I did the first mod on my 06 MINI Checkmate (non-s ) and I am totally hooked on the new low growl and feel of the car when I step on the pedal. This is a new setup for Flowsource that I truely am happy with. A very easy install too .

 

Wow, that's different! What did you pay for it, if you don't mind me asking?

 

Under $200 which included an extra filter and some other neat freebees. Unsure if they'll keep that debut pricing.

 

I've got the aFe on our Cooper test mule... I like the fit a whole lot better than the Promini intake it replaced. Sound's about the same and I'm certain the performance is likewise equal...

 

I bought the aFe CAI but have yet to install it since my MC is still in the dealer with an electrical opportunity. I can't say enough about the customer service from FLOWsource - really, really super. They even emailed me a couple of days ago to ask how I liked their product. A vendor asking a customer how they liked their purchase - how often have you heard of that happening? Along with the CAI they sent some car care products, a hat, some stickers and filter cleaning supplies.
I recommend FLOWsource if for no other reason than their excellent service. I will let you all know about the product when (if) I ever get my MINI back.

 

the only thing is:
is it really a CAI? it looks as if it is just getting air from the engine bay, would it really be better then just a K&N drop in filter??

 

The filter itself is directly infront of the opening where air was orginal let into the stock filter box. So its still getting alot of "cold" air from the outside, as well as air from the engine bay.

 

ooo...can't see that in the pics

 

I almost bought one of these for $129 off the net. Then I looked at my stock airbox and decided it's likely that the pressurized air, (from the sealed airbox and the forward motion of the car), would be better for power than an unsealed box drawing both cold and hot air, even if it has a cone filter on it.

Of course I could be wrong. A dyno test would be inconclusive because the car would not be moving and benefiting from the increased airflow as speed increases, especially with the sealed, stock airbox.

 

I replaced a K&N drop-in filter with the aFe Intake last week and the difference is HUGE. The sound is much different and the power difference is very noticeable. Plus it took all of 20 minutes to install! Great mod and great customer service from Flowsource!!

 

I've had one of these for at least a year now and I like it.....one of the few mods I've tried and kept. The heat shield does pretty well. It's not a 100% seal but it's pretty close. Even when the car isn't moving most of the air comes from outside the engine bay.

 

SonicVI did the same mod for his 06 MC, but had to modify it to fit (it wasn't designed for the later model R50s).

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=68103

Did you have to do any modifying to make it fit or was it a direct bolt on to your 06? If so, where did you get it?

 

It was a direct bolt on, with no modifications at all. Took more time removing the stock intake than putting in the aFe. You can pick it up from FlowSource at https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=83638

 

Thanks! I just got a PM from them. It's on the top of my list for this holiday!!!

 

It's $143 from here with free shipping:

http://www.hyperformanceauto.com/basket.aspx

 

Thanks for the heads up, but the only one I see available on their site is the 02-04 MC version not the 05-06. Great price though.

I just found out PROMINI offers the aFe for the 05-06 MC for $145, but they aren't offering all the extra goodies that FLOWsource is offering.

PLUS, after taxes (I live in the same state as PROMINI) and shipping, I'm almost to the same price as the FLOWsource. PROMINI does have a pretty good track record with our local club, though. Tough choice, but I've got a month to decide.

 

Well, finally got my MINI back from the dealer to fix a malfunction of the stupid airbag light and installed my FLOWsource aFe air intake. Took all of 10 minutes to do the install. Here it is before the replacement:



and then after:



More photos can be found here: flickr

My impression is that the low-end power has increased and the sound at the higher RPM is very impressive. Keep in mind that I have the CVT, but in manual I was actually able to up to and past red line, probably around 6200 instead of 6000. This may self correct after the ECU adjusts.

As I said in an earlier post, the FLOWsource customer service is top-notch and this product is a very nice mod for my MINI.

Chuck

 

Hey it's on amazon for 149.39

http://www.amazon.com/AFE-Magnum-Int...8&s=automotive

 

Thats a cool intake, mabey on my to-buy list.

 

You may find lower prices than FLOWsource, but keep in mind you get some useful extras in their package deals, including a cleaning/re-oiling kit and a spare filter, and one or two other freebies. Plus the shipping is free and the customer service is outstanding (no, I get no kick-backs from FLOWsource for saying that).

You'll end up paying for a cleaning/re-oiling kit anyway, and the spare filter is a great idea (IMHO).

When you take off your filter to clean it you have to leave the car parked until you wash the filter, let it dry, and re-oil it. If you have a spare you can just swap -- takes one or two minutes -- and then clean/re-oil the dirty filter at your leisure.

 

Hello from FLOWsource,
we just wanted to chime in. Our website is finally alive....

www.FLOWsource.net

 

I am the one from The Netherlands

 

thats what I was thinking.

it has to be alittle better though, its open to more air

 

Doesn't it seem that the stock air box would have a pressure inside the sealed box, expecially at higher speeds, that would increase the air flow though the panel filter, which the unsealed aftermaker filter wouldn't have? Maybe it's offset by the cone filter, but it would seem like a panel filter inside a sealed box, with all the air coming in from outside the engine compartment, would be just as good or better. If it's just the cone filter that supposedly improves air flow, wouldn't it be better to put a cone filter inside the factory air box, (can this be done?), so it only gets outside air?

Of course the increased noise that comes from the fact that the filter isn't sealed in an airbox always makes your MINI seem faster.

 

Has anyone ever tried unscrewing the stock airbox from the filter and driving around with it?? It sounds so sweet! Its funny cause everyone points and looks at you. But do these intakes sound anything like that?