I've been in the market for an upgraded intercooler and I wanted to see if anyone on here had bit the bullet and bought one of the eBay intercoolers. I was comparing photos between the FORGE and the eBay one, it looked like the build quality is pretty much on par with one another; could these eBay ones be unbranded FORGE intercoolers? The mounting brackets look really close to being the same, the welds look the same, and the overall size looks the same.

FORGE version


eBay version







Has anyone had a chance to compare the two in person?

 

I have the eBay one, it works fine. However, I would choose the forge over the eBay one because it's bar and plate (like stock), and not tube and fin, like the eBay one.

 

I'm no expert but from what I read, the ebay tube and fin flows air better through it to the condenser/radiator which should in turn be less heat soaking from them if they are getting more air.

And they weigh half as much as plate and bar.

I'm debating on if I should have a aftermarket IC on my under warranty MINI. Hate to have MINI say the IC caused a engine problem, even though it probably can't cause an issue but who knows.

 

I do believe that I have that eBay one, I bought it used so I don't 100% know for sure. My mounting tabs didn't line up but that doesn't seem to matter as the tubes hold it in very firmly. It seems to work great. I monitored temps and it would be 4-6 degrees above ambient cruising, then about 10-15 degrees above while under heavy load. Doesn't seem to heat soak while sitting still either.

 

were did you monitor temps ? The dash reads the IAT before the turbo and IC and have nothing to do with the temps entering the intake body.

But I could be wrong.

 

Read it with a scan tool. Sure seemed to be post-turbo as they would instantly jump under boost. I don't think pre-turbo would that. However I could be wrong too

 

Anyone with the eBay IC have trouble fitting it? As in the inlets aren't long enough to reach the stock boost tubes?

 

I fear that my warranty could come back with, your engine overheated because the FMIC blocked the radiator cooling fins. That's what my local dealer techs said to me, it's not going back there unless for recall items or warranty on work done previously.

 

Well, for $150 shipped to my door I'm pulling the trigger and getting this one.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FRONT-AMOUNT...b69564&vxp=mtr

I'll report back with my findings and a datalog from my AP

 

lol that tech isnt very bright.

 

No he isn't and to think he is trained by Mini/BMW, of course even with training that doesn't weed out the ones with no common sense, you're either born with it or you're not.

 

WOW that is cheap ? Damn. I just can't figure out why all those say "MINI COOPER S R56 2007-2012 08 09 10 11"

As far as I know the R55 is the same and also no difference in 2011 or 2012, 2013 ? Is there ?

 

They say 2007-2012 08 09 10 11 just to make sure they get hits on it for all years. And a 2013 is different it has a crash bar that may need to be cut for the intercooler to fit.

 

I used real oem and see no difference in front carrier for 2010 R56 vs 2013 R55.

 

I know the 2013 R56 is different, see the first 2 posts here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...nt-issues.html

Now this should fit an R55 with no issues, they might just not list it. However I would think a 2013 R55 would have the same crash bar.

 

Got confirmation that my intercooler has shipped! It looks like I should have it by Monday and I have tuesday off so its looking like that will be my install day

 

Looking forward to your evaluation.

 

Ok the ALTA is not the forge, the alta is not a stepped IC , the forge and the ebay is and I think would fit fine. When I get some flow I will try it.

 

 

yes please let us know how it goes...i have wondered about this for awhile

 

Yea it might fit just fine, that's just my guess on why these ads might not list 2013 years.

 

And for $150 now it's worth a try, just have to decide if I will since I'm under warranty for 3.5 more years .

 

So many here have tried crap generic parts from eBay because they want to cheap out on their Mini.... SO many failures. Poor Minis. Save your money for quality. For those of you that want to mod but worry about warranty..... DON'T MOD! Go all in or stay out.

 

I can agree with this. You get what you pay for.

Sent from my iPad using NAMotoring

 

Sadly... Word.

Oh, and my Mini is slightly modified too!