual petrol cars (my current car is an MX-5 RF) or EVs, so the BMW auto box looks kind of complex. There are buttons on the side and the front, and it can be moved left and right as well as up and down.... I tried reading a Z4 manual but it honestly didn't make much sense.

3 - It looks like it has a ton of driving modes, like an EV I guess but there are even more of them. Can someone summarise them for me please? The online manual I read was also pretty vague on this stuff. Is it for example to set it up to be nice and sporty but turn off those exhaust popping noises? (which I guess are fake?)

Thanks everyone.
 
Hello, welcome and congratulations on your purchase, you will not be disappointed :thumbsup:

I believe they do, though I would say that I have never felt the noise to be fake at all, the B58 is one of the finest engines ever made and with the top down sounds every bit as glorious as with the roof up especially as you build rpm. I'm lucky enough to have a manual M40i and the rise in noise from it, is intoxicating and just makes you want to go. I'm over 800 miles in and have started to explore 2nd gear further and that is such a delight and is entirely worth the extra cost and everyday inconvenience over the automatic.

The 8SP ZF is a marvellous automatic and is very easy to live with, it changes gear with both speed and smoothness, pushing the gear lever left enters it to manual control, that is you control the shifts until it decides to override you. Keeping it in drive, you can also change gear using the paddles, though I always forgot to change gear afterwards because I didn't have to! The dynamics of the gearbox changes with those modes, situated to the right, these are eco, comfort, sport and sport plus. I don't think I've ever used economy mode, comfort for everyday easiness, sport for when you want to drive and sport plus when you want to have fun with limited driver aids. These driving modes define the driving experience by altering the throttle and gearbox responsiveness, damper stiffness and steering weight. There is an individual setting where you can specify each characteristic, the firmer dampers can make the ride a little more jittery. In sport and sport plus there is an allowable exhaust overrun to create the pops and crackles, they are not simulated, just artificially created by the ECU leaving some unburnt fuel that pops and crackles as it goes through the hot exhaust system.

We expect lots of pictures when you get it and a small history piece of you and your cars is always welcome.
 
sars said:
I'm over 800 miles in and have started to explore 2nd gear
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What? You drove the first 800 miles in first gear? So, at 4,000 miles are you looking forward to seeing what sixth is like? :D :wink:
 
moroboshi said:
2 - I had a test drive in one of course, but the dealer did stuff with the gear shifter and said off you go. I'm coming from a history of only ever having driven either manual petrol cars (my current car is an MX-5 RF) or EVs, so the BMW auto box looks kind of complex. There are buttons on the side and the front, and it can be moved left and right as well as up and down.... I tried reading a Z4 manual but it honestly didn't make much sense.
Click to expand...

Modern auto gearboxes are like washing machines.....many different 'programs' but you only ever use one (usually the easiest one)! :D
 
Hi moroboshi
I've had mine just over a year and still haven't really explored everything modes wise - that's fine thou as most of the time you can just stick it in drive and enjoy! As sars mentioned the gearbox is smooth and quick - really relaxing if you are just pootling along, but will kick down so quickly when you press the loud pedal to have some fun - all with zero effort!

So yeah don't worry about it just drive and learn as you go :)

Oh, and having recently driven a bmw EV, trust me, it's nothing like that!
Cheers
 
Yea just get in and drive leave it in comfort, it makes more noise and uses more fuel in sport plus if that’s what you want
It doesn’t go any faster.
The G29 is a good choice if you want a front engined roadster for touring, it’s fast, comfortable, looks good, it’s not a racer or a track day car, it can be serviced at any BMW dealer so costs sensible money to run
 
Well as you've ordered it hopefully you'll get to grips with all the gadgetry!

Anyway welcome to the forum and don't forget we like to see photos.
 
moroboshi said:
1 - I read that the car pumps fake engine noise into the cabin? Seems like an odd thing to do, but it can be disabled with an app called Bimmercode. Has anyone used this, and is it worth the expense of the dongle you apparently need to buy? As someone who isn't into fake stuff (fake noises in EVs drive me nuts, why do they exist?!) I'm thinking I'll dislike it in the Z4 too.
Click to expand...

