[kaosHunter]

I actually like the GTS exhaust sound more, crackles and pops.

If I closed my eyes, I could have thought the M2 was just a 135i. Needs a bit more 'drama' in my opinion.

[Robban]

Like the GTS exhaust sound a lot.
Pops nicely!

[supremepower]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

I hope someone (IND?) makes a front lip similar to the GTS lip for the M2.

Exotics tuning is an exact replica minus the orange accents

[Mavus]

ooohh she squirts

[TheBingoBalls]

That's a terrible recording of the M4 GTS exhaust. I don't even need any experience to know that what was recorded is nowhere close to what it sounds like.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Previous M3 sounds just like a lot of other V8 powered cars IMO.

Like it or loathe it, at least the S55 engined M3/4 has a characteristic sound that no other car on the market has.

The M2 sounds good but unprovocative compared to a S55 exhaust.

Where the M2 sound is vanilla, the M4 sound is spicy chilli. Everyone likes vanilla but it's a bit main stream and bland...

Exactly! I 100% agree.

The biturbo N54 sounded very different to the single turbo N55, it had a more typical inline six sound. It's interesting.

[swagon]

Oh, by the way, is there a sound clip of this VTECJDMyo beast? Bet it sounds amazing with dat cannon.

[DS_BMW]

GTS sounds very aggressive. Bad ass IMO!! M2 sound good also.

[IS3andME]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Previous M3 sounds just like a lot of other V8 powered cars IMO.

Like it or loathe it, at least the S55 engined M3/4 has a characteristic sound that no other car on the market has.

The M2 sounds good but unprovocative compared to a S55 exhaust.

Where the M2 sound is vanilla, the M4 sound is spicy chilli. Everyone likes vanilla but it's a bit main stream and bland...

Except that the S65 is not like other V8 powered cars. It doesn't sound like an American or even a Mercedes AMG V8. It doesn't sound like an Ferrari flat plane V8, and it doesn't sound like a Lexus IS-F/RC-F V8.

You can use all the words you want to describe the S55's sound. If you use the anology of chili, that is some pretty weak sauce chili.

And in a double blind taste test, which "chili" would you think that most people would find more thrilling to their palate, the M2 exhaust or the M4 GTS exhaust?

And no, not everybody likes vanilla, it's the default. If given the choice...

[SW19]

LBB looks great in these pics and the M2 exhaust sounds perfect.Thanks for posting the pics.Where in London did they have the M2 on display?

[eugegall]

Originally Posted by Nantucket

LBB looks great in these pics and the M2 exhaust sounds perfect.Thanks for posting the pics.Where in London did they have the M2 on display?

It was in Farnborough, which is probably 25 miles outside of London.

[eugegall]

Everything was taken and filed with an iPhone so quality wasnt brilliant.

I agree the GTS sounds A LOT!! better in real life. The M2 is a little more aggressive in real life too however isn't far off the video.

Those saying the M2 sounds like an M135i obviously have not seen either car in real life! Nowhere near the same.

[hoyasaxa]

Originally Posted by Adem1534

Wow. M2 sounds great. M4 GTS sounds so hollow. Yuck.

The M4 GTS sounds like a rice rocket, and they really went to town with the artificial rasp/rattle

[Nine Lives]

I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if the M2 had the GTS's sound,far fruitier IMO but at the same time I'm not disappointed with the M2's sound either.

Also the more I'm seeing the LBB in 'real life conditions' the more I'm relieved I'm sticking with AW.

[swagon]

Originally Posted by IS3andME

Except that the S65 is not like other V8 powered cars. It doesn't sound like an American or even a Mercedes AMG V8. It doesn't sound like an Ferrari flat plane V8, and it doesn't sound like a Lexus IS-F/RC-F V8.

You can use all the words you want to describe the S55's sound. If you use the anology of chili, that is some pretty weak sauce chili.

And in a double blind taste test, which "chili" would you think that most people would find more thrilling to their palate, the M2 exhaust or the M4 GTS exhaust?

And no, not everybody likes vanilla, it's the default. If given the choice...

Of course the S65 sounds different to the cars you mentioned because all the engines have different configuration/design.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by IS3andME

Except that the S65 is not like other V8 powered cars. It doesn't sound like an American or even a Mercedes AMG V8. It doesn't sound like an Ferrari flat plane V8, and it doesn't sound like a Lexus IS-F/RC-F V8.

