I got the BMP/Promini intake a couple months ago after using a K&N drop-in. It's VERY nice sounding (check out Motoringfile for a Quicktime), but seemed to lose a little zoom compared to the K&N. I prefer the growl have kept it in... for now ; )

 

If anyone wants to sell their stock airbox (well I just need the top but I'll buy the whole thing if needed) please let me know and how much you'd want for it.....Thanks!!!

 

I've got the aFe as well. If you have an 05-06 R50, make sure you get the heat shield that has been altered at the base. There was an issue with it rubbing against the wiring for the reverse light switch on the transmission cover. The new heat shield works like a charm.

Before the aFe, I had a K&N drop in filter. It had no effect on power or gas mileage. In fact, I think my gas mileage got worse. I opted for the aFe, because it was recommended by a few friends. Power and mileage did increase slightly and it does sound awesome on the higher revs.

Is it a true CAI? No. Even though there is a heat shield, I'm sure it's pulling warm air in. The one advantage that it has over a stock box is the the air flow is much less restricted.

The ideal CAI for me was on my 04 Cooper, the JCW Sound Kit air box. Unlike the stock air box, it not only drew cold air from the front, but also from the cowl. Plus it sounded tough.


Sounds like you broke the tabs on the lid. That's pretty common with that design. I had one from my 04, but I gave it to a local guy who had broken his.

 

I have a K&N 57i cone filter. It's not a CAI because the filter just sits there where the airbox used to be.

Does the stock box take advantage of cold air? Most likely, because all the air comes in from the intake over the grill. But the cone filter setups have greater surface area and the air doesn't have to make any turns as it does in the grill-to-airbox route, enabling the cone to pull in more ambient air as needed.

I feel that I gained a few hp with this filter. I also know I picked up a coupla more mpg if I don't put my foot into it all the time, because the sound is wonderful when you do.

The sound of the cone-type filters is worth the extra $$ to me. A K&N drop in is anywhere from $40 to 60. I got the 57i for $169. People spend more than that difference on a shift ****, for god-sakes! So yes, it's worth it to me.

Zip

 

Unless there is a sealed air box around the cone filter, it would seem to me that loss of the pressurized effect on the stock air box from forward motion would be lost, reducing the air flow compared to stock.

Speaking of that, can you put a cone filter inside the stock air box. Haven't looked at mine lately, don't want to break the hold down tabs, (again).

 

With its sharp bends, I'm not sure that the 'pressurized effect' of the MINI's stock airbox is any more beneficial than the greater volume of air that passes through the unencumbered cone. Just because more air is 'forced' into an opening doesn't necessarily mean that that air is being used in the most efficient way possible.

Induction tracts are finely tunable. For years, sportbike designers experimented with air intakes in the front fairings to force more air into the system. Not all of them were as successful as others, and that was with a straighter shot than the 90 degree bend of the MINI's snorkel.

Also, don't forget that there are multiple interrelated factors that figure into the air intake before it even gets to where its mixed with fuel: air temp and density, the path it takes, and filter material and porosity.

This is just a start. But hopefully it conveys the idea that 'one' factor is not necessarily going to improve or worsen things independent of other factors, and what may work on a system of one design may not work as well on even a slightly different system.

As far as a cone filter in the stock airbox: the stock ab is made to fit a particular panel filter. I wouldn't think a cone would fit without modification to the ab. And again, the purpose of a cone is to remove the restriction of air coming only from one inlet. It can draw more air from around all sides of the filter.

Zip

 

If the cone filter has more surface area than a panel filter it would be an improvement in the stock air box. The inlet air at 30-40, 60-80, or whatever mph would certainly provide cooler outside air to more than one side of the cone.

 

Y'see, not necessarily. I don't have definitive answers for this, but the questions are intriguing.

The shape of the intake, with its narrow 90 degree bend, may not supply enough any-temperature air for the cone filter to fully take advantage of. If it's not getting enough air, then the reason for using it is defeated.

And for what its worth, I wouldn't put a cone filter in a box because I love the sound it makes at full-honk. But that's me.

