128i Performance Intake Installed & Reviewed

[wa128]

My performance air intake system was finally installed yesterday. I drive a steptronic so I can’t say how much better this system might perform with the 6MT. Expectations and impressions/opinions follow.

I was expecting to receive better throttle responses over a broad rpm range, lessen a perceived dropoff at about 1500 rpms and hopefully feel a bit quicker acceleration. From what I’ve come across about modern normally aspirated BMW engines it is difficult to extract any significant horsepower and torque increases just by adding bolt-on products here and there. I’ve done the Dinan powertrain stuff on an old E46 and know what a disappointment that can be after having spent thousands of dollars. For those owners who measure the value of a product strictly in terms of numbers gained and 0-60 times, this intake system is NOT for you. This project was entered into with a view towards achieving more practical gains for a daily driver. No racing for me.

In D mode throttle response feels about the same below 2,000 rpms. Stab the gas pedal more than ¾ of the way down and at 4,000+ rpms there is a sudden rush of power and the tach needle climbs quickly to 5,000+. I don’t remember sensing that much of a rush with the stock intake before. It felt a bit more linear in the past. It seems as though the new intake opens up the floodgates the higher the rpms climb.

Shift into DS mode and this is where I believe the new intake shines, for me anyway. Previously, the car felt kind of jumpy from a standing start. Now acceleration is still strong but smoother at lower rpms. Jump on the gas while cruising anywhere above 40 mph/2,100 rpms and the car pulls strongly and quickly past 5,000 rpms. Throttle responses are immediate. There is a little more kick. Very nice. I can see improvements in freeway passing here.

And finally, the sound. On the freeway when accelerating the engine sings more clearly with a slightly deeper voice; no hint of raspiness. I think the tone is a tad deeper but you can judge for yourself by viewing the attached video. There’s also a couple of pics with the new intake installed and a pic of the old one unassembled.

One other thing – design style. The BMW performance intake integrates nicely within the general layout of the engine bay. It gives a very clean and finished look plus the carbon fiber is a nice touch. Other cars with certain types of aftermarket intakes especially those with open cone designs (which serves a functional purpose) look out of place and out of proportion.

Anyway, this BMW product is a great product even though a little pricey. I’m sure the tuner community will eventually come around with alternatives that may be less expensive but with similar gains/benefits. For now, however, this intake blends functional benefits with style and warranty that no one has yet matched as far as I can tell. To conclude, allow me to borrow the title of a 3 Series article…”Bar, raised…Bench, marked”.

Before & after:

[wmj73]

Just watched your video, inside cabin noise sounds louder after the intake. Sounds awesome and looks the money, CONGRATS

[jkp1187]

Nice pics, thanks for posting these. It sounds good.

So is there any difference in filter size/type at all? Or is the new intake basically the same size/shape as the stock one, except made out of carbon fiber?

[bigmicj]

Thanks for posting the followup. Now I've got to start saving up for one. Love the way it looks in the engine bay too. Nice.

[KVMan50]

Thanks for the writeup... it definitely sounds deeper... I bet it goes a bit better and provides noticeably better throttle response. I have put a few different short ram and cold air intakes on a few different Mazdas and they made a bit more power but really opened up the throttle response. A freer flowing exhaust would really help. Good job! David

[BlackjackMulligan]

Great comparison videos.....very helpful, sounds better with the intake. Thanks for posting!

[bozola]

I knew that I should NOT have looked at this thread.

CF Intake.. now on the wish list.

Looks/Sounds GREAT!

[Garduna]

love the deeper sound, plus the CF intake ain't to shabby either! very nice!

[Rawhide]

Very nice! Does it affect the warranty?

[windmaker]

very nice mate. I just ordered the Performance exhaust and going to install this Friday. CF intake will be my next choice after installed the short shifter.

[wa128]

Originally Posted by jkp1187

Nice pics, thanks for posting these. It sounds good.

So is there any difference in filter size/type at all? Or is the new intake basically the same size/shape as the stock one, except made out of carbon fiber?

I have not seen myself but according to BMW there is a new filter element. I would image the filter is a different shape being that the airbox is different in shape and size also. The air passage in the carbon fiber housing is larger. There is a third air inlet under the longest front edge of the airbox (that's the large unit connected to the right of the carbon fiber housing). From reading some articles I understand that the size of the air snorkel that feeds air from the airbox into the throttle body also matters in creating an effective system. I hope and am pretty certain BMW engineers took that into consideration.

Originally Posted by Rawhide

Very nice! Does it affect the warranty?

There is no effect on warranty. Since the intake system is from BMW, it has a valid BMW OEM part number and is covered under warranty. The labor is also covered under warranty since I had it installed by a BMW service center (my dealership).

[wa128]

Hey guys, thanks for all your compliments. I appreciate it!

[bozola]

You need to update your sig :roundel:

[wa128]

Originally Posted by bozola

You need to update your sig :roundel:

I know...I've thinking about that and looking at all the great sigs w/pics on the forum.

[Rawhide]

Originally Posted by wa128

There is no effect on warranty. Since the intake system is from BMW, it has a valid BMW OEM part number and is covered under warranty. The labor is also covered under warranty since I had it installed by a BMW service center (my dealership).

Cool. Can you share a link where this can be bought online? Google is not being very helpful this morning...

[windmaker]

Originally Posted by Rawhide

Cool. Can you share a link where this can be bought online? Google is not being very helpful this morning...

Every bmw performance stuffs is on the main website.

[Rawhide]

Originally Posted by windmaker

Every bmw performance stuffs is on the main website.

Thanks, never saw that.

They don't let these go for very cheap, do they?

[wa128]

Originally Posted by Rawhide

Thanks, never saw that.

They don't let these go for very cheap, do they?

Try here: http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=6218

Dan at United BMW is a suppporting vendor on this forum. He has the best prices on any BMW accessory.

[italiantank26]

the price is still a little outragous for an intake system that only adds between 4-8 hp, and there is a little sound difference but not completely noticeable i would rather wait for a better price, you could get a full exhaust system for the same price.

[jkp1187]

Originally Posted by italiantank26

the price is still a little outragous for an intake system that only adds between 4-8 hp, and there is a little sound difference but not completely noticeable i would rather wait for a better price, you could get a full exhaust system for the same price.

Yeah, you're paying for the fact that (a) it's Carbon Fiber and (b) it's from BMW, I think.

[Dan@UnitedBMW]

And the fact that it continues warranty!

[BMW-driver]

I guess you have added 25 bhp with this mod. LOL.