I didn't know this, but REALLY want to know the answer to your question as the exhaust noise is the one thing that I HATE about this car.
I've never liked loud exhausts as I live in a residential area & often come home late at night & really don't want to disturb the neighbours more than I have to.
I drive in Comfort mode at night to try & make the engine as quiet as possible, but if I can reduce this in any way, I need to know asap.

The car is really fast & almost too clever for it's own good sometimes with the myriad of options on the computer.
 
Hi.
Regarding the fake engine noise..
Yes you can turn it via Bimmercode, I have done just that.
I like my music in my car,s and the fake noise was off putting.
Really easy to do...
I also disabled the start stop function...
Regarding driving the car. I usually just use comfort mode, as that is the default setting. Although you can change that via Bimmercode , something I intend to do, is to make the adaptive setting the default setting.

I have used the car in "manual" mode, knock the stick to the left and use the paddles, but only if I am feeling "sporty" and unfortunately that cant be used a great deal, on out congested " big brother watching" roads we now have... :driving: :driving: :driving:
 
Did turning off the fake noise make a big difference?

And what's the process for doing it? I read a few different articles on it, one talked about needing an activation code?
 
moroboshi said:
Did turning off the fake noise make a big difference?

In what way.? It made the car quieter and the music slightly better. If you like exhaust noise then leave it switched on... :driving:

And what's the process for doing it? I read a few different articles on it, one talked about needing an activation code?
Click to expand...

Sorry cant remember as it was about 2 years ago I did it.... I just remember it was pretty straight forward. You do need to purchase the dongle that goes in the obd port, but the Bimmercode app was free.
 
On Amazon, there are millions of OBD dongles at different prices....do you need a specific one or for them to be BMW certified etc...?
 
Ell201275 said:
On Amazon, there are millions of OBD dongles at different prices....do you need a specific one or for them to be BMW certified etc...?
Click to expand...

You’ll need a BimmerCode approved dongle..most won’t work
 
I've been looking on the Bimmercode app & am not sure which is the option to disable the fake engine noise in the cabin?
Is it in "Active Sound Design" which I presume has to be made "Not Active" from "Active"?
 
Had 4 previous Z4s and enjoyed everyone in different ways. Had the M40i now for a few months and still haven't discovered half of what this thing is capable of. Just drive and play with a few things as you find them. Personally, comfort mode with Sports steering option is my usual everyday setting especially when my wife is in the passenger seat. Full sports mode when not.

Just enjoy and don't forget the pictures or you will be reminded very quickly.
 
Welcome!

I wouldn’t turn off the active exhaust noise as it’s kinda weird without it. Your choice though.
I have mine set to auto start in sports individual mode and I switch to comfort when on the motorway.

What spec and colour did you get?
 
Ell201275 said:
I've been looking on the Bimmercode app & am not sure which is the option to disable the fake engine noise in the cabin?
Is it in "Active Sound Design" which I presume has to be made "Not Active" from "Active"?
Click to expand...

Correct..... :thumbsup:
 
Had no idea there was fake engine noise inside the cabin. There should be an option to switch it on and off if there is. If I want to hear the engine, I would put the top down.
Can we be clear on the source of this engine noise though. Is it totally fake and coming through the speakers or is it via the engine set up where it burns unspent fuel in a hot exhaust to produce the noises we all like?
 
Nanu said:
Had no idea there was fake engine noise inside the cabin. There should be an option to switch it on and off if there is. If I want to hear the engine, I would put the top down.
Can we be clear on the source of this engine noise though. Is it totally fake and coming through the speakers or is it via the engine set up where it burns unspent fuel in a hot exhaust to produce the noises we all like?
Click to expand...

Yes it is totally fake, and is played through the speakers.
yes it can be turned off via Bimmercode, along with coding other things.... :thumbsup:
 
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