Quick one… I took delivery of my F56 yesterday and I'm loving it so far.

However I've noticed a [very cool] feature of the car that I haven't read about anywhere, or heard mentioned at all?

When you are in Sport mode and giving the car some beans, you can really hear the turbo whistling / sucking in the air and then chattering / fluttering as you come off the throttle.

Its actually only really loud / obvious with the windows wound down.

I love it, but I thought I would post to make sure I'm not alone here and in fact I actually have something amiss?

 

Nope, nothing is amiss, the car is designed to also beef up the engine note when in sport mode the car also has a passive system to help enhance these sounds interior to the cabin in S models which you can read about here: http://www.motoringfile.com/2014/03/...-engine-noise/

 

Yeh I know about the sound generator that comes through the speakers, I have mixed feelings

This noise doesn't sound artificial though (which is a good thing!) - its much louder with the windows down and even in mid mode its still really obvious

 

I think they sound great and personally am not bothered by the generator (which is also in many other autos). IMO it doesn't matter how the magic works as long as it does. And like you said, nothing about it sounds artificial. If it did that would be a problem.

Also on a side note, the system in the Mini does not come through the stereo speakers, it has a dedicated speaker in the rear driver side for it's function.

 

I heard a noise that sounded like a whine. Couldn't figure out what it was but considered the sound generator. The wife has commandeered the car so I can't verify it happened in sport mode.

 

I honestly don't think the noise I'm talking about it artificial - its the turbo, no? As I say, its louder with the window down - so I can't see how it could be the active sound generator?

I know that when the windows are up and I'm going some in the car it does have a nice engine note (which I think will be some of the sound generator?)

The exhaust also pops and bangs like a good'un too - as I found today driving through town with lots of high walls to bounce the sound back!

 

Sounds like compressor surge to me, which shouldn't be happening. That's what diverter/blow off valves are designed to prevent. Maybe the twin scrolls don't have a DV, or maybe that is how the new valves sound...

Does it sound similar to this video?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZUbo_mNDZM#t=14

 

Yeh it sounds similar - but no way near as loud as that!

Like a suction of air / induction sound when on the throttle & then a flutter / chirp when you come off the pedal.

It's not *that* noticeable at all in the car, but with the window down & the car in sport it sounds lovely.

I'm guessing it's a feature of the new 2.0 engine?

 

Ya that car has an open filter so yours wouldn't be as loud. Honestly if it is surging I would be worried. Excessive surging will kill a turbo. Now if everyone's F56 makes a similar noise I wouldn't worry too much, it could just be how that cars diverter valve sounds...

 

I've heard the same turbo whine when running with the sunroof open. The sound reflects off of the trees as I travel down a narrow two lane road on the way home.

 

The noise is there in 'mid' mode but its much more noticeable in 'sport'.

Its like a whistle / suction / induction noise as your put your foot down and then a tshhhh / chirping noise as you come off the loud pedal.

All seems OK, but I am worried that people seem to be suggesting it may not be?

 

Don't worry. My 2010 R56 did the same thing. Only noticed if the windows were down and the radio was off. Turbos are not dead silent.

 

I owned a Ford Powerstroke diesel 3/4 ton truck that had the turbo whistle and my current gas Ford F150 EcoBoost 3.5 liter has the noticable turbo whistle. The F56 "whistles" alot more than the 1.6 in the '14 Coupe. I like it, it's cool!

 

Whistle, suction, howl, ect. are all normal of a turbo car. However chirping or chattering is not. If it is similar to that video then you are experiencing compressor surge, which will kill the turbo. I know this from first hand experience. If you here just one "tshhhh" sound that is normal, but you should not here multiple.

 

I haven't heard any chirp or chatter at WOT in Sport mode.

 

I've tried to make a video of the noise, however I can't get one of the engine under load as all I get is wind noise, so this is just revving the engine in neutral - with sport mode engaged (the engine was fully warmed up here, after a 40 min drive)

However its this noise when you come off the throttle and a loud 'induction' noise when using WOT as the turbo sucks in air.

Followed by the dump of the air as heard in the video.

Very addictive sound, but its strange that others are not reporting hearing this noise?

 

It's the blowoff valve releasing pressure as you let off the throttle. Very normal and very necessary for turbo vehicles.

And yes it's a sweet and addicting sound.

 

This...and almost as addicting as increasing the boost in a turbo car

 

Wait just a fine minute right there. The F56 has a BLOWOFF VALVE?! Not a recirc valve? Are you sure?!?! Very NOT BMW-ish at all. That is totally great if there is a true BV on the new cars!

 

Misworded... Doesn't contain a blowoff valve but the noise if very familiar to one.
When you let off the throttle you hear a pretty obvious pressure release noise..

 

The pressure release noise on the R56 is almost silent though compared to the F56 - hence my concerns!

I really can't describe the noise properly to be honest but with the window down and in sport all I can really hear is the turbo sucking in air and then dumping it as I come off the throttle!

Followed by some nice pops and bangs from the exhaust.

With all the mention of compressor surge etc though I think I may swing by the dealers and ask them to take a look / have a listen!

 

I took a video of the sound:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m-XgWtxYMc

So Yes, i didn't want to believe my F56 flutters, but it does...

 

Does anyone think the 3 cylinder sounds a bit like a diesel at idle and low RPM?

 

All direct injection motors sound like diesels. Our N54 and N55 both clatter at idle.

 

Not all. My wife's Lexus IS 250 is nearly silent.