Was thinking of doing a sound deadening overhaul

dashmoopies · Jul 29, 2017

Hi guys! I was looking into buying a ton of sound deadening and making the ride as silent as possible from the inside while driving. My goal is to make my 325Ci an even better highway cruiser and match the level of sound deadening of the nicer E39 5-series.

I found something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Noico-deaden...UIKAK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1501286835&sr=8-1&keywords=dynamat+sound+deadening

and I think it will work great for what I want if I make a few orders of it.

Door panels are an obvious and easy one. My question is, is it worth it to pull the floor carpet up and install a TON of sound deadening? I read online a lot about cutting and removing dashboards and center consoles, and getting the heater core out so the carpet can be removed. If I am only doing this to get the carpet up, some deadening installed, and put back down, do I really have to remove it entirely or can I leave it attached at the center still?

Also anyone who has used something like that on Amazon, does it work and does it make a big difference? Even just on door panels I would love to know if it makes a difference.

Solidjake · Jul 29, 2017

I know a lot of people get Dynamat albiet it is pricier than the amazon solution. Remember that adding a lot of this will add weight to the car.

lingon300k · Jul 29, 2017

It's definitely doable. A lot of work, but worth it if you don't care about the added weight.

Take a look at this: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ccess-cab-audio-install-sound-deadening-custom-doors-deck-amp-completed.357534/

dashmoopies · Jul 30, 2017

Would it actually be a lot of weight? I know the deadening stuff is metal but it's pretty thin foil. I doubt it would be noticeable for just an everyday car.

illuminated · Jul 29, 2017

Subbed to hear (drum fill) your post-install thoughts. Have been considering SD on the e36.

dashmoopies · Aug 2, 2017

Here is a small update with some pictures. Finished the driver door in a few hours and had to call it good for the day!

https://i.imgur.com/qM1tLQG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/KP0eMwG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Qcor9Aq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DZfTrim.jpg

That last one was about 95% of what I before I put the panel back on.
Up next is to do the passenger door and the two rear panels on the passenger and driver side. Then just the scary part of pulling up the carpet!

nebula · Aug 2, 2017

Looks similar to what bavsound recommends:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6ZPCCH_X3M

Simmsled · Aug 2, 2017

You may have better luck with getting tires designed to be quiet, than putting a bunch of sound deadening material in the car.
I designed and built audio systems for cars competing in IASCA sound competitions many many years ago, and if the overall goal is to reduce road noise... start with low rolling resistance/quiet tires.
The E46 has considerable road noise abatement already, but damping the doors does help.

Mango · Aug 2, 2017

It won't do much. The E46 already has sound deadening from the factory in strategic locations BMW determined mattered. Likely using super computers and tons of secret data. The body rigidity is the main one, second is the thick carpeting, third is the strategically placed permanent mats (forgot the name) glued larger open sheet metal areas. Manufacturers know exactly where to place it and how much. For example my Lexus has strategic squares (maybe 6x6") on open areas of the exterior door sheet metal. This isn't so much as to block sound, but to prevent the sheet metal from resonating/vibrating. The entire panel doesn't need covering. Just an area in the middle. The doors already are soundproofed by way of the interior door panels. Same as any car.

so you're adding a bunch of weight for negligible (if any) gains. The cost (being weight/money)/benefit ratio isn't there.

Best bet is to get new tires and clean/condition/replace all seals -- entry points of wind/sound.

If your car is still loud for your tastes, that's just the way it is. Inherent quietness is something baked into the chassis design/rigidity mostly. Not much you can do by adding sh1t.

Was thinking of doing a sound deadening overhaul

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities