[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

The problem is only linked to the UV filtering, not the acoustic glass.

My colleague has the problem with his VW with UV reflecting glass. The RF transponder for the company gate will not work and open the gate because the windscreen is metalized. He has to lower the .windows and reach out of the car with the transponder.

Yes, that would all make sense. I did not know if BMW also combined increased UV filtration with acoustic glass as Porsche does but thought it possible from their outsourced suppliers.

[Ravenous666]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Yes, that would all make sense. I did not know if BMW also combined increased UV filtration with acoustic glass as Porsche does but thought it possible from their outsourced suppliers.

No, the BMW windshield is quite standard and there is no problem with RF transponders and mobile phone reception due to the glass.

[DeanWChi]

One downside (for the occupants at least) of acoustic glass is that it's hard to break. So, in the unfortunate situation where you need to get out through the windows, one of those safety window hammers is not going to work.

[avi66]

In a resent review there was a comment about wind noise at high Autobahn speeds and also regular highway speed.

Unfortunately, Wind noise obviously increases cabin noise, and is something acoustic glass can help reduce.

Probably matters less in the US market as acoustic front glass was never a standard feature on the previous X3 unlike other markets.

[Ravenous666]

The comment was made by the reviewer at 155mph top speed.

And without comparable measurements also at usual highway speed it's highly subjective and not a proof of anything. If you look at other reviews they state the cabin noise level is comparable. So who's right?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

The comment was made by the reviewer at 155mph top speed.

And without comparable measurements also at usual highway speed it's highly subjective and not a proof of anything. If you look at other reviews they state the cabin noise level is comparable. So who's right?

Listen or read what was said. The wind noise also applies at regular highway speeds in the Netherlands, which isn’t at 155mph. The transcript is above.

“Also we have quite a bit of wind noise here not just on the autobahn but also on the regular highways in the Netherlands”

The only measurement I’ve seen indicated the M50 cabin noise level was higher than an LCI M40 (MY 23 US spec without front acoustic glass), which was surprising given improved aero, non RFT, bonded sunroof, and BMW marketing stuff claiming acoustic glass. Possibly due to cost cutting in sound deadening ?

There is just so much visible cost cutting, it makes me wonder about the bits we can’t see.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

Listen or read what was said. The wind noise also applies at regular highway speeds in the Netherlands, which isn’t at 155mph. The transcript is above.

“Also we have quite a bit of wind noise here not just on the autobahn but also on the regular highways in the Netherlands”

The only measurement I’ve seen indicated the M50 cabin noise level was higher than an LCI M40 (MY 23 US spec without front acoustic glass), which was surprising given improved aero, non RFT, bonded sunroof, and BMW marketing stuff claiming acoustic glass. Possibly due to cost cutting in sound deadening ?

There is just so much visible cost cutting, it makes me wonder about the bits we can’t see.

Here's an updated list from the same site (Car Confections):

https://carconfections.com/luxury-co...evel-readings/

Check out the rating on the 25 X3 30! Did they use even cheaper glass than the G01 non-acoustic?!!!

[Ravenous666]

X3 G45 owners from Germany confirmed the car is at the same noise level as the previous G01 with acousric glass.

Also the side window glass on his G45 is thicker than the G01 acoustic glass and even thicker than the current Audi A6 acoustic glass and the noise level is subjectivly the same.

So obviously what BMW has done on the G45 works well.

The noise level difference between M40i and M50 in the stated table are within the tollerance when cars are having different interior surfaces, engines, drive modes, AC settings and tires. Also they are measuring with a cheap uncalibrated meter holding it in the hand at an unspecific undefined point . They are wearing different clothes in the different videos. Whole measurements are just giving an idea of the sound level, but not a accurate value.

And what is the proof of this table to the discussion when there is no measurement on a X3 WITH acoustic glass?

If it's so importand to you, why didn't you provide the sound levels of your car with the acoustic glass?

I don't know why you are constantly bragging against BMW and the new G45 when you would never buy one anyway? Dude, what's wrong with you? It seems you are only searching for the negative stuff within the reviews ignoring that most of the reviewers are totally fine with the car and praise what realy matters on a car: drivetrain, steering, suspension and brakes.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

Here's an updated list from the same site (Car Confections):

https://carconfections.com/luxury-co...evel-readings/

Check out the rating on the 25 X3 30! Did they use even cheaper glass than the G01 non-acoustic?!!!

Thank you for the updated info.

As I posted earlier, the surprise is the G45 M50 is now fitted with non run flat tyres, bonded sunroof glass, “acoustic glazing (according to BMW), improved aerodynamic etc, which should help reduce cabin noise levels relative to previous US spec M40 model without those things.

It’s hard to trust BMW marketing blurb these days, hence I’m just trying to understand what we are actually getting.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by Ravenous666

X3 G45 owners from Germany confirmed the car is at the same noise level as the previous G01 with acousric glass.