You can use all the words you want to describe the S55's sound. If you use the anology of chili, that is some pretty weak sauce chili.

And in a double blind taste test, which "chili" would you think that most people would find more thrilling to their palate, the M2 exhaust or the M4 GTS exhaust?

And no, not everybody likes vanilla, it's the default. If given the choice...

Really? The intake sound is more agressive due to the ITB's on the S65, but the exhaust sounds similar to a late model Corvette or Mustang Boss 302. At best it's just a slightly different variation of a cross plane crank V8. Well at least IMO

In the double blind test of chilli, the M2 wouldn't participate since I described the M2 as vanilla. I agree that not everyone likes vanilla but that it's the default and safe choice. Which is why I said that the M2 sound is the vanilla of exhaust sounds, the vast majority finds it pleasing and nice sounding. The safe choice. The S55 on the other hand has a love it or loathe it sound (as I said in my previous post as well). But at least it's distinctive. You won't have to guess which car just passed just by listening to it. You might not like it (and you won't be alone) but it's a harder, raspier and more metallic sound. It's just like the E46 M3 exhaust. To this day I still can't decide if I like it or hate it...

[Diver]

Lots of M2's for show, not many for customers...

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by IS3andME

Except that the S65 is not like other V8 powered cars. It doesn't sound like an American or even a Mercedes AMG V8. It doesn't sound like an Ferrari flat plane V8, and it doesn't sound like a Lexus IS-F/RC-F V8.

You can use all the words you want to describe the S55's sound. If you use the anology of chili, that is some pretty weak sauce chili.

And in a double blind taste test, which "chili" would you think that most people would find more thrilling to their palate, the M2 exhaust or the M4 GTS exhaust?

And no, not everybody likes vanilla, it's the default. If given the choice...

I agree that the S65 V8 does not sound like any of the aforementioned V8s but I must agree with the OP that the S55 may not sound the best according to your liking, it definitely does sound much more unique than the N55 in the M2. I could recognize the rasp, farts, and post 4500 RPM wail anywhere.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by swagon

Exactly! I 100% agree.

The biturbo N54 sounded very different to the single turbo N55, it had a more typical inline six sound. It's interesting.

On a different thread we discussed this phenomenon. I posted a few videos of N54's, with various exhaust systems, both stock and aftermarket. As well as E46 M3 videos.

I am pretty sure the answer is to be found in the configuration of the exhaust system.

N54/S55/S54B32:
These engines has a true dual pipe exhaust system all the way from the two exhaust manifolds and back. These engines all have two exhaust manifolds (one for cyl 1-3 and one for cyl 4-6) leading to separate exhaust pipes. There isn't a collector or single pipe collecting the exhaust from all cylinders into one. These engines don't mix the exhaust pulses from cyl 1-3 with cyl 4-6 until the rear muffler (if at all in some cases).

All of these engines has a related exhaust sound, slughtly different from other BMW I6 engines.

Some aftermarket exhaust systems for the N54 changes the dual system for a single pipe (there are also one aftermarket exhaust for the S55 that does the same). That alters the exhaust sound and makes both the N54 and S55 sound more like the N55.

N55:
Here there is only one exhaust manifold and a single turbo. Exhaust pulses from cyl 1-6 is mixed at the turbo inlet and the exhaust system after the turbo only has one runner.


This is where the N54, S54 and S55 is different from allmost all other BMW I6 engines and which I believe also is the reason these engines have a different exhaust sound than a N55 engined vehicle.

[BMWPWR]

Akrapovic will fill the void on the M2 I'm sure. Here's hoping for a full titanium system with down pipes

[King_Slayer]

Thanks for the pictures and videos!

I personally like both the GTS and M2 sounds. They are definitely different. Most people have different tastes in exhaust so lets not start comparing the 2. From the video I think the M2 exhaust sounds just about right from factory, not to loud and not to quiet. Not everybody buying the car wants it to be super loud out the box.

[Esteban]

To me, the M2 sounds a lot like my car, N55 135i with PE and PPK. I'm hoping the M Performance exhaust will make it stand out.

Also, as someone else said, I think the GTS sounds similar to the E46 M3. Not sure if I love it or hate it either. Think I love it.