Cold Air Intake - No Good Ones Available

[2002Silver4.6is]

I want to put a Cold Air Intake on my X. I have done a lot of research into what is currently available. The models available are the Dinan, AFE, Gruppe M or just using a K & N air filer.

Dinan - The Dinan intake is a sealed box that uses supplied sheet metal for the top, back (over the wheel well) and the side facing the engine compartment. It does not make use of the stock oem air scoop that is located on top of the radiator. The stock scoop is disconnected and it lets the air go into the engine compartment.

My problem with the Dinan system is that it in fact does not have a good source of getting fresh air. The only air that gets into the box is from around the fog light or the headlight. The bottom of the X is pretty closed off in the front with plastic underneath to smooth air flow. An option would be to modify a Dinan intake to integrate the stock oem air scoop. The only issue with this is that a line to the radiator is directly in the path from the stock scoop to where it would best connect on the Dinan air box.

While price is not one of the main factors in my decision, it really is amazing that they have the balls to charge $650 for this system. It consists merely of 4 pieces of sheet metal and an air filet. It should cost $150!!!

AFE - Very good design, basically based on the stock air box with an open element. It does incorporate the stock air scoop via an open "L" shaped section of the air box that goes under the outlet for the air scoop.

My problem with the AFE design is that I do not have a lot of faith in it being a closed system being that it utilizes the hood to close the air box. I also think the box should be a bit larger to handle the flow of air. Additionally, must admit I do not love the look of the AFE system. It is growing on me though.

Gruppe M - Aside from the $1,000 price tag it does not seem to be much of a cold air intake system. It is simply a carbon fiber cover over an open element that is supposed to shield the elemant from the hot engine compartment air. It is similar to the Dinan system in so far as it gets its supply of air from the area in front of the wheel well.

I have looked at the Hamann website and it seems that utilize the stock air box on their modified engines. I find that strange but that is how it appears from the pictures. I cannot find any images of what AC Schnitzer utilizes. I have even checked out the intake on the 12 cyl X5 Lemans but it just seems too complicated to make it work on a 4.6is.

I know a lot of the users on here really like their AFE intakes. I really do think it is a good design as far as the physics of the air flow. I just think it does not quite meet the standards of a BMW (I do not mean to offend anyone. This system really is growing on me!!!)

I think if more of the Dinan owners knew what their intake was really like they would not be so thrilled with it. I do not understand why Dinan did not incorporate the stock air scoop into their design. If you really want to make this system a cold air intake you could always remove the fog light and get a nice source of air!

The K&N air filter is also an alternative but I do think it is more restrictive than the open element systems.

The other option is a nice old fashioned NHRA type air scoop on the hood!!!! I welcome any and all opinions!!

Dinan Cold Air Intake

[Sudesh]

Have you any details or a link on the 12 cylinder lemans intake? Would like a nosey to see if I can get any ideas!!
I'm still working on my DIY intake which will be a true cold air intake when I'm finished totally sealed, and using the original intake air flow and base of the stock system.

[2002Silver4.6is]

Here is what the Lemans X5 intake looks like. Unfortunately I do not have any details on it.

[2002Silver4.6is]

Does anyone have the Gruppe M intake? How do you like it? Does it duct any cold air into the intake? It appears as I described above to just be a cover over the open element and not a true cold air intake.

[Sudesh]

Originally Posted by 2002Silver4.6is

Does anyone have the Gruppe M intake? How do you like it? Does it duct any cold air into the intake? It appears as I described above to just be a cover over the open element and not a true cold air intake.

I had one on my e39 540 which is just about the same as the X5 and no it doesnt duct any cold air into the system, and its not a sealed unit.

[2002Silver4.6is]

Has anyone done any different setups?