Added the VIP intake this weekend. Picked one up 'pre-loved' from a forum member and it was in amazing condition.

Install took about an hour or so, taking my time. Parts fit very well, no jamming things to make them fit or anything.

While it does not offer the same primal scream of an intake on an R53, at least I can now hear that there is a turbo under the hood. Get on it hard and you can hear it spool and 'blow off'. Turn up the radio a little and drive like a normal person and no one is the wiser. And yes, the BOV/Recirc valve does make the noise on an automatic...lift your foot up off the gas and it blows off.

Does not seem to have a huge increase in power, and I am OK with that. I know that it is a system, and some exhaust work would be next. For me, the R60 was just too damned quiet for me! The intake fixes that.

As for the 'Cold Air Debate' - whatever. I can say that after running it for a while and opening the hood I can put my hand on the heat shield over the intake with out burning it (I am a trained professional - do not try this at home). So, take that for what it's worth.

Overall great mod!

 

Thanks for posting. I am debating between the VIP and the DoS intake at the moment. From what I have gathered they both perform essentially the same function, with the VIP being louder and the DoS potentially producing more power.

I am in your boat with regards to the Countryman being way too quiet.

 

Potentially is right. I STILL have yet to see a proven dyno with the DoS. Not sure what the holdup is, as if it is the only true CAI and it does have significant gains, I'd sure want to flaunt it.

 

I know this sounds crazy, but as long as I didn't lose power I was happy. (and here we see the side effects of aging...just can't be bothered to chase every last HP!

FWIW, VIP has been very responsive to calls and emails with questions about their products, as well as sending me instructions for the intake I bought used just a few hours.

I have not purchased anything from DoS, or contacted them for anything at this point.

Good luck guys!

 

I really wish Clint would open up shop again at DOS or at least give a reason why he's not up and running yet. It was supposed to be Nov. And now it's almost January. Strange!

 

Yeah I'm starting to worry that something unfortunate happened to him.

 

+1 to the VIP intake. I've been running it for a while and the additional sound is great. Throttle response *seems* to be improved but definitely no noticeable power increase, if so not much.

I do get a bit of whistle from the intake in the higher RPMs under acceleration, nothing awful, but you definitely hear it.