BMW E46 INTAKE Versus E46 COLD AIR INTAKE

I take a close look at the standard BMW E46 INTAKE and compare it with a Performance E46 COLD AIR INTAKE, and attempt to answer the question - "Is a Cold Air Intake for your E46 just a Myth or a Legend"?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of both systems, why is cold air so important for adding horsepower, and do I still believe that a Cold Air Intake is a good performance mod for your BMW E46?
⭐️ Leave a comment with your opinion of Cold Air Intakes for the E46. YES or No!
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[@migz_e46]

If anyone is thinking of installing an Cold air intake on your M54, Just do it! The sound alone makes it worth it and the response from the engine is far better it just performs better

[@dazzamac70]

A good thought provoking subject and it definitely shows that you've done some extensive research on the matter!!! My thoughts are that the best way to increase your NA engine efficiency in both HP and fuel economy is to help it breathe and to minimise as much heatsink as possible (both inlet and exhaust). Another great video (one of your best to date), keep up the great work!!

[@Sixty4motorsport]

Thanks - much appreciated.

[@justuskeule3077]

I enjoy your videos sooo much! Greetings from germany

[@leeghany5163]

Just great info. Change my mind. Saving up for getting one

[@stonesnell2568]

Love your videos very helpful and informative

[@sksuppressor756]

I've always thought that if the stock air intake system sealed well it would actually work pretty good since it takes air from basically the bumper. I'm sure a CAI is quite a bit less restrictive than the stock design, but I got a CAI either way just to clear up some space and ease of maintenance doing anything on the right side of the engine. I'm DONE fishing up the airbox hooks next to the coolant hose / dipstick haha

[@malleablecurve311]

I had the AFE cold air intake on my 330ci and I took it up an uphill backroad and I noticed I was struggling to accelerate up the hills. I was so fed up I pulled over and put my oem intake back on to finish the drive. While it sounds so much cooler it just wasn't worth the loss in torque

[@vonnutzen987]

Just fit my mishimoto air intake mod today. Nice vid 👍

[@Sintaj.]

Well, for the most part installing a cold air intake on my e46 gave some cool whistling noises and a throatier exhaust note. As for performance I don't know

[@Sixty4motorsport]

Interesting!

[@nikhilwadekar565]

Hahahah

[@samuelcraigrangi]

I have a fibreglass heat shielded one that I’ve fully insulated with industrial foam foil insulation with a lid. Gets air same as the factory one. Can’t notice any performance at all but it sounds great and definitely does not heat soak.

[@GTE465]

Add a thermometer and do a test on both air intakes.

[@paperandmedals8316]

I have an CAI cone on my E39. I regret it. Despite trying to get that cone filter down into the well in front of the driver side front tire, you’re sucking hot air off the engine. The BMW air box is as the presenter says, the stock air box is already capturing the coolest air available. Drop a K&N filter into your OEM air box if you want to free up more air flow. I live in the desert southwest of the US. There is a HUGE difference between driving when it’s 120F in the summer time, and driving on that one 35F morning that we have once a year here in early January. I’m putting my OEM air box in.

[@sunray34charlie]

Great video good info thank you. I would say the proof of the pudding is in the dyno test before and after fitment.

[@Willielee43]

I add the Dian intake with the new top and using the stock box I’m happy with it. I also add the afe grill scoop to get more air in the box I think it’s a great upgrade.

[@morbidcuriositymedia8641]

thanks for the great information!

[@jcue]

great video. thank you

[@mule666]

10 years I had the afe cold air filter on my 1997 528i e39... Now my son drives it for 3 years already... Last year I cleaned and oild the filter for first time... Car now has more then 400.000 km on it and still going strong.. I noticed the gas pedal reaction is slightly better then with the oem filter

[@Tokyodrift5000]

I installed a Simota (GrupeM rep) a while back and I do believe it has added something to my 3.0 Z4 M54 engine. Every time I switched back to my stock intake I feel like the engine 'lost' the urgency. The difference was tiny but was enough to notice, although I am tuned so maybe that has to play a part.

[@jamesstaggs4160]

It's a myth that they're a legend.

