I've been thinking a lot about the BMW M4 just lately.. as in, I'd be quite tempted by one. But I just can't get over the thought of the bloody synthesised engine noise which gets piped in through the speakers. I'm yet to drive one so I've not experienced it first hand, so I'm wondering whether anyone here has? (or experienced another car which has, eg the new M5).

All the reports I've read say it spoils the experience somewhat, and that although it's not 'fake' noise (it's an 'enhancement of the real sound') it still sounds very fake. To me this is a real put-off. I've no doubt that the M4 would be an upgrade on my M5 in many ways, but the noise the V10 makes is amazing and I'm not sure I could live without something at least almost as good, even if there are a great many other upsides.

My mk7 Golf GTI, and the R version, has a Soundaktor which makes a throaty noise that (is supposed to) enhance the driving experience

Putting into sports mode turns it on, it doesn't really bother me and my partner loves it, I haven't had the opportunity to tell her it's fake.

The car itself is bloody amazing, so good at everything, so I dont really mind, though it can grate after a while so at some stage is may get disconnected. Turning the stereo up drowns it out

I guess that it's a reaction to the way that modern cars are so insulated that they lose the sound of the engine/exhaust and you then lose some of the experience that goes with it.

My M135i had it. To be honest you don't notice it. When I upgraded my exhaust you could hear the noise of the exhaust rather than engive sound through the speakers.

You can get the synthesised noise coded out if you would rather not have it. You can also increase/lower the volume of the fake noise.

There was a guy who changed the sound file in his M135i to the M3 sound file and he made a video. The M3 file gave a much more throaty sound and it was louder so I can see why M3/M4 owners wouldn't like it.

On another note, have you considered the M2 rather than the M4? It's cheaper and judging by the reviews a better drivers car.

See, if a manufacturer feels the need to pipe engine noise into the car it should tell you something. A big something, ' the car lacks character so we will pretend it has some', the while fake golf noise and VAG fart thing is laughable, the noise put me off the S5 (that and the total lack of character) the golf r was duller than dull on a grey overcast dull day.

The M2 does review much better than the M4 and for the price difference if space isn't an issue I can't see the advantage unless it's for pub talking stats.

I also can't see why you'd replace a V10 M5 with either, you have a genuine super car chaser with 5 seats and a boot unless its down to age and mpg then I couldn't see a reason to swap.

In my opinion the new wave of M's also look a bit pretentious.

My neighbours son in law has one and its pretty loud. Not sure if he has an aftermarket exhaust on it but it definately doesn't need any enhancement in the cabin.

This is how I would want mine to sound when I put my foot down.
Press to listen and play

Agreed Muzzie - I'm not a fan of this either......
Even with lovely cars like the F-type - I get a little irked by the fact they deliberately engineer the exhaust system to 'crackle'n'pop' rather than let the actual engine do the talking. Its almost laughable now how much and how in-vogue that seems to be - almost on every gear change up or down on some cars! OK so I know we all put cherry-bombs and Ansa's on our old skool stuff but that was trying to make a crap engine sound soulful when todays engines should 'naturally' create the effect.

Totally agree with you on all of this.

For me there is a significant difference between cars like the Jag or the RS5 which have systems that in effect tame the sound and those cars which play additional sound files through the car sound system. The jag F type R sounds epic in sports mode but I can understand why you may not wish to have it make those noises when leaving and arriving home at unsociable hours.

All down to the majority of buyers not really wanting to hear what is outside. They want quiet comfort and a button that turns the stuff on when they want.

The sound of a V8 is magical, but i reckon that after 2 hours of driving it becomes a lot less magical if you are plodding up and down the M1, M6 or M5.

Nope

Personally I can't hear the engine or exhaust with the windows shut, even with the stereo off. It does 40 mph / 1k revs in top so it's not really 'throbbing' at motorway pace.

I'd assume all those cars with 3' + exhausts on a 4 banger 2.0 may have issues with noise in the cabin on the motorway.

I've not read 1 article where anyone likes the synthetic sounds. Most Unplug it.

It seems utterly pointless. Making a quiet cabin and then playing pretend sounds into the car. I just can't see a need, if I want to hear the car I drop the windows and turn off the radio if I don't I close them. It seems like extra weight and expense just for the hell of it. Aren't cars heavy enough already?