Just read on Motoring File that the new MINI S come with a noise enhancer. Not sure what to make of that. Opinions?

http://www.motoringfile.com/2014/03/...-engine-noise/

 

Interesting. Maybe that is in part why the MINI S in the video in another thread sounds so good. Nice to see, by the way, more and more BMW technology going into the MINI.

 

Like any thing fake I really dislike it. My previous car was a Scion FR-S and it had a growl tube. Removing it was the first thing I did. When I'm in the cabin of my car I appreciate peace and quiet. The quieter the hum the better.

 

I didn't like the idea of the growl tube in my FRS either and got a plug for the tube in the passenger area. But I ended up taking the plug out because it was too quiet. Go figure.

 

Interesting that in the JALOPNIK MINI road test, it says this about the S: "I do have to say that its sound isn't as interesting and compelling as the three."

 

The Enhanced Engine Noise only comes with the Driving Modes option ... maybe the Cooper S tested didn't have this option.

 

All F56's have this noise maker. I blocked mine off.

 

@GregoryK
Can you show us a pic of your F56 and where this noise maker is located at to be blocked.
What color you have?

 

I'm a little confused by the linked article. This sentence:
is followed immediately by this sentence:

Those are contradictory statements. Which is it?

 

Bubba...sorry meant r56. :~}.

 

@GregoryK
Yeah was wondering about that!
Also the wife's R56 S doesn't have one, so what did you block?

I did see this in the posted article:
The system works in every mode but is slightly more noticeable in Sport. And it’s probably worth noting that the system can be defeated by pulling a simple fuse.

 

Buuba. Pretty sure she does. Behind the air filter against the firewall.
http://www.defendersofspeed.com/r56-...-delete-black/
Makes quite a difference when you block it.

 

Well GregoryK, this is exactly why we come to these forums and read all day instead of mowing the grass!

Thanks huge, and it mean that with loads of due respect.
I would imagine that the average MINI owner has missed this.
First I have heard or seen this, and the option to plug it and assist with the loss of possible boost, that's even better!

Thanks once again.

P.S. Please note this is on cars with the N14 engine. But great info none the less.

 

Bubba. Seems to me that the F56 is more the car I wanted in the first place. I had a first generation mini cooper then ordered and R56 without doing any research. I hated the silver/black patterned interior and the road noise. Did a "Dynoc" carbon fibre wrap of the interior trim and gutted the entire interior and did a complete sound proofing (including the doors). this made my mini very quiet and I was always asked questions by my dealership. I also heavily updated the base stereo (with a-pillar speakers and extra amps etc). The noisemaker delete was a small part of this exercise. The result being my cooper s with lots of JCW accessories is very fast and extremely quiet. It's a 2010 by the way.
Greg

 

Hmmm. Interesting. I'll have to decide whether or not I want to block this after I've driven my own MCS. Maybe I'll like it.

 

I too like the noise to be on the outside and quiet on the inside. I took high density foam and packed it in very tight inside the tube to firewall. It looks OEM and it works with no issues.

 

I have a base '13 Hardtop. I've checked behind the air filter going into the firewall and I don't see it. If there is one there I would be very anxious to close it off.

Would someone please post pictures or illustrations showing where it is? Thanks.

 

When you say 'base' do you mean a Justa? Non-S model?

 

Hey, I finally found out what Justa means. Yeah, mine is a non-S.

 

Ok, I'm not well versed in the Justa vehicles, but my guess is the noise maker is not on your vehicle. On the S engine the noise maker is a part of the cold side tube from the intercooler to the throttle body. My assumption is since the Justa's do not have this tube they also do not have the noise maker. But, again, this is just an assumption.

 

I have been on this forum since 2007 and never heard about this noisemaker thing. I realize I don't have that engine though.

 

Looking at your signature, it would appear that you should have it. N14 turbo charged engines have this.

 

I drove my '14 MINI S Hardtop late Thursday afternoon in both the normal and sport modes. I didn't notice any real difference between the two modes. I don't think this feature is going to be all that noticeable to most. I will, of course, play around with it more after I take delivery on the 15th.

 

I"m guessing yours is manual? I'd think the people that will really notice a difference will be the auto's since the shift points are changed. (Of course I've never driven one so....)

 

Yes, it is a manual. That could be true of the automatic.