Anyone have and feedback and/or personal experience with this product?

I've ran into pros and cons, so I thought I'd ask my fellow MINI owners.

I'll be ordering this Friday. Unless of course I'm convinced otherwise.

Thoughts?

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Shouldn't need the filter cover.

 

I personally do not care for any of the oil-soaked filters. I prefer factory paper-style filters. I feel that they filter better.

 

Filter covers are for use in VERY DUSTY conditions...so you can clean your filter less than maybe DAILY if you are facing with an exposed filter on a dirt track...like a motorcycle or sand-rail/dunebuggy...
A k&n style filter should be good for about 70,000 miles in most areas...
When I lived in Colorado and would go to dusty areas, I MIGHT need to clean it every 50,000....and that was in a Toyota Tacoma pickup that I would go on dirt roads with....

 

Zippy. What's your take on the K&N product?

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I have a K&N in a box... It's said to be good for 1,000,000 miles... just clean it when you want. The filter costs $50? and the cleaner is $14? Really it wasn't all that dirty but I don't know how long it was since cleaned. (relatively new to me car)

 

I ran the K&N 69-2004 intake on my 2009 Clubman S, which appears to be a very similar design. Butt dyno said it might have added some horsepower at higher RPMs above 4500 or so, maybe 5-10 HP. K&N has a dyno chart, attached. It did add quite a lot of intake whistle when lifting off the throttle which is the primary reason I went back to stock, but it was a good piece, well made. I never had any problems with it and I don't believe that any dirt gets through the filter. The intake tubes were clean when I removed it after around 15,000 miles.

 

Wow!! Neonsteve, you actually went BACK to stock? Hmmmmmmm, what I definitely don't want is for my sexy sounding MINI to sound like one of those Fast and Furious wanna-be Honda Civics, Toyota Tercels, tiny wimpy cars with fat mufflers that make more noise than they actually move. I want my MINI to remain smooth. In other words; if I'm idle, I prefer not to sound like I have an air leak, blown gasket or in need for a trip to Midas.

Thoughts?

 

Your Mini won't turn into a ricer. You won't hear any real difference at idle. It'll be more throaty under acceleration, and you'll only hear a whistle when letting off the throttle when the system is dumping extra boost. Under gentle acceleration and then letting off the throttle you'll hardly hear it at all. Even at its loudest it isn't that bad, but I didn't care for it. If you search my posts from around 6 months ago when I sold my K&N I posted a couple YouTube videos for a potential buyer. I did not make the video but they were pretty accurate.

 

Thanks Neonsteve. I saw the videos and your for sale thread. Looks like you have an S model. Mine is a Justa. 😔

 

Hi David, what are you trying to achieve with the intake? Better performance, mpg?

 

In short, eliminate the lag/delay in throttle response.

I purchased the SprintBooster because I was informed it would correct that. Once installed, it certainly eliminated it but also threw a CEL and cruise control light. I removed and reinstalled (door open five minutes, etc.) and the end result was the same.

Seen here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/qlx5gae22o...%20AM.mov?dl=0

Unfortunately it had to be sent back because it was an older version of this product. Nevertheless, first impressions mean a lot to me so I won't be considering this device again.

Hence, here comes the CAI system (DDM vs. H&N) with the sole objective of achieving better throttle response and hopefully eliminating the annoying lag/delay. I reported it to MINI but they say nothing is wrong with the car.

That's all I want to achieve .... nothing more.

I'm also very aware Zippy is not an S, JCW, BMW, or the like. Not looking to turn her into something she's clearly not. I simply want to "fully" enjoy driving her without that PITA delay in throttle which happens sporadically on take-off. :-(

Regards,
David

 

I understand you had a bad experience, but I think your best solution is the sprintbooster. Make sure they get you the correct one next time and you'll be happy.

 

Can you see if you can drive another R56 Justa? It might be that there is actually something wrong with your car which should be fixed, rather than band-aided with a new intake.

 

According to MINI there's nothing wrong with the car. They checked it twice and said nothing is wrong. An so, driving another MINI would be pointless for two reasons:

1- MINI says nothing is wrong;
2- The phenomenon happens sporadically so what's to say another MINI won't do the same.

It should also be noted other folks have complained

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Customer service at K&N is absolutely stellar. The gentleman I've been in touch with via email even offered me an employee discount to earn my business.

I'm having it shipped over night (will be here Wednesday) for less than what it would cost me had I purchase it at regular price with free shipping (would have arrived early next week).

The kit also comes (confirmed and in writing) with a 30 day 100% satisfaction guarantee. If I'm not 100% happy, I'll receive a full refund (excluding shipping) no questions asked.

All that means I'm SOLD!! 👍👍👍

 

The kit was installed, and installation was a breeze. The unit and all parts that came with it are VERY well constructed. Everything just fits into place spot on.

I had my wife read the instructions while I followed the steps. 45-60 I was done.

Then, my wife and I took Zippy for a test drive.

Here are my observations.

1. A 100% definite improvement in throttle response and much smoother shifting.

2. A slightly deeper sportier sound. For the life of me it almost sounds like the exhaust is different. I know that can't be because I did not do any exhaust work. Regardless, she sounds sportier and solid.

We drove with the windows down, radio off and my wife loves how she sounds now. I had a fear it would be loud, like those Toyota Tercel Fast and Furious wanna-be cars. Not the case at all.
Zippy sounds beefier, deeper and not loud at all.

However, when I push her demanding more throttle, she responds without a moments hesitation and sounds louder than before, but not in an unpleasant or over exaggerated way. Nice, low, smooth and solid sound.

3. Extra HP? If so, very slightly. I'm pretty sure it's not butt dyno, but since that's not what I was looking for, it's a welcomed plus.

4. No CEL at all. Zippy loves her ability to breathe now that she had her tonsils removed.

If I could sum this up, it would be. Zippy is breathing far better now and it shows in more ways than one. TWO thumbs up on the purchase.

Absolutely worth it!!! Here's a pic of her new look.

Cheers!
David

 

Took the interstate on my way to work this morning. One word ..... WOW!!!

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Glad to hear you like it. Thanks for the update.

 

My only hope is Zippy doesn't "self adjust" or some other funky computer phenomenon, and revert back to that PITA hesitation it had before (fingers crossed).

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I'd be careful with those filters. Some dealers will refuse to do warranty work if they take the car apart and find the MAF covered in oil.

 

tell those dealers to stuff it, use some Crc from time to time and don't over oil. Make sure you let it dry after cleaning or you'll be buying a new maf, been there and learned the hard way on my bmw.

 

I actually plan on buying another filter so I can swap filters between cleaning and re-oiling. Besides, what's stopping one from replacing with a dry filter instead?

 

when I have a maf car I'll be switching to a dry filter, luckily r53 used map sensors only.