Questions for V6/V6S owners with Switchable Active Exhaust.

After extensive searching, I've found a car with my desired build, but it does not have the switchable exhaust option.

1. Is this a "must have" option? I loved it on the demo car.

2. How often do you use it once the initial weeks of ownership have passed? Often / occasionally / never?

Trying to decide to go with a car on the lot that is otherwise perfect, or to custom order and wait 2 months.

Appreciate any feedback, pulling the trigger one way or the other this weekend.

Cheers!
John

 

Note that there's Active Exhaust, and Switchable Active Exhaust. My car (2014 V6S) had active exhaust, but not switchable. So it only kicks in under heavy acceleration. Fine most of the time, but switchable would be fun occasionally. For example, if I rev it in park, that's not enough to engage active exhaust, so I don't get much in the way of fun sounds, since I can't manually switch it on.


Those of us with active exhaust, love it. I guess the advantage is that it can be quieter - apparently, the base without active exhaust is loud all the time (if I represent Foosh correctly.)

 

Ah I see. Referring to the "switchable" version. I've clarified the original post.

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...xhaust-111745/

It's a redundant feature. When you switch to dynamic mode, active exhaust activates. As far as I know the only advantage of active is that you can open the baffles in non-dynamic mode.

Why would this be important? Use the Dynamic switch as your Active switch. If your dead set against the other modes that get activated in Dynamic, you can even modify what happens in Dynamic in the My settings.

To answer your question, get the best deal car regardless of this feature. For me, only an option like Pano roof or vision pack truthfully would be option deal breakers. Most option differences you'll come to see between cars are mostly minor things like - red seat belts, wheel locks, black package, active exhaust, and auto hatch opener. You can live with or without these or in some cases you can fix after the fact (black pack, wheel locks for instance).

 

There is some misinformation in this post. In base cars or cars without the switch, there are no valves to be closed. The exhaust is open all the time.

Think of the feature more as the ability to quiet the thing down, and I do appreciate it on road trips where less cabin noise is desirable.

 

You know, a Jag salesman told me this very thing. I had completely dismissed his words and you are right.

I own a R and I am only speaking from a R perspective.

In that case, personally I would say, since I drive in dynamic mode all the time just to hear the exhaust, the very same answer.

An interesting thing about the exhaust note in dynamic mode you need to know is that its easy to keep it subdued in daily driving. You really have to work the gas pedal and tach to make her sing. It won't ever be a bother in terms of unwanted noise unless you force the issue. You didn't mention whether the cars are auto or manual but I'll assume auto because you probably would have said manual. If you drive in auto mode and not smart mode, you'll be very happy having the active exhaust defaulted on.

 

on my test drive on the motorway I found the active exhaust a little droney (obviously not so when you're playing) - so just switched it off
to me thats an important option

 

Speaking, eh...writing as a 2015 V6S owner, I engage the sports exhaust system 95% of the time and relish it. Curiously, perhaps, that other 5% I actually enjoy the sounds coming from the exhaust, even as a "change of pace", not that my pace changes all that frequently. I agree that there are more important factors determining which is your best option (pun intended) but having options for your "external sound system" is a nice feature. Put that one in the check column and lots of luck. Regardless of what you end up with, chances are you're gonna love it.

 

For me, switchable would be a must have. There are times when it is fun cruising around with the valves open all the time - so even at idle / low speed cruising you get a great exhaust sound.

Without the switchable active exhaust you have to "get on it" with the throttle in order to hear the exhaust bellow - meaning heavy acceleration and most likely being significantly over speed limits in suburban streets - which may not be ideal.

 

+1. Most of the time, I'm OK not have switchable AE. But occasionally, it would be fun. On the Lobster Run, I was behind 3 cars which had it switched on for highway cruising. Oh my!

 

Great feedback everyone, thank you all. Good to see there is an active and engaged group of members here.

I'm going to place an order for a V6 w/auto, and check the box for switchable active exhaust.

 

What you're not telling anyone is those 3 cars in front of you were a Prius, a Hyundai, and a Mini (and not Unhingd's either). As I recall we left you in the dust....but that's only because you weren't driving..., and were generous to let someone who couldn't bring their car drive yours.

Still, my guess is you still heard the three of us F-Types even if we were already in another county.

"Can you hear me now?"

 

They only time 'loud button' is not turned on is when I drive through my immediate neighborhood early in the morning.

 

You didn't make it clear as to whether or not there is a significant price difference between the cars. If not, get what you want by all means.

 

If it is not loud, you are not doing F-type right...

 

"Loud" is relative. So too, come to think of it, is "Fast". But I get where you're coming from.

 

The car on the lot was my exact build (slightly different seat color), plus it had the black pack, design pack, and no active exhaust. So there was a small difference, but not significant.

Decided to custom order and begin the long wait

 

Exactly...

Get what you want as you only have one crack at it. Your only penalty is time. Plus they'll probably be other things you can opt in such as stitch color or something.

I was under the wrong assumption that had you forgone that feature there would be a financial bonanza for you.

everyones different, had it been me I would have bought a used R with 5k miles on it for the same money. Oh yea, thats what I did do.

 

Looking to lease, so there is some risk that the rates and residuals will change, but a small change is fine.

The car on the lot would be here fast and ensure the current rates, but that was the only advantage.

 

You did.