[D's Bimmer]

I have been reading that some guys have found some "benefits" in replacing their stock intake air filter with an aftermarket one. Is there any real benefit in doing this and if so which brand does everyone recommend? I am a little leary of an aftermarket oilled filter but maybe it is worth it.

I believe Burger, Active Autowerkes and K & N amoung others may sell these.

Appreciate the input.

[Johnny Boost]

Are you talking about drop-in filters? Without a tune, you will see minimal gain from any type of aftermarket intake.

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Boost

Are you talking about drop-in filters? Without a tune, you will see minimal gain from any type of aftermarket intake.

Yes, I am talking about a drop in filter.

[I35it]

I have a red foam filter and tune and it felt better. But, I cant really say the real benefits of it besides I can here the DV a little better. Probably no help but my 2 cents. Side note- I should probably clean it this weekend.

[yEBMW]

Originally Posted by I35it

I have a red foam filter and tune and it felt better. But, I cant really say the real benefits of it besides I can here the DV a little better. Probably no help but my 2 cents. Side note- I should probably clean it this weekend.

there's no way to upgrade the diverter valve right?

[D's Bimmer]

For example, here is the one from AA.....

http://store.activeautowerke.com/act...lter-p201.aspx

Anyone use this or anything like this?

[JETmn]

Anyone have any experience with the aFe dry filter? I am not a fan of oiled filters after seeing how much oil gets sucked in to the engine from them.

[D's Bimmer]

Originally Posted by JETmn

Anyone have any experience with the aFe dry filter? I am not a fan of oiled filters after seeing how much oil gets sucked in to the engine from them.

I tend to agree with you. I used a K & N oiled filter in my e46 and it was brutal on the air flow sensor....non oiled is preferred.

[Andrewe92]

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

For example, here is the one from AA.....

http://store.activeautowerke.com/act...lter-p201.aspx

Anyone use this or anything like this?

this one looks really good.. not sure what kind of gains you'll get.. if you don't think 100 bucks is pricey I would go for that one active autowerke is great. and it's a such an easy install... keep in mind this is an oiled filter not a dry, so you would have to buy there cleaning kit for this filter or you could get a dry filter

[Markus8291]

if you're strictly looking for hp gain I wouldn't bother. If you want a better quality filter than the garbage stock paper filter (good choice imo) then throw one in there.

There are two parts in these cars that are absolute garbage in my opinion. The stock airfilter and the stock chargepipe. Even if I was not running a tune I would upgrade those two things. Maybe because I am kind of a perfectionist and want to know that every part of my engine is of the highest quality or maybe because I don't want to wait until they eventually (possibly) fail in some way...

[Dark_Knight_335]

There is zero benefit to changing out anything on your intake- only BMS has shown some marginal games on the dyno, but I doubt it's noticeable in real world driving.

I've been through BMS, Injen, and the red foam drop in filter. I just have mine stock now, that's the best way to be.

[mashimarho]

Originally Posted by yEBMW

there's no way to upgrade the diverter valve right?

Nope

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by D's Bimmer

For example, here is the one from AA.....

http://store.activeautowerke.com/act...lter-p201.aspx

Anyone use this or anything like this?

Our filters are made by Green filter usa . Check them out their materials and construction are superior to others filters we have tried on the market.

http://www.greenfilterusa.com/why-go-green.php

[Dark_Knight_335]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

Our filters are made by Green filter usa . Check them out their materials and construction are superior to others filters we have tried on the market.

http://www.greenfilterusa.com/why-go-green.php

Hey Andrew- I've been a big fan of AA back when I had my 328- you guys produced some serious power I could feel, and I loved you for it!
However, can you honestly say in clear conscience that an air intake filter really boosts any noticeable horsepower you can feel?

[Da_Meister_22]

Yeah bud a drop in filter is the best filter all around that you can get for our cars (with true hp gains) . If you have an N55 you can get our Green Filter, or if you have an N54 you can get a K&N filter like I have.

Hope this helps.

[evo335xi]

Honestly, I believe running the bms open intake in the winter and drop-in foam filter in the summer would be best. I have a foam and just lost a bid on the bms, just my thoughts! More cooler air in the winter and less hot air in the summer.

[Da_Meister_22]

Originally Posted by evo335xi

Honestly, I believe running the bms open intake in the winter and drop-in foam filter in the summer would be best. I have a foam and just lost a bid on the bms, just my thoughts! More cooler air in the winter and less hot air in the summer.

Yeah but a lot of us don't want to keep changing intakes back and forth. Also, that would work for anyone that doesn't live in Florida....last time I checked we weren't getting any "winter" weather down here in FL Summer 24/7 all day lol

[evo335xi]

I agree with the switching intakes and hot/humid weather lol..the bms is just too easy to switch-really just the cover of the airbox/tubing to be honest if I'm not mistaken! : )

[Da_Meister_22]

Yeah but most people would prefer something they wouldn't have to change, whether is summer/winter. I currently have a K&N in my N54 and I love it.

[Dark_Knight_335]

I would like to see pictures of Dyno gains posted of someone who swapped out their OEM filter with any other filter.

[hetzle]

Originally Posted by Dark_Knight_335

I would like to see pictures of Dyno gains posted of someone who swapped out their OEM filter with any other filter.

This guy did it and gained a decent amount of WHP/WTQ It's the 2nd thread that pops up if you search "filter" in the N55 section :P

[Dark_Knight_335]

Cool- I don't want another BMS intake because it made my car sound like a fucking metro bus