This question has probably been hammered to death, but a quick search didn't bring up results I was interested in.
I'm finally getting around to buying an intake and wanted to hear which brand is most recommended. As it stands right now I've been thinking about the Alta. I have mixed thoughts on this, but I guess I'm more into the HP gain than the sound...so please keep that in mind when recommending one. Also, the rest of the car is stock...so hp gain will be minimal either way.


Thanks for the help!
-Andy

 

Many will chime in with the brand they have, mostly to validate their own purchase. First off a CAI will not add much HP with no other mods. In the long run as you add other mods it will help by allowing the engine to breathe better. Most any of the CAI choices on the market for a Mini are a good choice. Some are louder then others, the Alta is generally noted as the loudest one. Look at all the various CAI's offered. Some have added features to make them more user friendly, some are a royal PITA to do routine maintenance, some look OEM, there is quite the variety. Be sure to look at the total package as some don't include a hose or a top. In the end you can't go wrong with any of the ones currently on the market.

As a data point, I use the Craven Speed CAI. Why, I like the fact the top is opaque so I can see when to clean the filter. I like that it is a complete box and not just a top fit on the OEM base. I like that it fit under my M7 strut bar with no modifications. I like that due to it's construction I was easily able to wrap it entirely in a heat resistant coating. I don't like that I have to remove the strut bar to clean the filter. I'm also not really happy that on the track the top has tendency to slip off center.

 

Thanks for the reply gnatster. That kind of answer is quite helpful. Yeah, I figured people would chime in with their own brand. Perhaps a more meaningful question would be...are there any known CAI that I should stay away from?

It's interesting that the Craven is roughly the same price as the Alta...but does not include a hose. Yet, you get a top for it. Hmm...worth it? Not having to change the hose would probably simplify installation quite a lot. Having looked at the hose on the Cooper S, that lower hoseclamp looks like it's very hard to get to. I've been kind of worried about that.

-Andy

PS. I guess it is meaningful to add that I'm putting this in a Cooper S.

 

I've had both the Dinan and the DDM. It's hard to fault the Dinan since it's an OEM type replacement, but it sure is quiet. If all performance numbers are somewhat comparable, it comes down to fit, finish, noise levels, etc. That is personal preference so it would be hard to say which to get.

 

Just purchased the Alta. :-) V2. :-)

They're shipping it FedEx Ground and I work at the FedEx Ground sorting facility so I'll get to pick it up early on the day of delivery! Yay! :-)

-Andy

 

I have the Dinan CAI, and I hear it screaming all the time. But I heard Altas have a nice CAI, congrats.

 

I love the noise from my Alta CAI. It only gets better after a pulley.

 

Me luvs my JCW!

 

I know this is kinda old, but what about M7's one? The one that basically bolts the filter right onto their throttle body? Yes, this in the one that their old AGS aluminum tube used. It's just that I routed the piping back to the original location in back cause I'm still kinda scared to put it right up front where would be more apt to get rain water.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

There isn't a big gain difference between any of the top choices... I watched videos on youtube to hear the sound of different CAI's on the mini's. The one from promini.com was my choice over all. Looks good and screams like a banshee!

 

Gnatster was right as there is no big gain in any of them. Mostly sound and looks are the big things. I have the Mini-Madness one and like the "looks" of it. Really that and the one or two hp you get are what it is about.

 

The M7 one is supposedly pretty difficult to install, and I remember people saying it was pretty darn loud, probably the loudest. I don't quite remember exactly, but I think some versions include replacing the throttle body along with the intake.

To be honest I don't think you can go wrong with any of them, maybe a few people feel the ALTA is too loud, others say they like the supercharger whine (myself included). I think more than anything else the biggest difference I felt was slightly improved throttle response, the rest was all in the ears.

 

I have the Alta, noticed some throttle response gains and a couple hp, nothing dramatic but noticeable. Install was pretty easy as well. I like seeing the filter so I remember to clean it (which it currently needs, come to think of it...). A couple guys in my club have the Alta with a strut bar, and it works OK. It's not obnoxiously loud, but is noticeable. Sounds just like the Minis in the more recent Italian Job movie, but is quiet enough (and un-juvenile enough) for driving a business colleague to lunch.

Some Altas have a bit of a whistle at very small throttle openings (*just* over "cruising" throttle). It can get anoying, or you get used to it. Don't know if this occurs on other CAIs as well, as you'll lose some noise dampening as soon as you enlarge the hole facing the passenger box.