Just purchased a used 2008 Mini S as my first car and was wondering what would be the best CAI to install as first mod?

Couldn't find a new user sub forum so this is gonna serve as my intro too so hello all

 

Actually, stock is pretty hard to beat. If you want a different look or possibly sound there are a lot to choose from. I wouldn't put too much stock into claimed HP figures some may offer. DOS is one that may actually be an improvement. Good luck.

Oh. and welcome to NAM!!

 

There isn't a best one. Pick whatever one you like the most. Just read all the info on each site about them and choose from there.

 

I am using a couple different ones.

A DDM Works Street Kit on my wife's 2010 MCS




and a NM Engineering carbon fiber Hi-Flow Induction Kit on my 2009 MCS.



The ALTA CAI is popular as well. It just boils down to personal preference and your wallet.

 

I have a Defenders of Speed CAI on mine. I have noticed an improvement in gas mileage and better mid-range torque (at least it feels that way) along with the AWESOME swooosh sound of the blow off valve.

 

Another thing to worry about when you do get an intake is which strut bar you'll get, if you do get one.

Originally had a JCW strut bar, but then had to sell it because my Megan Racing Coilover adjustment ***** were getting in the way of its fitment. Well after I got a M7 strut bar, I bought a DDM Works Race intake and realized the stupid housing that goes around the intake got in the way of the strut bar. Cut a notch out of the DDM housing, but decided I'd go another route, which leads me to say, the DOS intake is the best for the R56. Truly is a work of art.

 

IMO an intake is an intake....want cooler temps? Get a bigger front mount

 

It a subjective decision. I'm running the NM set up, and very happy with it. Great quality. This might help:





-Steven

 

I don't always look at deceiving dyno plots of CAIs. But when I do, I make sure to look at NM-engineerings and Alta's.

If you use the search function, you'll find SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much info on this already.

 

IMHO, CAI's are truly a waste of money...the stock assembly IS a cold air intake. Anything that is an open element is subject to heat soak and will only decrease performance.

If you want the sound, an open filter is for you, if you are putting performance ahead of everything, I'd suggest a FMIC. The price of some of these hot air filters is just ludicrous. I use a K&N drop in filter just so I could save money instead of buying paper filters. Picked up 2 MPG which is a plus.
Intake temps are either at ambient or +5. When heat soak sets, recovery time is fast...temps plummet, open filter never truly recover from this. I've played around with this using a scangauge. Numbers bested all the open filters hands down.

IMO stock is best, spend your money on something worthwhile,
But at the end of the day it's your decision

 

There is no true cold air intake for the R56 and the stock is surely not a CAI by any stretch. It might be a fresh air but not a CAI. If you want a true CAI it needs to be either out of the engine bay or more insulated than the stock box. Plus like stated by Hyland if you want colder temps in you intake charge get a larger inter cooler that is where it is at.

 

+1

I think you could actually lose HP with some of the CAI or HAI.

It is quite hard not to equate louder sound with increased HP or responsiveness.

 

If the stock intake is getting ambient or within 5 degrees to ambient, I'd qualify that as a good enough intake...Cold air. It's sourcing air from outside the car.
Good way to improve/help this is wrap the assembly with gold reflective heat film

Now add water/meth, you can run the car hard all day in desert heat...but that's a whole different animal haha.

Basically to the OP, your best bet is a FMIC as some of us have stated here.

 

Probably the best one is the JCW

http://www.waymotorworks.com/jcw-int...6-r55-r57.html

 

^agreed, you get more surface area with the cylinder shaped filter then a panel
and it's in a closed environment.

Wish the JCW intake for N18's were that way, they just use a panel filter

 

I'm currently running the JCW intake on my DD Clubman S. If you want to go cheaper look at the DDM Street intake.

 

DoS takes the air from out of the engine compartment.

FMIC is a very good choice.

 

Yes it does, one of the few that do....but ~$400 is pretty steep for an intake

 

I made my own intake a month ago and I made some observations during the assembly, and I have to tell you that if you are not planning to make any more power increase modifications, you will not see or notice an increase in power only from the filter or CAI. At least not something equal to the money you will spend. Also I will say to stay away from open filters (that use the hot air near the engine). I dont know what the dynos say but you will see a decrease in responsivness at low rpm if the air temerature is above 90 degrees F (maybe and in lower temps). The air temps between the stock airbox and open filters can be more than 10 degrees even at high speeds with full open scoop. I would advice you to stay with the current box, or if you want to make the mod, take a high flow replacment filter. Spend your money elsewhere.

 

I agree with the others that any open element intake is a step backwards. These engines run HOT. A sealed intake is the way to go.

I'm looking to get this one for my wife's* '09 Mini Cooper S:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...rom-aem-5.html

The price is right, and they seem to have done ALL of their engineering homework , not just some back alley dyno testing:

http://www.aemintakes.com/dynocharts...1-699-AITS.pdf

http://www.aemintakes.com/news/news.aspx?ID=3868

I had no idea that a CAI manufacturer had C.F.D. capability and did onboard data acquisition and temperature testing almost like what I've done for the OEMs.

*Too bad she insisted on buying an automatic.

 

I haven't opened my intake up yet, but for my 2011 JCW with the N14 engine, is it safe to assume that the cylindrical shaped filter is not in there and that it's just a paper panel filter?

If so, would anyone be able to point me to which K&N drop in cylindrical filter would work?

Thanks!

 

I'm almost certain you have this

http://www.waymotorworks.com/jcw-int...6-r55-r57.html

but I could be wrong, best bet is to just take a peek to be 100% sure

 

Looks like a good company but they don't list the MINI as an option in their search section....

 

my butt dyno says the DOS does not perform as well as the stage one JCW (cone filter type, more of a cylinder shaped thing really )

 

How does rain affect it? Wouldn't water get into the whole system?