Preface lift V Facelift
 

What is the actual difference in build to a Facelift and pre Facelift 4.2 tdi

I know the engine has a higher factory HP and 50nm more torque but ... why is the engine much more quiet than PF ? I drove one the other day and it's either a better insulated cabin or the engine build and design is actually different in some way.

Other differences I'd be interested in is sound system... my friend has a 2016 S8 and mine is 2012 .. his bose sounds like a different system to mine, using the same SD card track as a reference it's almost hard to belive they are even the same system at all ... ??

Interesting, engine wise I have driven both extensively now and haven't noticed any real difference in engine noise, or in real world "power" with the 4.2 TDIs (the 3l FL made a big difference, suspect some of that maybe gearing?). Maybe worth trying a different pre-facelift for comparison?

On the bose question, would be interesting to compare software versions on the amp?

That can be arranged I have VCDS I can check the software version. Power wise I have no reference given I'm on 446bhp with 1050nm and the standard face-lift is around 385 with 850nm

I have to say every time I use the power and torque I smile ... I left a soul destroying look on a jaguar XF owners face today... launch control with that torque and a sports diff is so satisfying and a true Wolf in sheep's clothing

Stupid question possibly, but same track on the same sd card?

Yes, same track both cars, same format and bit rate etc straight from one car to the other, with the 2016 S8 sounding far better...

Now part of me wandered, is this to do with the active noise cancellation. .. and is that system in some way different ... I can see the microphones in the headlining on his. Where I do not have this ...

I'm interested in how you get that power, mine is standard, I was maybe a little disappointed when I planted the facelift and it felt just the same to my butt-dyno :ROFL:

Was the facelift an S8, active noise cancellation will explain the difference in cabin noise if so +++

If one has noise cancelling and the other does not, that sounds like a solid difference (no pun intended). It will at the very least reduce your perception of extraneous noise, which may enhance perceived clarity of the music.
It would be interesting to compare with B&O as well.

Next upgrade: fit active noise canceling :)

With some ahem "Street legal and emissions compliant upgrades officer" and a remap of course :D

Yes, this ^^

The active noise cancellation (standard on the S8 iirc) works remarkably well, I was blown away by the silence of the S8 cabin when I drove one....

All Joking aside, can this actually be retrofit? I've looked at the amps and they both look the same ... is this just an installation of mics + reprogramming of the amplifier. . If so I'm definitely going to do it

It wasn't even an option outside of the S8, not something I have looked at in any detail but if you are serious I'd start with the wiring diagrams and go from there. To install properly will be a big job I guess, think about dropping the headlining etc..

Good luck +++

Amazing really that the loudest engine of them the 4.2tdi was not the one that came with ANC .. the S8 engine is so refined it may as well be a W12 . It's ultra quiet
Thanks Paul. .