A few of us have been batting back and forth over the merits of engine and exhaust notes and I wondered if it really mattered to most people. I might add a poll if it does.

 

Now that even Porsche are dropping the wonderful 6 cylinder engines from it's 718 series and replacing them with flat 4's, it makes me sad that the chance of ever being able to afford a new multi cylinder engined car (ie more than 4) with the complex sound it brings, is slipping from my grasp. BMW's new 330i is a 4 cylinder as is the new MB C300, even though this is a clever engine hybrid package, it would have been a 6 cylinder engine a few years ago. The V6 diesel appears to have gone from the new C class too :(

 

Now the new Porsche 718 does sound nice, but its not the same

 

Porsche engine noise comparison

 

My next car will probably be a 4 cylinder one and I think that's sad in a way. Anyone else care a hoot or two?

 

This isn't a thread for the discussion of the merits or not, of piped noise into the cabin.

 

 

 

Multi answerable POLL Added

Edited 22 February, 201610 yr by Lady Elanore

To people like you and me I think it matters a lot. The 6 cylinder Porsche sounds much more melodious to me.

And the song a a V8 is a glorious thing!

Funnily enough I was trying to think what the 719 sounded like in the clip above and I think it might be an AMG V8, the current turbo one. It has that deep thrummy sound, not quite like the lovely big American V8s.But with packaging and weight concerns, to say nothing of emissions and economy, I think we are all doomed :( At least if we want to buy new cars that sound great and can't afford a premium model :(

 

You're keeping the faith alive Rob

This was me pressing the throttle.

 

I should add there are great 4 cylinder engines out there. The Subarus are unmistakable and the Honda S20000 can raise hairs on a hirsute man's nape.

This was me pressing the throttle.

 

Well perhaps the Porsche only sounds a teeny little bit like that

Btw Rob, did you get to drive the AMG?

Btw Rob, did you get to drive the AMG?

 

Unfortunately not! But I got a good ride in it through some twisty roads. It sounded amazing with a fantastic crackle and pop on overrun.

Unfortunately not! But I got a good ride in it through some twisty roads. It sounded amazing with a fantastic crackle and pop on overrun.

Does it handle or is it a big brute sledgehammer sort of thing. Or even both

John hasn't published his review yet. But from the passenger seat it seemed pretty decent.

I would like one, although I'd like the last of the 6.2s if possible

To answer the original question, yes it does matter to me.  There are two elements that come into play that can affect the experience for me - engine noise and exhaust note.  There are quite a lot of potentially interesting engines out there that are strangled by catalytic converters and silencers in order to comply with various regulations. 

 

On a daily basis I drive a V6.  I enjoy every journey and for the most part potter around very sedately knowing full well that most other people are spending a hell of a lot less on running their cars but experiencing relatively nothing.  They might take satisfaction from the knowledge that they have an indicated 48.7mpg but to me that's an sign that I've given up on the eight year old me who loved all things automotive.  He'd be very disappointed in me if I went all Eco without exploring every other possibility first.  He didn't sit through endless hours of The Dukes of Hazzard, the RAC Lombard Rally and films like Bullitt for me to go and buy a sound free, inertia free and emotionally devoid eco box.

 

Our other car is totally the opposite to the V6 and loves to rev, and indeed needs to be thrashed to get the best out of it.  We recently had a custom made cat back system made for the Ignis and it's really transformed the driving experience. 

 

I may be in the minority with these views but I'm determined to enjoy my driving for as long as I can. 

 

Also, anyone who fails to be moved by clips such as these won't get where I'm coming from.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inTXkTWPTIk

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmb_HtUILHA

Edited 18 February, 201610 yr by skinnyman

In an everyday car a nice noise is an extra. I remember being a bit disappointed with the VRS. The engine note of the TFSI was, well, crap.

 

I also lament this move to 4 pots with turbos. And I'm determined at some point to get soemthing with and engine with a V and a number more than 4.

 

The engine notes that get me are big american 60s and 70s V8s, like the Charger with a 7l block that sounded like someone hammering rocks. I grew up watching Dukes of Hazzard and Cannonball Run so those engines are ingrained into me. Also the flat 12 in the Ferrai 512bb.

 

Straight 4s rarely sound interesting. Bikes can get it right. even my old Kawasaki 400 with it's little 4 pot could make a helluva scream at 15k rpm. But it was older and the noise limits on the exhust were much laxer. My 400 was louder than most modern 1000cc bikes.

