Air intake, which way to go

[Alf_flash]

Hello, so this week i finally received my new 125i after changing my old 125..

The problem is that this new one is amazing !

So i dont know if i should install all my old tunes, for example the injen intake... I think its too loud, since I am loving the silence of this new car...

But i have an uncontrollable need to tune so im thinking of a simple replacement, which one do you guys recommend ?

Thank you

[Chandon]

just remove the intake box cover lol
intakes wont really do much unless you have a "tune", theyre just gonna make your car louder

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by viciousgook

just remove the intake box cover lol
intakes wont really do much unless you have a "tune", theyre just gonna make your car louder

They aren't going to do anything for the car tuned or not.

Alf, check out the thread below yours for people enjoying long term ownership of Injen products.

[mechavore884]

+1 for injen (heatsoak aside) but realistically you wont really gain any power for the mod

[mechavore884]

but all sarcasm aside I think the AFE and the BMW performance intakes are the only ones somewhat worth getting

[Alf_flash]

Originally Posted by mechavore884

but all sarcasm aside I think the AFE and the BMW performance intakes are the only ones somewhat worth getting

I think im buying the afe drop in replacement filter, any news on that one ?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Here is a few that we carry:
Injen:




aFe Magnum Force Stage 2:



aFe mangnum Force Stage 2 PRO:




Note: aFe is our best selling intake, lots of positive feedback.

[mechavore884]

Originally Posted by Alf_flash

I think im buying the afe drop in replacement filter, any news on that one ?

lol welll I mean you can use a drop in filter if you'd like (personally I'd go with K&N) but in all reality the air filters won't net you any real horsepower....the SR's and CAI's will make the car sound a little more aggressive and you'll notice a slightly better throttle response but thats about it. The drop ins are well...lol like replacements no gain (whether audible or power oriented) will be had. If this was an EVO a drop in filter would have been a different story HAHAHA. But my long ass post aside the biggest power bump from this car comes from the manifold and the header (tune aside).

[harrytruman]

Originally Posted by mechavore884

lol welll I mean you can use a drop in filter if you'd like (personally I'd go with K&N) but in all reality the air filters won't net you any real horsepower....the SR's and CAI's will make the car sound a little more aggressive and you'll notice a slightly better throttle response but thats about it. The drop ins are well...lol like replacements no gain (whether audible or power oriented) will be had. If this was an EVO a drop in filter would have been a different story HAHAHA. But my long ass post aside the biggest power bump from this car comes from the manifold and the header (tune aside).

K&N filters should be avoided as they're very thin and let a lot of particles through. There are a ton of posts from people who have found all sorts of stuff in their engine after having driven with them installed. At the very least, I've seen plenty of people in the various BMW forums and definitely in the Evo forums (when I had my Evo X).

[mechavore884]

Originally Posted by harrytruman

K&N filters should be avoided as they're very thin and let a lot of particles through. There are a ton of posts from people who have found all sorts of stuff in their engine after having driven with them installed. At the very least, I've seen plenty of people in the various BMW forums and definitely in the Evo forums (when I had my Evo X).

wow I didn't know? lol Ive ran their filters on many vehicles I've owned but never had any issues, but hey if the numbers are what you say Id stay away and just get the OEM ones anyways

[TheSt|G]

Once again, they are all a waste of money unless you are looking to give up stock filtering/quality/heat shielding for a bit of noise and less power.

[Alf_flash]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Once again, they are all a waste of money unless you are looking to give up stock filtering/quality/heat shielding for a bit of noise and less power.

Actually i think you might be correct. My old tuned n52 was slow and slugish...

Why is the air intake delivering less power ?

Thank you

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by Alf_flash

Actually i think you might be correct. My old tuned n52 was slow and slugish...

Why is the air intake delivering less power ?

Thank you

The heat shielding is poor enough that when the engine gets up to temp, the intake is just pulling hot ambient air. Hotter the air, lower the power.

[maupineda]

I think the only option to go is Euro Performance Intake, which costs a lot, and yet you will gain a slightly more deep intake note and 1 - 2 hp more. It will look fantastic under the bonnet though!

[Iron Man]

I would only consider the Euro Box as a replacement and only due to the ease of changing out the filter, nothing else.

[pj.rodriguez]

Euro box for me for ease of maintenance.

[tuphdc]

I think the best use of time and money are carbon filter delete + intake scoops. I would suggest sticking to OE paper filters. Unless you drive around in a clean room you need to protect your engine.

[Kurjanda]

Originally Posted by Iron Man

I would only consider the Euro Box as a replacement and only due to the ease of changing out the filter, nothing else.

I don't see how this is a valid reason to purchase this box. It's an extra five minutes to change / dust off your filter, probably once a year at most.... Taking the entire thing off the manifold takes 2 minutes for starters.

Buy it for the sound and extra airflow.

[pj.rodriguez]

Originally Posted by Kurjanda

I don't see how this is a valid reason to purchase this box. It's an extra five minutes to change / dust off your filter, probably once a year at most.... Taking the entire thing off the manifold takes 2 minutes for starters.

Buy it for the sound and extra airflow.

It doesn't "really" make more sound or have any "gains". The maintenance is much easier considering the fact that you're not risking messing up the MAF or dropping things in the intake hose to the engine when you take out your dusty, sandy, north american intake box.

[Kurjanda]

Actually it does - in both sound and gain. Marginal, but what are we all expecting from an NA engine?

I don't understand how you would mess the MAF up. You don't even touch it when disassembling the box.

[mechavore884]

maaaaaaaaaaaan just get an OEM filter or save the money for a header or suspension mods. Its really not worth spending $300+ for 1 to 2 hp (not all that noticeable)

[Iron Man]

Originally Posted by Kurjanda

I don't see how this is a valid reason to purchase this box. It's an extra five minutes to change / dust off your filter, probably once a year at most.... Taking the entire thing off the manifold takes 2 minutes for starters.

Buy it for the sound and extra airflow.

Well I guess you can have your reasons and I will have mine. Whether you find my reasoning valid or not makes no difference to me.