I'm considering a base 2015 or 2016 F-Type coupe, but I'm confused on the active exhaust stuff. I'm fine with the car being loud all the time - is that the case if I don't get active exhaust? As in, would the barebones base sound the same as a higher end model with the 'loud' button pressed?

 

The active exhaust with the valves open is marginally louder than the base exhaust. (Not enough to worry about)

 

Keep in mind there's active exhaust, then there's switchable active exhaust.

 

Yep, active exhaust without the button = no opportunity to make it loud all the time (without pulling fuses or some other type of modification).

 

 

Yes the valves will only activate under heavy acceleration, otherwise its pretty quiet.

 

The 2016's provided switchable exhaust on the base model and the 2015's did not - I think it was an option in 2015?
My 2016 gets much louder in Dynamic driving mode than switchable activated alone so the 2015 may be the same.

 

My 2015 sticker, the Switchable Active Exhaust was a
n option.

 

That's quite a sticker. Former contributor Foosh insisted that the base without active exhaust was loud-ish all the time, and thought that active exhaust allowed it to be quieter at times. I haven't heard a base (much), so I can't comment.

With non-switchable active exhaust, using the paddles lets some more fun out of the tailpipes.

 

They open at 4000rpm regardless of acceleration or throttle position.

 

 

Of course, under full throttle, the sound is much more pronounced, but the valves are open either way over 4k.

 

Without switchable, they can't make up their mind at 1800rpm, as my squeaky valves have shown.

 

Is it throttle position dependent, or always at 1800 rpm?

 

I haven't had the fuse in since last fall, but my memory is that whenever the revs cross 1800rpm, I'd hear the valves either open or close. Been meaning to put the fuse back in - hope the valves haven't seized up.

 

The exhaust is much louder in Dynamic mode then in regular mode with active exhaust enabled. Pretty big difference to me.

 

I purchased 2015 v6 base recently. I don't have the active exhaust button, but can hear the snack, crackle, pop around 4k rpm. I'm satisfied.

 

Same here...