I realize there are minimal gains when switching out the oem drop in filter, I was just curious if there are any opinions on the aFe Magnum Force Pro Dry S vs the K&N. I'm pretty sure there would be little to no difference, just checking.

I have a r60 MCS.

 

I can't speak of the K&N, but I have the AFE dry filter and I love it. The car sounds so much cooler. You can actually hear the turbo spin up. There is no oil on the filter, so you don't have to worry about mucking up the mass air flow sensor. I think that's the real advantage of the AFE pro dry.

 

I was actually leaning toward the AFE

Thanks chini for helping out the new guy!

 

Not too many responses to this thread, which basically tells me there probably really isn't much difference in a drop in dry filter. I just ordered the aFe, so I will comment on the "audible" differences.....if any....that I can detect after I pop it in. I will probably end up going for the NM CAI down the road, but a drop in filter is so easy and inexpensive I figured I'd try it out.

 

Have the aFe Pro Dry. Don't notice any difference between that and the OEM filter. I would like more sounds from the intake. Probably going to have to wait for the DoS.

 

Thanks Hujan. I see your name popping up on many of the "mod Cooper s drivetrain" threads I've gone through and I've gained a lot of respect for your comments. I ordered the exact same filter, and should have it this week. Even if there is absolutely no sound diff, I think it's still a good idea to help the n18 "breath" a bit better.

I'm also getting the Helix FMIC in the next few months. Would you expect that to have any effect on the sound of the aFe?

 

Thanks, normtrum. I appreciate the compliment. I've learned a lot from others in a short time and just hope to help others going forward.

I agree that the aFe drop in is a useful upgrade, especially if you have a higher flow exhaust setup (which helps you take advantage of the higher flow filter) and/or a tune (which needs more air).

Aside from an open filter, perhaps the biggest thing you can do for turbo noise IMO is to replace the muffler on the OEM hotside pipe. I did that at the same time I swapped out my intercooler. Since I did them at the same time, I suppose I can't say for sure it was the pipe and not the intercooler (or the combination). But given that the OEM pipe has a muffler, I suspect that the pipe and not the intercooler is the reason for the additional turbo noises I hear. I can hear a very discernible whine now when I have the radio off. I did not notice that before swapping the pipe.

 

Exactly what I'm planning on doing when I switch over to the Alta. I will be getting a tune....as soon as NM figures out the later ECU/auto transmission obstacle....so I will be changing the "hot side" pipe as well to take advantage of the "stage 2" tune. I think you contributed to the conversation that a Cooper s will not gain anything by switching out the "cold side" pipe. At this point I don't plan on changing my exhaust, so any and all sound enhancements will be coming from these changes.

 

Correct. The cold-side pipe is a moot point now on the N18 engine. MINI did away with whatever limitation they once had on the cold-side pipe.

For performance, the only bolt ons that will really do anything are an exhaust (as free-flowing as possible) and an intercooler. Everything else is mostly just human factors (sounds, throttle response, shifting response, etc.).

From a pure performance standpoint, I would pick an intercooler over an exhaust. Sounds like you're on the right track!

 

Thanks again Hujan.

The funny part about ANY mods I'm doing is the r60 MCS isn't even my car! Technically it's my wife's! Still....I can't help myself! Believe me my wife could care less about any of this stuff. She has always wanted a mini....so I got her one. I have a e90 335i, so you can probably see why I like to mod so much!

 

My K&N panel filter makes a nice BOV sound. Not as loud as my old cone filter but when I accelerate hard, it can be heard.

 

+1 for the aFe. Put it in as soon as I got home with mine. Chose it over the K&N because of the oil issues I read about on this forum.

As for the sounds from under the hood I had nothing to compare it to after install.

Good luck!

 

Thanks guys!

 

I also have the aFe filter, enjoying the dry filter. I had the VIP CAI installed but oiling the filter so close to the MAF sensor kept me on edge.

 

That's why I plan to wash it and then keep it dry! I'm gonna do this before I get my tune. My DDM intake had the filter oiled, freaked me out!

 

So...a noob question....the problem with the "oiled" filters is that they have the potential to block the MAF sensor....here is the noob part....what is the main problem that can arise from this?

 

After doing a quick google search, one problem that can arise is that the MAF sensor reports not enough air coming in and adds less fuel to the mix as a result. Too much added fuel over normal values returns a CEL (as far as I understand after skimming this article).

Look at this link for more info about a fouled MAF sensor: MAF sensor fouling

 

Wow....good link. I didn't realize the issues that can arise from a simple paper filter. It even explained how to properly clean the MAF sensor.

Thanks!

 

No problem however doing this research is making me reconsider my decision to buy a K&N oiled filter...:P

 

Why don't you buy the K&N panel filter, it's like $48 and the aFe one is $75 or more. Wash the K&N filter and don't put oil, essentially it's the same thing. You just saved yourself the bucks for a torque arm insert or towards a sway bar or whatever you choose. Like I said previously, before I get my tune, I will clean the filter and I will have a dry K&N filter.

 

I actually picked up the aFe pro dry for $54.95 at Horsepowerfreakes in Portland (online). I would have been fine with the K&N however.

 

Good steal! Wish I would have known about that, oh well lol.

 

You know I actually should have posted that price earlier....maybe would have helped you out. I'm one of those guys that finds exactly what they want....do my research, then google like crazy to find the best price. I also google the company I'm buying it from to make sure they're reputable. Being in the pacific NW I already knew about HPF. they have some great options for superchargers in the M3 platform.

 

Here's a top tip: hang on to your old filter. The AFE Pro Dry takes a long time to dry if you wash it. You can put in your old filter whilst the other one is drying. I cleaned mine out a couple of days ago and it's still not dry. There is a lot of surface area in this filter! I think you can get by with just vacuuming it most of the time anyway.

 

Good tip!