[Richyy235i]

What are the best air intake options? I have been looking at a few different ones including the injen air intake, all though i have heard the standard intake is more than sufficient.

At present i have the VRSF cat-less down-pipe/Forge charge pipe/MTC Front mount inter cooler and the car is ready for mapping i'm just wondering whether the air intake is a worthwhile investment in terms of power gains.

Thoughts?

[mike@x-ph.com]

The most popular intake for us has always been Injen. It sounds the best in my opinion.

BMS is a close second

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by Richyy235i

What are the best air intake options? I have been looking at a few different ones including the injen air intake, all though i have heard the standard intake is more than sufficient.

At present i have the VRSF cat-less down-pipe/Forge charge pipe/MTC Front mount inter cooler and the car is ready for mapping i'm just wondering whether the air intake is a worthwhile investment in terms of power gains.

Thoughts?

I don’t know about the brands of the other parts to comment - but if you’re looking for actual power gains, AFE - otherwise a drop in filter and the M performance lower intake box.

[KennyFSU]

I was not a fan of the BMS intake; caused a stumble on startup and I recorded slightly higher IATs.

I now run a K&N drop-in panel filter and am very happy.

[subzero05]

I have the AEM on mine and it works well. fit and finish are very nice

[TonM3]

Coming from an e46 M3 that can have serious issues with an aftermarket intake (improper oiling can dirty everything from the MAF to the idle control valve and everything in between.
Is there any similar risk to the B58?

[Liandri]

For the n55 it's generally accepted that you should stick with the stock intake, with an oil-free drop in. If you search around the stock intake is good for 500hp+ so no gains from aftermarket, only sound, and potential for problems as a lot of people seem to report issues. Of course you can try it, but be prepared to go back to stock if you encounter issues

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Liandri

For the n55 it's generally accepted that you should stick with the stock intake, with an oil-free drop in. If you search around the stock intake is good for 500hp+ so no gains from aftermarket, only sound, and potential for problems as a lot of people seem to report issues. Of course you can try it, but be prepared to go back to stock if you encounter issues

N55 it's really Dinan or drop in filter as you said, AFE makes a nice one. Eventuri is another option, but that's crazy money. Otherwise it's all filter on a stick garbage. I think AWE may have an enclosed intake, but Dinan is tried and true and decent value.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by subzero05

I have the AEM on mine and it works well. fit and finish are very nice

[XutvJet]

MPPK/M2 lower air box with the AFE dry panel filter is the way to go, IMO. Open intakes are terrible for elevated IATs and often cause CELs and driveability issues. Oiled filters can cause issues with the oil debris adhering to MAF elements. I like the design of the Dinan intake but it's pricey and has an oiled filter.

[Uscray]

Dinan's intake is not a pricey as before. In the past year it dropped to $449

[Richyy235i]

Thanks for the advice lads.

Think i am going to go with a drop in one, and stick with the stock intake box. Sound isn't really worth hundreds of dollars/pounds, all fart no poo so to speak.

Cheers.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Richyy235i

Thanks for the advice lads.

Think i am going to go with a drop in one, and stick with the stock intake box. Sound isn't really worth hundreds of dollars/pounds, all fart no poo so to speak.

Cheers.

That's smart, new intake isn't the first place to spend. If you're itching for something else to do the AFE intake scoop is like $50, looks neat through the grille, and is an easy DIY...

[stlb5]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

The most popular intake for us has always been Injen. It sounds the best in my opinion.

BMS is a close second

I know I've listened to exhaust sounds to hear the difference, but never considered intakes sounding different (other than the obvious difference over stock).

How do Injen's sound different than BMS?

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by stlb5

I know I've listened to exhaust sounds to hear the difference, but never considered intakes sounding different (other than the obvious difference over stock).

How do Injen's sound different than BMS?

The filter and the piping (size and design) play a role in the sound of the intakes

[KennyFSU]

Doesn't the material matter as well? Plastic vs metal tube.

[Conr4d]

Dinan’s intake is a good OEM+ enclosed style intake. Slightly more intake noise, mild improvement in throttle response, no check engine light, and carbon fiber eye candy under the hood

[The_otherM235i]

I personally went with the BMS for its sound and finish. Nice looking under the hood and performs well. It did however cause my car to throw a check engine light but only a few times and only when it's very hot out. Other then that it works great

[JY01]

CTS Turbo makes a CEL-free intake for our cars. I recently purchased one and haven nothing but great things to say. Fitment and build quality are on point.

One thing you should take into account with open filter intakes is that they don't screw with your IAT's as much as people say they do. The intercooler does all the IAT regulating, so if you want better cold air induction, that's the way to go. An intake upgrade is mainly for increasing airflow with a less restrictive design, however the original N55 airbox is not restrictive at all which makes an intake less feasible of an upgrade for many as you mentioned. A drop-in filter will work just fine, but I just went for the sound increase which I'd say is completely worth it.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by KennyFSU

Doesn't the material matter as well? Plastic vs metal tube.

Not really no