The noise of a car is super important to me.

 

One of the first mods I made to my old VRS was whipping out one of the resonators to create a harsher more aggressive sound. I have to admit, it didn't sound bad for a 1.4 4 pot.

 

The 2.0 BMW Derv I have sounds terrible, it's in perfect working condition (I think), I just don't think common rail, chain controlled engines sound good, especially the BMW N47. The 1.9 PD engine in my MK1 VRS sounded ok to me, but that had no common rail fuelling or chain.

 

Being a youngish chap growing up on playing driving games on the PlayStation, I'm all for smaller capacity engines with sound generators to make it sound like something it isn't. I guess it's just the way the motoring industry is going, with small capacity, forced induction, hybrid engines. I'm going to embrace it as it's not going to change. I guess its why i'm desperate to get a 135i and have a last hurrah with an engine with more than 4 cylinders.

 

As long as the power is there, I can live with a dreary sound from the exhaust. But not a dreary sound from inside the cabin.

I'm guessing Skinnyman and myself might be a similar age as I agree a lot with him (I had a mild crush on William Wooolard at the RAC Rally - I think it was his sideburns). When I was young, having a twin cam was something a little bit special, but as you could get a V6 (Capri) for not too silly money, it was definitely on my horizon to get something just that bit more unusual As it happened I found turbos and 16 valve cars first, but I'm glad I eventually got to the V6s and Straight 6 engines before it's too late for me. I do remember when the catalysts came in and ruined the exhaust note of cars (I had a first generation Clio 16v when 'Cats' came out) and it seems to have taken years to get a pleasant note back.

It matters a whole lot to me.

 

There is a saying that "Children should be seen and not heard". To my mind the ideal car engine would be neither seen or heard - bring on the VolksTesla!

 To my mind the ideal car engine would be neither seen or heard

 

 

I'm guessing a Ferrari is off the cards if you win the lottery then :(

It matters agreat deal to me.

I've had many BMW 6's over the years and all sounded lovely.

Especially an old E30 325i I had which had a lovely burbly exhaust and lovely rasp at the top end.(K&N replacement filter cone.)

An E30 318 cabriolet we had for a while was the exact opposite. Sounded dull..was dull to drive.

I have a mark 2 Jaguar 3.4 in the garage,and I start it up just so I can blip the throttle.

Luvverly.... :p

Sound is very important to me. Got the 1.9PD for a daily, and for my "noise and fun" car I have a capri. It had the 2litre 4cyl with a twinbox rear system which was nice, but now economy isnt a factor I shall be using this................... (get that volume up first! )

it seems to me that the boffins at the manufacturers have found a formulae to make exhaust sound more 'engaging' again, but they don't seem to have managed to do the same trick with engines (well not ones I can afford). I guess few of us will ever hear the wonderful noise of a set of big carbs sucking air through a bespoke filter again and that 'certain' mechanical noise that older engines produced when driven hard. Oh for the days of sneezing carbs (the speciality of my 130TC ) although there is something to be said to jumping into a modern car which has stood in pouring rain for several days and it start first time

You could always go and buy a Clio Amanda, and know that it says 1.2 on the back, but having opted for the sound generator, have a 3.0 V6 coming out of the speakers. I borrowed one from Renault, and it was very effective.  Not sure how long it would be before I changed it to something less engaging, but top marks to them for novelty value.

You could always go and buy a Clio Amanda, and know that it says 1.2 on the back, but having opted for the sound generator, have a 3.0 V6 coming out of the speakers. I borrowed one from Renault, and it was very effective.  Not sure how long it would be before I changed it to something less engaging, but top marks to them for novelty value.

 

Or go and buy a Clio with a 3.0 V6 and listen to the sound of hedgerows smashing through the rear hatch of the car

Sound is a factor for me with cars, I like my friends Capri, 3.5 Rover V8 with Cherry Bomb Exhaust...

 

But in my daily I appreciate the sound of the Straight Six diesel, it just sounds reliable and well built. 

 

On the other end of the the scale I like my wifes little 1.2 Polo 3 cylinder's and loves to be driven hard.

I quite like 3 cylinder cars noise. It's interesting

I honestly miss the sound of my old 1.6 primera when driven hard.

 

Unfortunately price is the major factor now and I can't afford a second car. Just living with the 1.9tdi for now.