[BelugaaF22]

Do you all recommend putting a K&N drop in filter into my stock intake? Would the dealer have any problems with this? Or is aftermarket intake more preferred (Injen, etc.) Thanks all

[ngl]

K&N drop in will give you the same result ( sound / air flow ) as an dedicated cold air intake on the N20 with the added advantage that you can always put the stock filter in so you can still use the car while the K&N is drying after you wash it / re-oil.

Only real reason to spend 10 times more money for a CAI is under the hood bling, if you go to car events and this kind of thing matters to you.

[BelugaaF22]

ok I see, makes sense. so K&N would be an upgrade to the stock? Not really into that hood bling but definitely want more airflow to the engine.

[ngl]

It is, but minimal, nothing you would feel. Something like 2-4 hp.

[BEM-S4]

Check out AWE too, I have one in my F31 328 been very happy with it.

[BelugaaF22]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Check out AWE too, I have one in my F31 328 been very happy with it.

i saw the AWE S-FLO intake however I am not sure that price of 1k would justify it for me

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by BelugaaF22

i saw the AWE S-FLO intake however I am not sure that price of 1k would justify it for me

No just the filter!

Any intake "upgrade" is cosmetic bullshit on an N20.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by ngl

It is, but minimal, nothing you would feel. Something like 2-4 hp.

+1


If you are looking for sound, get the Injen intake.

If you are only interested in power, K&N is a good choice but do not expect any significant gains

[BelugaaF22]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

No just the filter!

Any intake "upgrade" is cosmetic bullshit on an N20.

sounds good Ill give it a try!

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by BelugaaF22

sounds good Ill give it a try!

I am sorry I lied to you, I meant AFE not AWE. See below for link. I was going to do K&N but the performance guy at my dealer said they tend to be over-oiled and he prefers AFE. He knows way more than I do so I took his word for it.

https://x-ph.com/afe-power-magnum-fl...6-228-328-428/

[Sunsets]

Does anyone have a YouTube video on the K & N? Kinda interested now, before was considering the injen but this sounds promising and easier + cheaper.

[BelugaaF22]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

I am sorry I lied to you, I meant AFE not AWE. See below for link. I was going to do K&N but the performance guy at my dealer said they tend to be over-oiled and he prefers AFE. He knows way more than I do so I took his word for it.

https://x-ph.com/afe-power-magnum-fl...6-228-328-428/

This should'nt have a problem passing those dang emissions in CA right?


Sunsets: I havent found a video yet.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by BelugaaF22

This should'nt have a problem passing those dang emissions in CA right?


Sunsets: I havent found a video yet.

I cannot imagine it would be an issue but mike@x-ph.com can confirm he's the pro.

[Winemaker2]

Originally Posted by BelugaaF22

Do you all recommend putting a K&N drop in filter into my stock intake? Would the dealer have any problems with this? Or is aftermarket intake more preferred (Injen, etc.) Thanks all

My indy performance shop recommended a BMC filter over the K&N and after some research it did appear that the BMC was better made. I have had K&Ns in previous BMWs and they all passed smog. Oh, another reason for the BMC, my last name ends in vowel and the BMC is made in Italy.

[BelugaaF22]

Thanks all for your input!

[Maynard]

Intake mods are probably one of the worst places to spend, in terms of performance-per-dollar. If you want more airflow, I think you'd be far better off going to a mild aftermarket tune-box like a jb4, or Dinan if you want to retain warranty - these boost turbo output far more than a modest reduction in intake drag will.

[Winemaker2]

+1

[richardddd]

Originally Posted by Sunsets

Does anyone have a YouTube video on the K & N? Kinda interested now, before was considering the injen but this sounds promising and easier + cheaper.

[Sunsets]

Originally Posted by richardddd

Wow, wasn't expecting to see the conclusion on that video... guess K & N is a winner.

[Maynard]

Keep looking - K&N doesn't seem to be that good at actually filtering. Courtesy of my quarantined status, I kept on with the links, and in a later vid there is a nice comparo of filtration effectiveness. K&N gets its ass handed to it in terms of actual filtration. I DK how much these particle levels matter, but the first vid does a good job of showing that these minor diffs in air flow are negligible for performance. I'd love to see a similar (or perhaps better-designed) comparison for the other high perf filters. The fixation upon filter flow comes from the naturally aspirated world, especially with carbs; our cars have a nice big turbo that is being told how much air to push - I suspect it is automatically compensating for any restrictions the same as for higher elevations, and just pushing a little harder.

[richardddd]

Originally Posted by Maynard

Keep looking - K&N doesn't seem to be that good at actually filtering. Courtesy of my quarantined status, I kept on with the links, and in a later vid there is a nice comparo of filtration effectiveness. K&N gets its ass handed to it in terms of actual filtration. I DK how much these particle levels matter, but the first vid does a good job of showing that these minor diffs in air flow are negligible for performance. I'd love to see a similar (or perhaps better-designed) comparison for the other high perf filters. The fixation upon filter flow comes from the naturally aspirated world, especially with carbs; our cars have a nice big turbo that is being told how much air to push - I suspect it is automatically compensating for any restrictions the same as for higher elevations, and just pushing a little harder.

Thanks for posting this. I'm definitely going to take this into consideration and replace my K&N filter.

[Winemaker2]

Don't believe everything you see on the internet. I chose a BMC filter after discussing with a performance shop and actually getting to talk to a representative of a DTC racing team who they had worked with. Check out the BMC website.

On a personal note re: K&N, I went almost 90K on my E90 BMW without any issues. When I was told BMC was even better from a filtering standpoint, and provided superior performance compared to an OEM filter, I went with the BMC. Here's something interesting. In late 2018, early 2019 I reached out to Dinan and they said they could not really improve on the intake system of the OEM on the 2017 230i. They suggested a performance filter to improve performance. It was funny that 6 months later they came out with their new cold air intake system. Hmm... As many have suggested maybe not worth the price of admission.