[dAPEX]

Does anyone have experience with ebay intercoolers? There is one on ebay (sold under multiple names) that is a 6" to 8" step up intercooler, direct fit, black for $299 shipped. All aluminum construction. Looks to be a bar and plate design a good number of fins. Thanks!

[Mywifes335]

Go with high quality like Dinan, ER, or Wagner.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Historically the external fin pack is not that dense and the internal fin pack will follow suit, you get what you pay for.

We had a guy recently on the N54 boards buy a similar intercooler found on ebay and you could see right through intercooler.

A high quality intercooler will not allow any visible light through the intercooler. That is the definition of a high quality core and dense fin pack.

[EEBreh]

Plus the Chinese rip off the quality units of the companies that have engineered the product for our use. If we keep purchasing these knock off units, developers will feel less inclined to develop products for our cars or future ones.

[Luminous]

I have the ATM intercooler and have been extremely pleased with its performance. Highly recommended.

[Cloud IX]

Have the ER and love it. The testing results speak for themselves.

[Mywifes335]

Like any parts, I've learned to do it right the first time and you'll spend less in the long run.

I was between the ER and Wagner Evo II, both are great. ER will give you lower IATs. From what I've seen the Wagner is a little less expensive and easier fitment.

[AlexGT]

Why taking a risk by buying a "cheap" IC (or any other cheap engine component) on a $40K+ car? I really don't get it. It's not like your putting some cheap carbon fiber add-on that doesn't put the car on any risk.

Buy a branded one. I have a Wagner and it works great.

[Luminous]

Do a search, there's a post on here of someone comparing various intercoolers. ATM outperformed both Wagner and ER. Check them out.

Edit: found the thread, here it is: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1088334

[Mywifes335]

To be honest, after installing the intercooler and chargepipes I noticed no difference in performance. In all fairness I only drove the car a bit since the install and it's been cold outside...

If anything, once I can drive again I would like to see how it performs when it is hot outside and in stop/go traffic.

For me, it's a support mod if you want to push the car to higher boost levels or want reliable performance regardless of ambient temps.

As far as the ATM intercooler, was the test vs ER and the Wagner EVO I or EVO II? You learn something new every day. When I was looking, i wish I knew about the ATM so I could've had more intercoolers to comp with.

Anyhow, happy with the Wagner Evo II. Incredible German craftsmanship and fitment - if NOT changing intercooler piping it's a 20 minute job if you've got a lift.

Oh yeah...the Wagners are black. So if you want to be able to SEE your new big face intercooler from the outside, you'll be disappointed. From the outside, you can't see it at all....

[mike@x-ph.com]

Intercoolers are cheap on Ebay for a reason

If you are in doubt, ask the seller to send you comparison logs of their intercoolers

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

Intercoolers are cheap on Ebay for a reason

If you are in doubt, ask the seller to send you comparison logs of their intercoolers

I'll be surprised if they even know what that means. Most of the intercoolers floating around on ebay are copies of copies. The sellers don't even have cars they can R&D the parts on.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Tiago@VRSF

I'll be surprised if they even know what that means. Most of the intercoolers floating around on ebay are copies of copies. The sellers don't even have cars they can R&D the parts on.

I have seen ebay sellers that even copied defects in certain designs

[Mywifes335]

Don't go fake. Unless it's boobs.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Don't go fake. Unless it's boobs.

[Anthony235]

Does ATM have a website? Only their facebook comes up on google.

Also can't find any vendors that sell ATM.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by Anthony235

Does ATM have a website? Only their facebook comes up on google.

Also can't find any vendors that sell ATM.

Dont think they have a website or any vendors on this forum

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by Anthony235

Does ATM have a website? Only their facebook comes up on google.

Also can't find any vendors that sell ATM.

Last I remember ATM only sells direct on the forums and typically does a group buy with some form of payment up front.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Originally Posted by Mywifes335

Don't go fake. Unless it's boobs.

[MASHCT]

Originally Posted by Luminous

I have the ATM intercooler and have been extremely pleased with its performance. Highly recommended.

Hey man - I wrote ATM & the new owners sent me back an email saying they were not sure their F30 intercooler fit the M235i. Can you confirm fit & did it require any other modifications? Did you replace the charge pipe too? If yes, what brand?

Thanks!
Jim

[SeanWRT]

There are a lot of ways of seeking personal gains by making the world a worse place. Buying knockoffs is one of them.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

There are a lot of ways of seeking personal gains by making the world a worse place. Buying knockoffs is one of them.

+100000