[@edgarortiz1343]

I have an 03 e46 330i with CAI and runs perfect

[@cptclown]

Yes I am adding it too mine wait for it in the mail. But I don't just have a cold air intake gotta double down as you would say

[@PacificDude]

Great video on the topic. After reviewing the performance intakes myself for a while, I would probably choose the aFe over the others, and add some heat-shield insulating material to the outside of the 'heat-shielding' box. But, I'm still on the fence since I like the sound of my current setup, and wonder if I would be unhappy with the performance intake sound over the exhaust, or if they would be complimentary during open throttle acceleration. Maybe if you knew my setup, it might make more sense. I have an '04 330i ZHP 6-speed manual. The only mods I've done is a 3:38 rear differential swap over the stock 3:06, and a full cat-back stainless steel Highline Tuning exhaust. Out of all the exhausts I've listened to, I like this one the best. Quiet under idle and low throttle, aggressive and mean on acceleration, and It even gives some 'burble' when slowing down at the low RPM range. That might be due to an x-pipe with no resonators, only a high-flow muffler at the back. I definitely notice a difference of power in the mid-to-high range. I may just get a K&N filter for the stock air box, and at least get a Turner Motorsport silicone intake boot to smooth out the air-flow after the MAF sensor. Then again, I work/tinker on cars a lot, so I may try and get my hands on another stock air filter box and modify it for a cone-type filter. This would have the benefit of looking stock, still receiving cooler air from the front collector, and reducing air turbulence. Subscribed, liked, and thank you for liking the E46. After this many years, I still think it looks great(and modern), performs great, comfortable and fun to drive(even on long-distance trips), and still easy to work on.

[@vonnutzen987]

Thanks for these videos had my 2001 325ci for 3years and been working through the main general maintenance. So far all new standard. Thermostat,water pump, radiator, expansion tank, battery, plugs, ignition coils, 2x Oxygen sensors, 4x brake calipers + brembo pads, front vented discs, all belts, serviced every year, k&n air filter. Now waiting on my mishimoto air filter replacement kit and turner Motorsport silicone throttle body air intake pipe and aluminium breather adaptor. This should come next week. Then just coilovers, an engine tune and for the time being that's enough to be going on with. Adore the car don't think I will ever get rid of her as she is my daily driver. Great videos again love your work 🥰 All

[@Sixty4motorsport]

Thanks mate. Great work on your E46!😎

[@thebiggestepic7338]

Really good video :)

[@Sixty4motorsport]

Thank You.

[@beauxdid7996]

As it is very obvious, as you have pointed out, the benefits of a cold air intake (if designed properly) is increased air flow available to the engine in a nutshell. Also as you have pointed out there are some nuances with materials and designs that are VERY lacking such as the aluminum structure and the use of the original ribbed ducts. Sir you have been spot on with your findings and explanations if I may say so. You did ask an interesting question about why so many refuse to believe in the stats of this particular mod so I have an opinion of this and it may only be part of the actual answer. I believe from previous dealings and conversations I have had that most people who have tried this mod years ago may have been the victims of cheap or poor set ups and they lacked the scientific concepts of what the mod was intended to do. I saw so many failed C.A.I. on beat up cars where it was obvious that they went for the cheapest horsepower gain someone talked them into and when I say failed, I mean failed lol. The companies selling CAI years ago were selling some really basic junk leaving the consumer with nightmares issues to deal with to complete the projects. Moral of the story is that it became a "not worth it" mod in many eyes because they did not achieve an addition 1k horsepower they thought was promised lol and were left with weird modifications to replace and fit the old ductwork and maf/map sensors. This particular mod got a bad rap from a bad start in the low information community lol. It was sold off the shelf and was not a plug and play as presumed. Now today companies are more aware for their consumers and generally provide more info and kits that may work better for individual automobiles. It has come along way however I believe its hard to erase years of misconceptions with CAIs but most who are serious and willing to do the research will benefit greatly with this important mod especially if one is opening the exhaust side of their motor. "You can only get out what you put in" so to speak. Very good video my friend. I enjoyed it and you have a classy way of con/testing theories. I am slowly working on my 2005 325ci. More of a restoration although I have new adjustable coilovers installed and wheel/tire package coming soon. It already has a CAI but it really needs to be changed or redone.

[@LosPaegles]

i think c.a.i. are good, if they are used properly. with that i mean - filter should be in custom made box, or atleast with shield. second - put filter in cover, and spray special filter oil on it. third - filter need to be cleaned time by time. fourth and the last in my opinion - time by time need to clean maf with special cleaner(not brake cleaner or carburator cleaner.)

[@fazrulrusdi3709]

The factory intake is already good enough.. The air enter at area where highest air pressure would occur during driving..CAI might give a slightly better response feeling during static

[@onepiece2491]

Good Video. The standard one is better shielded so less heat flows trough. And less heat is crucial. The new ones can even be worse for your horse power except you install a shield that protects from water and hot air

[@Sixty4motorsport]

Thanks for the comment👍

[@bobafittness1346]

Recently I got the Dinan Long tube CAI (discontinued), the one that sits down on the bumper and noticed a little increase in power. IMO its the one that provides best gains. Btw, would you recommend replacing the rear resonator with X Pipes on stock exhaust? I currently have headers and Borla Muffler

[@Kraxt0n]

on an E46 where it already has a "RAM" air type intake system, the only way to add a cold air intake is to ensure your keeping that ram air factor. otherwise stock airbox is best. bc your not getting more air with a cone filter no matter how big you go. (you can modify the stock air box to fit a cone filter and keep that ram air factor btw!) wrote before watching.

