CAI for 535

Does anybody make a CAI for the E60 that uses long tubes and sources cool air from in front of the rad? Stillen among others make them for the Infiniti cars and they're supposed to be the best way to go if you're into aftermarket intakes.

That said, I've seen comments that with a turbo, drawing the warm air from underhood is inconsequential to performance since turbos heat the intake charge and the IC cools it again. But perhaps the capacity of the IC to cool is a limiting factor in this and if hotter air being compressed raises the charge temp proportionally it nullifies the above argument?

Thoughts?

Yes, Injen makes a fancy set with long chromed pipes. http://www.modbargains.com/Injen-Col...W-E60-535i.htm
I don't think they are any more effective than a regular pair of cones connected right on the intakes. Look cool though.

Interesting (and expensive), but not exactly what I was thinking. I'll keep looking - thanks.

And per your sig line, how tough is it to install paddle shift to the slushbox?

Mine came with paddle shifters. Not sure how you could add them.

I have dual cone intake from Burger Tuning. They cost $90 for a pair and work great.

Originally Posted by audiophool

Interesting (and expensive), but not exactly what I was thinking. I'll keep looking - thanks.

And per your sig line, how tough is it to install paddle shift to the slushbox?

If you go to 5series.net there is a thread about adding dapples. It requires some programming in addition to parts.

I like the paddles, but I'm pretty sure I don't like them $2000+ though. Thanks for the reference to the DIY.

The more I read about DCI, the more it seems to support my thoughts about there being no real need to duct for cold air. And the price is right at Burger - I've spent more on dinner recently.

Originally Posted by audiophool

The more I read about DCI, the more it seems to support my thoughts about there being no real need to duct for cold air. And the price is right at Burger - I've spent more on dinner recently.

I recently purchased the bms dci and am very happy with the performance.

Originally Posted by booyaazaa

I recently purchased the bms dci and am very happy with the performance.

And how's the sound? Snarly? Turbo spool? Such and such?

Originally Posted by audiophool

And how's the sound? Snarly? Turbo spool? Such and such?

I'm running the Injen intake and very happy with it. Although it is very loud but it you like the boost sound you can't go wrong. I started with a stock airbox with BMS drop-in filter and it performed good but quiet...then went with the AFe and I felt like I lost power (especially on the bottom end...like it took longer to build boost) but it was a (very) little louder than the airbox setup. Then I tried the Injen and I really like it, power it same or better than stock box and sounds like a beast. I've heard several cars with the BMS DCI and it sounds pretty good too but looks kind of hacked in my opinion but how often do you really open your hood?

If you go the DCI route spend a few extra bucks and get the CPE version as it's pipes match the diameter of the stock tubes....the BMS will slightly crush the stock tubes making it a pain to put the stock airbox back on.

Let us know what you go with and how you like it.

AFE works great too

Stage 2 DCI Pro5R Filter

it's in the mid to high 3's though.

What about dry filters vs. oiled filters.

are their any issues with codes on the 535?

Originally Posted by CleanE60

What about dry filters vs. oiled filters.

are their any issues with codes on the 535?

When I had my Afe it was oiled filters and it never generated any codes. I would do plenty of research before putting your money on this intake though. It looks good, but it's performance wasn't up to par on my tuned car....your mileage my vary.

Originally Posted by Glockz

When I had my Afe it was oiled filters and it never generated any codes. I would do plenty of research before putting your money on this intake though. It looks good, but it's performance wasn't up to par on my tuned car....your mileage my vary.

So are you insisting that injen makes the best intakes?

I'd say 90%+ of the customer who order an intake with the N54 motor, go with the AFE intake listed below. It's a very well made intake, proven power, and it's by a company who really knows their stuff. It's certainly worth a look:


aFe Stage 2 Intake System BMW N54 135i, 1M, 335i, 535i

AFE Intake Benefits
- Increased throttle response
- Better fuel economy, usually a 1-2 MPG gain is observed
- New look under your hood
- Washable/ reusable filter
- Installs in less than 60 minutes and uses factory mounting points
- Limited lifetime warranty

I hope that helps!

I would say that most people just drive their car harder once it is installed so even thought your car gets better gas mileage you don't drive it adequately to notice that . which really isn't a problem

Originally Posted by CleanE60

So are you insisting that injen makes the best intakes?

No..I'm just passing along the experience with my car.

I would say the majority of tuned N54 cars are running the BMS or Vinshu DCI...I'm sure that is due to a combination of low cost and performance/sound.

I guess it would be stuck in between the injen and the afe. I know Injen is a good company but doesn't the chrome look sort of cheesy.

Originally Posted by CleanE60

I guess it would be stuck in between the injen and the afe. I know Injen is a good company but doesn't the chrome look sort of cheesy.

I would go with the black finish. Cheesy it is.

Originally Posted by CleanE60

I guess it would be stuck in between the injen and the afe. I know Injen is a good company but doesn't the chrome look sort of cheesy.

I'm running the black wrinkle coat...blends in under hood better than chrome IMO.

BMS DCI all the way. Lots of unrestricted breathing surface, fit tightly to the intake, no long tubes to draw air through.
Inexpensive, easy to service with K&N oiling and cleaning kit.
Function over form.

The Afe design looks silly to me. Does anyone really think that plastic box does anything to prevent the general temperature under the hood to enter into the hats?
Same for Injen, just longer metal tubes that air has to be drawn through. Looks fancy, and breathing may be pretty good, but is the air any cooler?

The challenge of testing the efficiency of different designs is that you can only put the car on a dyno. And that does not replicate what happens when a car is being driven at speed and air is going through the front dam and into the engine room. It disperses engine heat really fast as it's like having a giant fan blowing. That's why i have to laugh at the gimmicky Afe design.

I would say it prolly looks the most professional as far as fit and finish I believe the tubing helps create slight greater air induction by the design, and I totally agree function over fashion.

Do any of you guys get your car serviced at a dealer with the aftermarket intake? I have a car with 48k that is under the original maintenance till a 100k or 2017 along with the extended plat warranty?

Should the intake be removed and returned to the factory airbox prior to bringing the vehicle to the dealer?

Please let me know your experiences?

I don't remove anything when I go in. Intake and meth system sitting right out for anyone to see it.

Don't ask don't tell. It is never mentioned.

+1. But I am off warranty and deal with a tuner friendly dealership. Just for recall items though.

The injen intake doesn't use the stock air dam like the afe on the 535 but the injen kit does make a custom air dam for the 135 and 335 applications, does this help any? I know the AFE retains all of the stock mounting equipment, along with the air dam, but I like what I'm hearing and seeing about the Injen...

if you had to choose one of the 2 and your ok with spending a few hundred which would it be?