Hello Everyone,

Does anyone know what kind of performance difference there is between the Dinan CAI and other CAI's such as Alta?

I like the look of the Dinan, but I keep hearing mixed reviews about Dinan products. Does anyone have the straight scoop on this?

Thanks - Steve

 

Not to hi-jack your thread but what does the Dinan intake look like?

 

I personally belive that there is not enough difference between any CAI or Exhaust that will ever justify you not getting what you like...for instance if one exhaust make 3 more HP and or TQ than another...what does that matter if you don't like the look and more importantly the sound....get what you like! unless it's free then you can just be happy you have it! LOL

 

i've heard that the dinan's filter element cannot be reused. alta's foam element just need a little unifilter spritz.

they're both very expensive, but the dinan will probably keep you better protected from stingy dealerships trying to deny you warranty coverage cause of a CAI.

i personally use an alta, mostly because i bought it used for relatively cheap.

if you're not a stickler for the "look", i would suggest the HAI. all the sound, all the flow, all the performance, all at 1/5 the price (of a new alta).

 

I have the Alta, and have not regretted it one second. The sound it makes is unbeatable (provided that you love hearing your supercharger, and want to hear much more of it's signature whine). I have also had no issues with the dealership regarding the Alta, but I guess each dealership is different.

Yeah, the Alta is on the higher side regarding price, but once you see it in your engine bay, and more importantly, when you hear it, you'll never think about the money you spent for it. It's worth every penny, and good for at least 9 MENTAL horsepower. Can't say enough good things about it.

 

It looks very much like the stock airbox. If you live in a state like mine, where you have to have your car tested every couple of years, this may pass inspection without being looked at too closely.

 

Tuls is right. Intakes don't make much power on this car anyway. Go by look and sound.

 

I've had them both ... six of one ... a half dozen of the other. Although the ALTA is louder if that means anything.

ftbt

2004 X3 -3.0, silver metallic, premium, auto, moon-roof, etc.

2005 Works Cooper S Convertible, DS-w- White Bonnet Stripes, Sn. 6808 + Clear Bra.

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, + '05 JCW upgrade; DS/W; Sport + Premium + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

 

keep in mind dinan intake does not void the warranty.

 

Not exactly accurate. Dinan has its own warranty. The only catch is: You have to take your car to a MINI (BMW) dealer that is also a Dinan dealer. If you break-down and the nearest dealer isn't a Dinan dealer ... guess what???

ftbt

2004 X3 -3.0, silver metallic, premium, auto, moon-roof, etc.

2005 Works Cooper S Convertible, DS-w- White Bonnet Stripes, Sn. 6808 + Clear Bra.

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, + '05 JCW upgrade; DS/W; Sport + Premium + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

 

Keep in mind also that most dealers will still do warrantied work with an intake.:smile:

 

Of course they will. If your transmission goes out or your dash board has a sqeak or rattle, most dealers could care less about your intake. However, if you had a some sort of engine - mechanical issue that could even be remotely related to an after-market intake, I would be prepared to either start quoting chapter and verse from the Magnuson-Moss Act or just reinstall the factory intake before I took the car into the dealer and made a warranty claim. (However, when I upgraded to the Works intake, my dealer simply removed my ALTA and installed the Works intake.)

ftbt

2004 X3 -3.0, silver metallic, premium, auto, moon-roof, etc.

2005 Works Cooper S Convertible, DS-w- White Bonnet Stripes, Sn. 6808 + Clear Bra.

2002 Works Cooper S, Sn. 1165, + '05 JCW upgrade; DS/W; Sport + Premium + H Sport Springs, Competition Front & Rear Sway Bars, Rear Camber Control Arms + 17" Team Dynamics Pro Race 1's; 215-45-17 Kumho MX's + AP Racing Formula Big Brakes, XDrilled Rotors, Goodridge SS Lines + Clear Bra + Cobra Daytonas + Schroth Harnesses and a full tank of 100 octane ... life is good!

 

i love my Alta, never heard the dinan so i can't say much about it. my local dealer (Motor City MINI) is very stingy about warranty issues, but they've never said a word about my Alta.

 

I see.. Sorry for the confusion. I'm new!

 

True. HOWEVER, except for dealers that give attitude over any mod, I can't think of any situation where the intake could even theoretically have a remote possibility of being the cause.