dlitton@yahoo.com

Have the option to buy a car that is 1000 miles away and have it shipped to me. Little nervous about buying a car without actually driving it first. The dealer sent me a bunch of pics and videos. The video of the exhaust seems like there is too much white smoke. Not just a cold start.

Can I get opinions if this seems normal to you? Is it because it has been sitting too long without being started? Only has 17 miles on it... Sorry if this seems like a stupid question...


Thanks Everyone!
DSL

redrocker55

Not a stupid question at all. Was it cold out that morning? Looking at the ground it looked cold and damp and that could lead to some additional smoke/steam coming out of the exhaust. At 17 miles I would not worry about it.

These engines are pretty much bullet-proof and if anything is wrong from the factory on a 17 mile car they will surely take care of it.

I wouldn't worry be to concerned about the smoke. Those are big pipes with 450 HP engine (under rated) so it will blow quite a bit of smoke when the weather conditions are most conducive to this.

That exhaust does sound great in that video and I will tell you that is one of the more accurate sounding videos I have heard. The first start up in the morning is music to my ears...I know our cars have a soundaktor but there is a true rumble with nice pops coming out of that sport exhaust. Love that color also!

Glisse

That's steam, you can see how quickly it dissipates. Smoke doesn't do that.

Agree on sports exhaust sound - who needs a test drive after hearing that

MikeS6

Redrocker55, can I ask what is a soundaktor? As I'm typing this I guess I could just google it, but what is your knowledge / opinion.


P.s. after googleing it, do these cars have one of those?, I thought they did not use any sort of "fake" engine tech (unlike the BMW's channel sound through the audio system, etc.)

gk1

Sound Actuator System
The sound actuator system consists of the Structure
Borne Sound Control Module and Structure
Borne Sound Actuator . Various sound files are
stored that are played as a function of vehicle
and operating data (load, engine speed, vehicle
speed) and forwarded to the actuator.
The actuator generates the structure-borne sound.
The sound is then introduced via the body and the
windshield to the vehicle interior. The actuator is
installed using a special bracket on the left at the base
of the windshield. The bracket is the “tuning fork” of
the system.
Different vehicles and engines require different
excitation for a balanced engine sound. Information
about the engine installed and the body are
communicated on the CAN bus and are evaluated.
The module recognizes independently in which vehicle it
is installed. The driver can select different sound
settings through the MMI.

Return For Deposit

No worries...that engine moves a ton of air thru it. Water is a byproduct of combustion so the steam coming out is Perfectly normal on a cool damp day when cold. Sounds amazing. I'm jealous

RobC

Here's the actual snippet from the PDF that gk1 quoted:

MikeS6

I can't find any evidence that the 2016 S6 has the soundaktor, Nothing lists in the manual, or on the sticker or brochure. I've also tried to feel/listen for it. There's nothing in the MMI for adjusting "the sound settings" either. I see no breaker/fuse marked for it.

gk1

If you go into drive select settings you don't have a setting for "engine sound"?

MikeS6

I do have that, but I always thought that controlled the exhaust note. lol... some forums are saying there's a speaker mounted under the car.