Review so far:
-A bit more audible coming from the JCW cone intake. You certainly hear the turbo spool up more now and you can here the diverter blow off more.
-Not sure its in my head but there seems to be more throttle response on the low end.

 

I replaced my JCW cone filter intake with this new ECS intake. Here are some photos of my install. Pretty much the same as everyone else's. Install was pretty easy. A little tricky getting the two halves to line up at the same time as the split rubber gasket. Other than the missing screw, everything was there. Went to a local shop and got 3 replacement screws so they would all match. They didn't have the button type screw that ECS supplies. My brother helped me out. Due to a recent elbow injury, I wasn't able to be of much help.





I bought this mainly for looks as I didn't think that there could be much improvement over my JCW intake. Seat of the pants says not much has changed. It does have a noticeably louder sound but nothing I can't put up with.

 

Looks so gorgeous in the engine bay with the JCW Strut Tower brace.

 

Yes, very sharp looking. I saw where you have the new carbon fibre fender extensions for the VW GTi. I corresponded with your sales (maybe it was you?) about doing those for the MINI. I think with the VW not having fender extensions like these originally, and having to drill into the sheet metal to install them, you'd probably have a bigger seller if you spent some time developing the same for the MINI. Especially since if you used the original mounting points, there would not be a need to drill those holes. I think you'd sell a good amount of them to those die hard MINI owners.



On the VW these look like add-ons. On the MINI, if done with the right proportions, they'd look more like an evolution of the original. I know a few guys, myself included that would buy a set. Just my 2 centavos...

Oh, also installed the GPII under engine tray as well. Great doing business with you.

 

For those of you who have installed this work of art; is there a chance that you take a short video of it? I'd like to hear how it sounds.

 

Thanks we appreciate it. Really like the GP2 Mods.

Thanks for your input on the wheel arches, possible in the future.

 

After a month and a half of use I can claim an average gain of 2.5-3.5 MPG depending on the amount of city or highway driving I'm doing. This is a nice/unexpected benefit.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the review.

 

Not due to the intake, but the switch from winter blend to summer gas.

However, I take nothing away from this beautiful intake. It will find a away into my bay shortly to replace my previous-owner-installed hot air intake

 

I apologize for asking this if I have missed a detail, is the air filter element a dry unit or is it oiled? I have read that an oiled element is not ideal for the R56 models.

Thanks!

 

No problem fastzombie.

Oiled filters are fine when following the proper oil recharge procedure like K&N or aFe filters We have been running the ECS light oil filter for a while now with no issue.

Also MINI had a factory oiled BMC filter for the R52 R50 Factory JCW Sound Kit and I oiled mine for over 150,000 miles with no issue, following the BMC clean/reoil procedure. Also the JCW Tuning kit for the R56 N18 engine uses a oiled K&N filter I believe.

 

Thanks for the quick reply! I have used oiled filters in my old R53 with no issues and just wanted to double check. I'm new to the R56 and want to ensure I keep it running smoothly as I make some modifications.

Your Carbon Fiber Intake is absolutely gorgeous and looks like an awesome improvement over stock.

Matt

 

Carbon Fiber makes everything more responsive and feel faster!! LOL

 

Well got my CF intake today , but one of the screw holes on the lid is off and I can't get the screw in. I'm not to keen on taking a dremel to my new $500 intake .

Sure was packed nice.

 

It's probably because it's pushing against the circle silicone piece that seals the top and bottom. If you adjust that piece, the holes will line up, guaranteed.

 

No it's hole on opposite end, does not fit even with no filter installed . I sent pucks to ECS.

 

Interesting...must be 1 out of all of us.

 

PM sent rckrzy1
, can help you with the line up and any other issues.

 

After 10+ emails and PM's the final answer is to return the entire INTAKE.
So I will be out $500 for 2-3 weeks or I can send them another $500 and wait a week.

Sorry but this is just not going to happen. It took me an hour to carefully unpack the intake because it was packed like no other. And I bet it would take an hour to repack. Then My time to get it shipped back. I don't have spare time to do this.

They could have simply sent me a new top piece with the hole better positioned but they won't do that.

The fact they said they are test fitted is BS, sorry but no way that happened. It's just got the hole off by 1/16" but CF has NO give.

I'm just going to dremel the hole to fit and find another source for my MINI needs as they are not the only shop online.

It's a shame because I have spent $1k's of dollars at ECS. It seems like they don't believe me even with the dozen or so pictures sent.

This just tops off one of the crappiest weeks I've had , thanks ECS.

 

PM sent rckrzy1,

It will be about 1 week total for the exchange. That is ship to here and we ship it back. We will do this very quickly and get it out to you.

 

Sounds to me like ECS is being reasonable and fair. They do a great job in trying to accommodate their customers and making sure they are completely satisfied. Keep up the great work ECS!

 

Seriously, it took you an hour to unwrap it? Wow...

 

For what's it worth, mine seemed to not line up as I test fit it initially, after spending maybe 10 minutes unwrapping it. After playing around with it for a few minutes I got the hang of it and it lined up perfectly. Install was very easy, taking just a little longer than it took to unwrap! Just curious, but do you guys use a one off mold to make these? In other words, is each custom made so you can't interchange the pieces?

 

I was able to grind with a diamond tip dremel the hole larger , actually took about 1/8" inward to fit.

The issue that upsets me the most is ECS said they test ALL these intakes before selling.

There is no way in hell this intake was tested. Impossible to even start the screw.

 

Have you gotten it on the DYNO with the N18 yet ?