[@yoss4r1an]

Clearly didn't read

[@Kraxt0n]

@@yoss4r1an ???

[@BrynKitchenham]

I only want one for my e39 because it looks better and makes cool noises XD

[@artstalker8065]

Wouldn't it benefit from a GTR like hood with air vents just above the intake ? Or is it a bad idea because it could get wet ?

[@PedroVarvara]

I'm using an samota fiber carbon Air filter. Is been design for m3 . I had normal.ones . And cai ones. Different and different ones . But is simple . I was wondering before. But I've done my dyno test . So . Is better then a standard one .

[@lucasmastaing2665]

Hey there, great video! With the AFE kit, Could you wrap the aluminum sheild with Gold heat reflection tape to reduce the heat soak to remove that issue?

[@Sixty4motorsport]

That's what I am thinking. I am doing a follow up video, so keep tuned!

[@GTE465]

I'm not convinced with the pod filter, cleaning is an issue to me. Do you still get the same air flow after a clean, is the element still in tact as it was new, the price of cleaning fluids. The only time I would use a Cai is in winter with plenty of cold air around and revert back to OEM for summer. I do like the Cai noise but I'm still on the fence about whether I should buy or not!!! Just my thoughs. I would really like you to do the thermometer test though? Test at idling, test at 60kmh and at 100kmh and monitor the temp difference between the two. This is besides the performance gains of 10 to 15 up that some of them claim. Some tend to neglect to mention the fact that you have to get a tune but!!! If you get a tune in anyway you will gain 1 or 2 HP with the OEM air box Let me know your thoughts, and thanks for the video. Liked and subscribed.

[@Sixty4motorsport]

Great comment. Air flow is the key to get the best from the kit. If your stuck in stop start traffic you don't have that fresh cold air coming into the filter to keep the air cool. So I guess it comes down to the type of driving your doing - city or highway.

[@Jodykurtis]

03 325i E46 M54 not breathing.. lost of power.. what could it be???

[@isrealperez9069]

Why does it cause bmw code e3 and e4 when adding cold air intake

[@edgararzu5560]

Where could I find an alternative material box to aluminum and also what about the corrugated tubing, is there a place I can get a straight shot to the throttle flap?

[@auswidemarine8980]

I’m thinking of using pvc high density foam that’s fibreglassed. I’m a fibreglasser so should be easy. Also thinking of a bonnet vent to bring air into the new filter box area.

[@fredb.6884]

Hey I just noticed under your hood over the right cover fuse box attached to hood is a round black part inside the hole. Mine don't have that I just have an cutout hole there. What is that part??

[@Sixty4motorsport]

Oh! Don't know, I'll have to have a look myself and let you know.

[@rastasowa]

I hope that a large part of this group of 43%, which in my opinion could be made up of people who, if they don't know something, say no for "safety" reasons, and those who "unfortunately" were taught incorrectly, but I hope that after this film there will be less people in this group and more aware amateur mechanics which allows them to reach a higher level of their skills when you look at it from this one perspective. When I saw your reaction to this vote and it was quite understandable but It wouldn't give me peace of mind later, especially since for me personally, the way you explain everything is what I really appreciate about this type of lectures. I hope that a large part of this group of 43%, which in my opinion could be made up of people who, if they don't know something, say no for "safety" reasons, and those who "unfortunately" were taught incorrectly, but I hope that after this film there will be less people in this group and more aware amateur mechanics which allows them to reach a higher level of their skills when you look at it from this one perspective. When I saw your reaction to this vote and it was quite understandable but It wouldn't give me peace of mind later, especially since for me personally, the way you explain everything is what I really appreciate about this type of lectures.

[@ornateillustrations7466]

Hi mate, little bit more of a sensible comment from me. It’s interesting you brought this up as on Friday (18th) I recently replaced my airfilter. After weighing up all the differences cold air kits I was still undecided. I too, had looked at a lot of forums and groups on the topic and one thing that really stood out was that the majority of people that didn’t like them or felt they had no benefit were normally people who would kind of half arse and cheaply do it. The common theme between all the negative comments were people would just ‘slap’ a pod filter on the end of the factory intake boot and do no effort in heat shielding or air routing. Leaving all that warm to get to the filter. Now with that being said there were definitely people who had trouble with a full kit, such as the one you showed. But on the whole I came to the same conclusion as you did. It wouldn’t just be a simple install kit and be done with it. One thing I had come across from a motorsport shop online (based in the UK) was,as well as full kits they also sold air intake ‘accessories’. Brackets, ducting, other vents and heat wrap. This lead me down the rabbit hole trying to find a way to run extra intake areas from the fog light surrounds to help with air intake, realising how much work this would be to do well and do properly and all I really needed was a service I went with just the K&N reusable oil panel filter they make for the OEM air intake. Now the service is complete I am back to planning a cold air intake kit along with some of the other modifications I had it mind. This was definitely great timing to release your video and had some brilliant information in so thank you. Definitely back up the point for the kits to work at an optimum they need some support! Thanks for all the hard work on your videos and can’t wait for the next! 🔥

