My First S4 Mod - Page 2

JST · 07-30-2014, 09:52 AM

How you get to it in a Mk VI Golf, apparently.

robg · 07-30-2014, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bren

Hey lets add all this weight and insulation to make the car quiet, and then we can add a speaker and make lots of fake engine noises inside.

An engineer definitely came up with that one.

Think it has more to do with European noise regs, and Turbochargers (which tend to muffle the exhaust sound). And of course, adding more insulation to address customer complaints about road and wind noise. As an added bonus, it lets them offer different settings for different driving modes on the cheap.

I wonder if these devices will ever be used in electric cars? I do remember reading about one carmaker using a similar device on a hybrid to make the transition from electric to gas engine less jarring. Think it might be Ford- cant' remember.

As far as disabling it, doesn't the VAG-COM software let you do that? I know on BMWs, its easy to disable with the esys software. And VAG-COM seems to allow even more customizations. I'd try that before disconnecting something or pulling fuses.

For some reason, these devices don't bother me at all.

bren · 07-30-2014, 03:40 PM

Disconnecting doesn't require special cords and software - I'm missing how that's not the easier/preferred option to 'rooting' your car. heh

JST · 07-30-2014, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robg

Think it has more to do with European noise regs, and Turbochargers (which tend to muffle the exhaust sound). And of course, adding more insulation to address customer complaints about road and wind noise. As an added bonus, it lets them offer different settings for different driving modes on the cheap.

I wonder if these devices will ever be used in electric cars? I do remember reading about one carmaker using a similar device on a hybrid to make the transition from electric to gas engine less jarring. Think it might be Ford- cant' remember.

As far as disabling it, doesn't the VAG-COM software let you do that? I know on BMWs, its easy to disable with the esys software. And VAG-COM seems to allow even more customizations. I'd try that before disconnecting something or pulling fuses.

For some reason, these devices don't bother me at all.

At least on a Mk. VI, no one has figured out whether there is a VAG-COM code to disable it. There apparently is on the Mk. VII.

*clyde* · 07-30-2014, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robg

Think it has more to do with European noise regs, and Turbochargers (which tend to muffle the exhaust sound). And of course, adding more insulation to address customer complaints about road and wind noise. As an added bonus, it lets them offer different settings for different driving modes on the cheap.

I wonder if these devices will ever be used in electric cars? I do remember reading about one carmaker using a similar device on a hybrid to make the transition from electric to gas engine less jarring. Think it might be Ford- cant' remember.

As far as disabling it, doesn't the VAG-COM software let you do that? I know on BMWs, its easy to disable with the esys software. And VAG-COM seems to allow even more customizations. I'd try that before disconnecting something or pulling fuses.

For some reason, these devices don't bother me at all.

There have been calls for electric cars to have noisemakers as a pedestrian safety measure because, I guess, tires are silent.

I also think sound deadening is more to address tire and wind noise issues, but the "fix" bren described as coming from an engineer sure seems more marketing driven.

I'm not wild about the thing in the FoST or other cars, but I don't really care enough to care.

JST · 07-30-2014, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clyde

There have been calls for electric cars to have noisemakers as a pedestrian safety measure because, I guess, tires are silent.

I also think sound deadening is more to address tire and wind noise issues, but the "fix" bren described as coming from an engineer sure seems more marketing driven.

I'm not wild about the thing in the FoST or other cars, but I don't really care enough to care.

Electric cars are generally pretty silent below 20 mph or so. Above that and you can hear tire whoosh and wind noise almost as much as any other car. The noisemaker regs generally are aimed at these low speeds, which in fairness are most likely in big cities where people will be stepping off of sidewalks while looking at their iPhone.

Driving an electric car, it's just something you have to keep in mind and be careful about. I don't think there's any need for artificial noise.

bren · 07-30-2014, 06:27 PM

A lady in a Prius almost got me after she pulled out briskly from behind a full sized truck in the Home Depot lot.

nate · 08-05-2014, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JST

Maybe I will try pulling it this weekend and see how it sounds.

Did you?

I am so happy with this mod.

JST · 08-05-2014, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate

Did you?

I am so happy with this mod.

No, didn't have the chance. I had a few minutes to rotate my tires but didn't have a chance to pull the soundaktor.

JST · 08-10-2014, 08:55 AM

I disconnected the Soundaktor yesterday. Following the instructions in the video, it really didn't take more than 5 minutes, start to finish.

The difference is remarkable. It's funny, because the Golf R still isn't quiet by any stretch of the imagination, but the "natural" sound of the engine is a lot more pleasant than with the Soundaktor.

The Soundaktor induces vibrations that I think are supposed to give the car a deeper and throatier feel, but in reality that just make it seem like the NVH team quit before they were finished.

So, my vote? Do this mod. Car is more pleasant without the fake noise.

07-30-2014, 09:52 AM	#11
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,609	How you get to it in a Mk VI Golf, apparently.

07-30-2014, 03:40 PM	#13
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	Disconnecting doesn't require special cords and software - I'm missing how that's not the easier/preferred option to 'rooting' your car. heh

07-30-2014, 06:27 PM	#17
bren lawn boy Join Date: Oct 2003 Carmudgeonly Ride: e46m3, f25x3,C5 Z06, C4 Vette, 06 CTD Ram, and a trailer Location: Maryland Posts: 14,029	A lady in a Prius almost got me after she pulled out briskly from behind a full sized truck in the Home Depot lot.

08-10-2014, 08:55 AM	#20
JST 195 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 24,609	I disconnected the Soundaktor yesterday. Following the instructions in the video, it really didn't take more than 5 minutes, start to finish. The difference is remarkable. It's funny, because the Golf R still isn't quiet by any stretch of the imagination, but the "natural" sound of the engine is a lot more pleasant than with the Soundaktor. The Soundaktor induces vibrations that I think are supposed to give the car a deeper and throatier feel, but in reality that just make it seem like the NVH team quit before they were finished. So, my vote? Do this mod. Car is more pleasant without the fake noise.