True CAIs have a barricade around the cone that is supposed to allow cooler air to make its way into and through the filter. Does this do any real good? I don't know.

We can all offer anecdotal evidence and comparisons re how well our stock and aftermarket systems perform. But I guess what we need here, to get any real answers, is a series of tests with different filters and filter systems on the same single car, under the same ambient test conditions.

Zip

 

[QUOTE=dickdavid;1943461]I've got the aFe as well. If you have an 05-06 R50, make sure you get the heat shield that has been altered at the base. There was an issue with it rubbing against the wiring for the reverse light switch on the transmission cover. The new heat shield works like a charm.

Funny you should mention the aFe issues for '05-'06 R50's, as I'm about to order one from ProMini - I'll be sure to ask them if it's been appropriately altered to fit my '06! DickDavid - how can I tell by looking at the heat shield that I've got the right one? Thanks a million!

 

I agree, I'd like to see a contolled test on this. Intuitively, it's hard for me to believe that a normally aspirated 1.6 liter engine could need more air than that provided by the stock air inlet, with the help of the wind force produced by the motion of the vehicle.

Like you said though, it's a neat sound.

 

A normally aspirated 1.6 liter engine with fuel injection that will compensate for increased air intake. If you allow a greater flow of air, then the FI will compensate (up to a point) with more fuel, resulting in better performance. It's the ol' 'engine is air pump' analogy. The more you can put in, the more you can get out.

Of course, this may be a function of the filtration material itself and not the airbox. My last car, a Monte Carlo, ran a touch more spiritedly with a K&N replacement panel filter in the stock airbox.

Zip

 

You would be correct DickDavid....well I didn't break it but I had some help after some repair work was completed on the car....again if any of you guys buying some type of CAI are looking to offset some of your costs,, sell me your stock box setup!!!!

Thanks!!

 

summeroflove,

I was working with DickDavid and a few others on the aFe intake issue. You only need to worry about it if you have a manual tranny.

Basically the "modified" aFe heatshield for the 05/06's will have the lower left/rear corner of the heatshield cut off. This does allow for a little more "hot air" to enter (it's about a 1.5 sq. in. area), but also allows the reverse light switch to remain untouched.

I can't say I feel anything significant in terms of horsepower. What I do feel is a (ever so slight) bump in throttle response, and when climbing the mountains here in Colorado, the lil' 1.6 pulls a little further into the RPM's. But that's it.

Hopefully that helps!

- Al

 

I have bought original parts from www.pelicanparts.com at very reasonable prices. Usually I go to http://www.realoem.com/bmw/ and find the part number then go to Pelican with the part number.
I'd sell you mine, but it will go back in before trade-in.

 

Just installed a DDM unit on mine a week ago. Comes with a heat shield but like the others it's open at the top, even though with the hood closed it's almost enclosed, not a true CAI, does seem to have alittle better throttle response, and with my Megan exhaust can't hear it sucking air unless I have the hood open..Checking gas milage this week just to see if it changes any one way or the other..

First tank of gas, didn't notice any change in MPG.

Ok, Mid January in NC and was riding with top down today!!!! That alone is a big thums-up. Can hear the DDM sucking air, not loud, does sound kinda cool though..

 

just installed the aFe on my 2003 R50. can't comment yet but on revving it up does sound nice. weird thing was though, after i first installed and cranked engine it started as normal BUT, when i went hit the accelerator pedal NOTHING! i panicked. restarted. same thing. next i put in in revers (i have the CVT) and gave it a little gas and then it was fine. now it works as normal.

anyone experienced that? maybe it's a cvt thing but, i've never heard fo it after all my research. so heads up if this happens to you. just put in reverse and give a little gas.

anyhow, i'll have had all 3 types of filtration on the MINI. stock, k&N drop in and now afe CAI. so we'll see. didn't notice a big difference w/ the k&n drop in.

FWIW it was pretty easy to install but, the back bolt was little bit of a pain to do without unplugging things if you don't have a decent length extension i would get one.