[@Sixty4motorsport]

Thanks so much for the great info👍

[@ornateillustrations7466]

@@Sixty4motorsport legend 🔥❤️

[@ivanmartinez9074]

Anyone get code P0101 after install? I want to replace the MAF but not sure if the CAI will ruin the new one from the oils of the filter. BMW 323ci

[@aw349]

Stick to a paper filter k&N oil base filters do clog up the MAF sensors over time with oil .. as people do not clean them regularly ???

[@sadvillainy1906]

he mentions in the video that theres no real evidence of their filters damaging maf sensors

[@paperandmedals8316]

I’ve had a K&N CAI cone filter since Feb 2017 on my E39. I clean it often because so live in a dusty desert. I’ve checked my MAF. There’s never been any oil on the MAF sensor elements. Never. It’s a myth.

[@Schwinn2300]

You are surprised that so many E46 owners are skeptical of CAIs of all the data. What data? I hear a lot of hypotheses but where is the data showing that the air entering the engine in actually greater in volume or lower in temperature in CAI versus OEM? Where is the data showing that the car actually generates more power with CAI versus OEM?

[@Sixty4motorsport]

Mishimoto have Dyno charts on their website, and I have been informed that K & N also have stats on their site (although I have Not verified this point). AFE Power also have Dyno figures on their site. The cotton mesh pod filter does allow the air to flow through it much easier and with less turbulence than the original paper element to provide a greater volume of air to the throttle body. The question is - Is it colder air? I have just uploaded a follow up vid to this, which you might want to check.

[@murphy1138]

I have a mishimoto kit and its fantastic.

[@steve-zg3xp]

The issue with people thinking that cold air intake does not work is a logical fallacy called "call to authority" ie: BMW spends millions on R&D, so they know best...

[@LochyP]

I would suggest there is a reason that manufacturers of "performance" intakes don't include any figures or even claim to give a performance increase, rather they state "increased engine sound" and "smoother air flow." A real comparative test with a thermometer or even a rolling road would change my mind, but I'm not convinced just yet. Not enough data.

[@amitvashist5595]

AFE claims +20HP and +27lbs x ft of torque for their stage one kit, they've provided a dyno graph on their website as well. I have one being installed right now, not getting it tuned or anything for a bit until I put some more money in to the car but will give you an update if you're interested. I'm expecting no improvements performance wise but a little more noise, which i'm happy with for now lol

[@hangfire5871]

@@amitvashist5595 has there been any performance improvements?

[@GeorgeZaharia]

i don't know what the air vs cold data benefits are but logical sense should be .... engine works at certain optimal temperature to give optimal power, if you cool it off won't give optimal power anymore would it now? is not like a Home Computer CPU that if u lower the temperature performs better... Engines don't work that way, since they need a certain "temperature" to have all fluids lubricated and ignited. So making it "cooler" shouldn't boost performance. Is just my common sense. However the airflow change u do with the new air-intake is you feed more AIR into the combustion chamber and that gives a big boost to the engine burning however that needs to be properly paired up with cooling system give it cold air-intake might cause blowups ... cause of the difference in cold and hot temperatures etc to keep it at optimal "temperature" otherwise u melt things or crack them up ... that is how i understand this whole thing not sure if even applies to what the video subject was.

[@janislykakis1227]

Colder air is more dense, so it'll contain more oxygen per liter of air. Combustion likes more oxygen and for that reason, cold air is better than hot air.

[@agustinreyes6111]

I say trust the engineers. They spend years designing the air box. Just leave it.

[@li-deathtoyou-il6547]

Intake go woosh

[@user-ub5rg6fn6e]

DO a DYNO AND see!!!! Many companies pay others to stuff to promote their stuff. However doing this myself to an e46 ON A DYNO showed no significant difference .08 hp gain! Not much .Now it is worth buying because of one factor, it's reusable!

[@kbzsolo]

Bananas 🍌 😂

[@jessehern91]

The only reason people dont think it makes a good mod because it doesn’t give much gains.

[@traviswilkinson5069]

Put one on and I got a missfire😢

[@lamarasamuel]

Dumb question here.. Can a cold air intake have a second split pipe that is fed from the car interiors air conditioner to add cold air to the engine?🤣