Also the side window glass on his G45 is thicker than the G01 acoustic glass and even thicker than the current Audi A6 acoustic glass and the noise level is subjectivly the same.

So obviously what BMW has done on the G45 works well.

The noise level difference between M40i and M50 in the stated table are within the tollerance when cars are having different interior surfaces, engines, drive modes, AC settings and tires. Also they are measuring with a cheap uncalibrated meter holding it in the hand at an unspecific undefined point . They are wearing different clothes in the different videos. Whole measurements are just giving an idea of the sound level, but not a accurate value.

And what is the proof of this table to the discussion when there is no measurement on a X3 WITH acoustic glass?

If it's so importand to you, why didn't you provide the sound levels of your car with the acoustic glass?

I don't know why you are constantly bragging against BMW and the new G45 when you would never buy one anyway? Dude, what's wrong with you? It seems you are only searching for the negative stuff within the reviews ignoring that most of the reviewers are totally fine with the car and praise what realy matters on a car: drivetrain, steering, suspension and brakes.

It’s a forum, and it’s good to understand the warts and all about any car, and have an open discussion. Different things matter to different people.

Given we know BMW is cost cutting, I want to understand what may be affected.

[ModernAngel]

Who out there can honestly say their ears can detect the .7 db difference between the 53.2 db reading the '23 X3 M40i gets vs. the '25 X3 M50's 53.9 db reading.

C'mon.

[Ravenous666]

Originally Posted by ModernAngel

Who out there can honestly say their ears can detect the .7 db difference between the 53.2 db reading the '23 X3 M40i gets vs. the '25 X3 M50's 53.9 db reading.

C'mon.

Exactly. Especially when the measurement conditions are highly doubtfull.

Just look at the screenshots of the respective videos.

X3 M50 on a interstate with other cars taking over and besides a concrete wall on the right and a concrete divider on the left.

X3 M40i on a normal road with grass and trees on both sides with no other cars directly besides them.

Also the microphone is in completely different positions and angles.

From my own experience with sound level measurement these changes allone can result in variance of a few dBs.

[Stockwell]

I can said G45 is quieter than G01.

I own a G01 X3 30i for 4 years and in winter, it wear Michelin PA5 Runflat, I also fit my G45 X3 M50 with Michelin PA5 Runflat (same size as G01)... On the same hwy ride for the last few week with speed around 120-130km, both myself and my wife can said G45 cabin noise is lower!

I don't have the sound meter, but I am sensitive to noise as most of my trip i listen to classical music.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by ModernAngel

Who out there can honestly say their ears can detect the .7 db difference between the 53.2 db reading the '23 X3 M40i gets vs. the '25 X3 M50's 53.9 db reading.

C'mon.

It’s not really the minor difference, but why when the G45 has numerous noise reducing changes, including acoustic glazing, is there not a more noticeable difference to the old design that had noisy RFT tyres, and no acoustic glazing ?

I would expect there to be a much more noticeable difference in the US market given acoustic glass wasn’t fitted as standard before.

[EWL5]

Originally Posted by avi66

It’s not really the minor difference, but why when the G45 has numerous noise reducing changes, including acoustic glazing, is there not a more noticeable difference to the old design that had noisy RFT tyres, and no acoustic glazing ?

I would expect there to be a much more noticeable difference in the US market given acoustic glass wasn’t fitted as standard before.

I had a similar takeaway when reading the list.

At best, the dB reading are the same and the difference is not meaningful. That also means the non-acoustic glass in US versions of the G01 appears to be repeated on the G45 as I don't see how acoustic glass would make no difference.
Compare to the X7, which does have acoustic glass in the US and the trend is logical:
https://carconfections.com/luxury-fu...evel-readings/

Did Canadians get acoustic glass on the G01?

[avi66]

Originally Posted by EWL5

I had a similar takeaway when reading the list.

At best, the dB reading are the same and the difference is not meaningful. That also means the non-acoustic glass in US versions of the G01 appears to be repeated on the G45 as I don't see how acoustic glass would make no difference.
Compare to the X7, which does have acoustic glass in the US and the trend is logical:
https://carconfections.com/luxury-fu...evel-readings/

Did Canadians get acoustic glass on the G01?

Yup, it’s the relative difference, or not, that’s interesting. 🤔

I don’t know about Canada, but it should be easy to tell if front acoustic side glass is fitted using the VIN to check for option code 3KA.

[Montaver]

Acoustic glass can block different frequencies that just having slightly thicker glass cannot. Not sure I am buying the glass is thicker being of much real benefit, if it was all the manufacturers would be doing it to save money. Even less premium priced cars from Mazda for example come with acoustic glass. BMW as a brand produce some great luxury cars that do have acoustic glass in the US (X7, 5 series), but outside of the drivetrain I would struggle to describe the new X3 as luxury.