Aka interior noise maker...

 

how does it sound?

 

I can't hear our S in any mode, I'd like to turn it up.

 

Unplug the fuse for the radio. That's what your car really sound like.
I personally hate the fake engine sound.
Some love it.

 

I wonder if you can just remove the connector from the noise generator? You may have to jumper the speaker wires since I bet they run through this unit. In other words connect the input speaker wire to the output of the same channel.

http://mini.sewellparts.com/images/oem/ETK/35550.jpg

 

...

 

Hell I wonder if mine works at all, one thing I hate is that the car is so quite. Wished mine had some noise when I shifted gears.

 

When you unplug the amp (HK) you realise that most of what you hear on both Sport and Normal is fake. Only you hear the pops etc because they do not really exist!

 

Motoringfile did a review of the sound maker a few months ago....said it was the same system as the beamers...and could be defeated by unplugging it simply or a fuse...pretty sure they has the info on how to do it.

 

If the car sounds so lousy that they felt the need to spend money to install the sound enhancer then wouldn't removing it result in a genuinely lousy sounding car? Wouldn't an artificial decent sound be better than a 100% real but crappy sound?

I question the statement about the burble and pops being generated via speakers. I've seen YouTube reviews where cameras outside the car picked up the burble and pop sounds.

I'm not saying the sound in the cabin isn't enhanced, it is but at least some of it is real.

Edit: I knew there were videos! Here's one:


That thing's burbling and popping for days! Pulling a fuse shouldn't change those noises!

 

Well, I'll tell my friend he was wrong or imagined he heard my car "pops" when standing on the street when I went by. Also, coming down my lane, right beside a solid fence/barrier, I can hear the sounds much louder than normal (due to "tunnel effect").


Amazing the things one learns on here...................

 

To Rich and Tuco ...Drive the car without the enhanced noise then post comments...... otherwise you are arguing for the sake of it ...
Can you hear the crackles and pops inside the car without the noisemaker on?
We are talking about what you hear on the inside not what a camera's mic aimed at the exhaust will hear....right?

 

You said the pops don't really exist. The video proves that they do. If you assert they are being amplified within the cabin, I agree they are. That's not what you said and I'd hate for someone to get the wrong idea.

I'm really not being argumentative. From your posts I gather you're not totally happy with your car and I feel bad about that. Waiting for months then having the car not live up to your expectations would stink. Maybe a different exhaust would help? That one with the internal flaps sure made the car sound a lot better. I can post that video if you'd like.

 

Not arguing, but stand by my comments. The sounds I hear, and my friend standing outside, are NOT coming from a speaker.


We understand you are not a happy owner.

 

The final product is what is sold....
Just like sausages....or any other item, food or otherwise....
You might not like all the bits that go in....
But you bought the product that came out......
Could be argued as long as it is seamless, it is like an added "spice"....
To deconstruct an item based on the ethics of auditory enhancement is kinda like telling a designer they are full of BS, and anybody walking in could do their job....
Judging by the article at motoringfile, the unit is easy to bypass...just pull the plug...
Does it make a mini less manly to have a less robust sound? BMW determined the pluses of the system were worth it....I bet to ensure a complete experience (in their view), they paid the $$ to devolpp and install the system....you can unplug it/disable it....but like leaving a spice out of recipe....it is nolonger the same product....

 

and it's no longer fake which some people dislike.

 

I guess that it did not come out right. I am of course talking about what you hear in the car. When you are inside without the amp turned on what you hear is a Honda Civic (maybe a slightly hot one!). The exhaust note is very quiet and there is no audible difference between the sport and mid mode. All the extra sound you hear in sport mode (from inside is fake). Even with the rear hatch open the exhaust note is the same IMO.
I have owned 4 Mini's - Learnt to drive on one too. I am not that disappointed in the car. It is just a car that is manufactured to make money (like any car)....but I am realistic about the issues I have... I am getting a new transmission in a couple of weeks...that does not make me unhappy with my purchase. What does is the fact that this car feels a bit "dumbed down"....but most of these things can be corrected. This is why I bring them up so that people that feel the same way can have a proper discussion on how to do that. Some people that "Love" this car perceive this as personal criticism of their person taste in cars. To me this is just another car...no more no less
Things I'm working on changing:
Front overhang - waiting a watching for an alternative.
Make the stereo switch off when the car is in reverse
Firmer suspension (hopefully keeping the DDC)
Rear sway bar
Ditch the noise maker
Better exhaust
Better intake
Tune
Get rid of the armrest (already done just need to cover the hole!)
Driving Lights - done
Ditch the run-flats - done (although the run-flats that came with the car were excellent)
Brakes - Waiting for a JCW option
That's it for now.
So if you figure out exactly where the noisemaker circuit board is kept please speak up! I hate anything fake!

 

No....I understand 100%.....
In the search to sell volume, the gen3 is so mainstream, some things are disturbing....
And the fact your list is so long....it is telling....shame...I keep on hopeing that the shape will grow on me...my r53 not gonna last forever....

 

The sound generator is pumping artificial engine noises inside the car. That is it's purpose. By definition it is coming through the speakers. Several manufactures are doing this too. It is meant to be subtle. I'm sure your friend outside the car is hearing noise from the engine and exhaust, but ask him how the stereo sounds from the outside of the car. I'm sure it sounds pretty different from what it sounds like inside the car.

You are essentially arguing that people should not mod their Mini's just be happy with what the engineer gave you. Mini is probably the most modded car on the planet. If he wants to bypass the sound generator then why not? More power to him. Doesn't mean he doesn't want the car, just that there are things he wants to change and I don't see why not. Change away. It is the Mini way.

 

I'm just curious, not trying to be a wise guy, but I'm wondering why your list doesn't include swapping the bonnet?

 

Too much money - also you know how fussy that bonnet is...putting on a new one will be a nightmare and it is not too visually disturbing to me......but you are right it is fake!

 

So this "sound generator" that plays fake exhaust sound throught the speakers is only operating when the stereo is on and you are presumably playing music? Does it get louder when you up the volume? If so that's weird IMO. And if it plays even with the stereo off that's even weirder. You shouldn't have to yank and fuse and rewire so get rid of that. You should be able to turn it off in settings. I'm glad mine doesn't have that.

 

Must have it's own amp as it plays ask the time. Also on the same fuse as the amp....so you can't just pull the fuse I believe.

 

This is the third thread you've started on the same topic (first and second). I guess you never located the sound module? Have you pulled the left rear panel for a better look? It's bothering you enough that you should do it.

 

Pulled the drivers rear panel. No obvious box or module. When you start a new tread someone's you get new people. Fresh ideas. That had happened in this tread. Sorry if my enthusiasm is bothering you.:-)