Macht Schnell Stage II Intake Review

[mkPOTO]

It was finally time to replace my Technocraft intake for something more durable and didn't involve me wrapping electrical tape around the intake manifold (hated this)

It was very eye appealing but other than that just a pain in the butt.

So when it came time finding a replacement I had the following criteria:
1. nothing to outrageously expensive
2. fit well and needed no other modifications (like the technocraft)
3. Looked good
4. overall a good reviews on the unit.

So after reading about the many different intake setups I finally decided to go with the Macht Schnell setup.

Here is why I went with it:
1. Price
2. Overall look of it matches up with stock so it looks like it just belongs there
3. Great reviews on the unit

So I called up Tom@EAS and he was able to help me place my order. It took a few days to get (Big ups to the EAS crew, they sent me tracking info minutes after I had placed the order)

Here is what the kit looked like (stole this picture from VS Motorsports)


The install was very easy, very straight forward.
The only issue I had was removing the spring, but once I figured it out the whole unit went in without a problem.








I know many of you guys might be like why would you buy it? and what about the issues that some have had?

Well, my install went fine, yes there was points where I thought fitment was off, but it was me not pushing piece together, and once I did install went perfect. If your looking for a good priced kit, Macht Schnell is the way to go!

[STi_traitor]

Ha, thanks for the review! I was just thinking about buying one but wasn't sure. This is a sign from the ///M3 GODS! How is the overall sound difference? When it comes down to it IMO thats what it is all about, maybe the "5" HP gain (if that) too!

[isugoo]

What about those intake guide thingy behind the kidney grills, are they easy to install too?

And... thanks for the write up.

[Munit]

Once again I ask why? Even looking at the pictures of the pieces out of the box makes even less sense of why someone does this. Do you think that 1 foot long "elbow" piece that MS uses has some advantage over the stock elbow? Other than that its simply a drop in filter which you can do anyway. Just do not get the thought process.

Just makes zero sense. Sometimes I get mods make our car personalized but this seems to have absolutely zero utility for looks (considering you said it looked stock anyway) or performance. Do people really like to just throw away 400 bucks for fun these days?

[Groundpilot]

Thanks for the review. I went with their drop in filter and air scoops.
Correct me if i am wrong but i think there is not much difference in power gain between them.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Munit

Once again I ask why? Even looking at the pictures of the pieces out of the box makes even less sense of why someone does this. Do you think that 1 foot long "elbow" piece that MS uses has some advantage over the stock elbow? Other than that its simply a drop in filter which you can do anyway. Just do not get the thought process.

Just makes zero sense. Sometimes I get mods make our car personalized but this seems to have absolutely zero utility for looks (considering you said it looked stock anyway) or performance. Do people really like to just throw away 400 bucks for fun these days?

Here are some comparison shots of the Macht Schnell Charge Pipe vs the BMW stock piece. Here you can see where the restriction is virtually eliminated along with the "accordion" style ribs from the stock charge pipe. The included rubber couplers allow for proper engine movement.

Comparison of Upper Intake Charge Pipe (OEM on left, Macht Schnell ICP on right):


Comparison of lower charge pipe (Macht Schnell ICP on left, OEM on right):


The stock airbox is awesome in the M3, but the dyno shows there is definitely some room for improvement for those looking to modify.

[STi_traitor]

Originally Posted by Munit

Once again I ask why? Even looking at the pictures of the pieces out of the box makes even less sense of why someone does this. Do you think that 1 foot long "elbow" piece that MS uses has some advantage over the stock elbow? Other than that its simply a drop in filter which you can do anyway. Just do not get the thought process.

Just makes zero sense. Sometimes I get mods make our car personalized but this seems to have absolutely zero utility for looks (considering you said it looked stock anyway) or performance. Do people really like to just throw away 400 bucks for fun these days?

You've been lawyered my friend! VVVV

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Here are some comparison shots of the Macht Schnell Charge Pipe vs the BMW stock piece. Here you can see where the restriction is virtually eliminated along with the "accordion" style ribs from the stock charge pipe. The included rubber couplers allow for proper engine movement.

Comparison of Upper Intake Charge Pipe (OEM on left, Macht Schnell ICP on right):


Comparison of lower charge pipe (Macht Schnell ICP on left, OEM on right):


The stock airbox is awesome in the M3, but the dyno shows there is definitely some room for improvement for those looking to modify.

Looks good, huge difference! These V8's strive for air flow give her what she wants!

[mhabs]

Dinan's elbow and filter claim + 8 bhp for 30% greater flow restriction and they're not known for aggressive HP claims (relative to everyone else).

[BMWJ]

This assumes that there actually is a restriction issue.

[kevin///mlee]

Larger diameter and smoother surface = less restriction. So why wouldn't this be an improvement over stock?

[kaiv]

I was chatting with Randy Mueller (BMW racer, tuner, and founder of Epic Motorsports) about getting a tune for my car. When mentioning my mods and the MS stage 2 intake, he told me that it's the best he has tested. 'Nuff said.

[David@ApexRaceParts]

Awesome review! Let's hear some sound clips!

[bigjae1976]

Need a video. I'm looking for something that will give me more of that sexy induction sound.

[flipm3]

Great review buddy! If I ever complete the E46...maybe I'll start getting some NA mods for the E90...haha

Originally Posted by kaiv

I was chatting with Randy Mueller (BMW racer, tuner, and founder of Epic Motorsports) about getting a tune for my car. When mentioning my mods and the MS stage 2 intake, he told me that it's the best he has tested. 'Nuff said.

Agreed! I have spoken to few other well known tuners here on the boards and they have all said the same thing.

Randy Mueller of Epic Motorsports is not as well known among the E9X M3 community, but his judgement and recommendation carries much weight! If he says this intake is one of the best out there, it's more than likely one of the best.

[bigjae1976]

Originally Posted by flipm3

If I ever complete the E46...

...funniest thing I've seen all day. Like when I finish (right now fix) my E46...

[mhabs]

If the intakes (Dinan, MS, GruppeM, a-workx) objectively are proven to make some power vs filter alone, yeah it's a pretty good assumption.

Originally Posted by BMWJ

This assumes that there actually is a restriction issue.

[Dovetonsils]

When mentioning my mods and the MS stage 2 intake, he told me that it's the best he has tested. 'Nuff said.

[mkPOTO]

Originally Posted by isugoo

What about those intake guide thingy behind the kidney grills, are they easy to install too?

And... thanks for the write up.

Very straight forward, just watch the video EAS made

David@ApexRaceParts Awesome review! Let's hear some sound clips!

Lol kinda hard to hear over my exhaust lol

Great review buddy! If I ever complete the E46...maybe I'll start getting some NA mods for the E90...haha

Loll good one Alex!

kaiv I was chatting with Randy Mueller (BMW racer, tuner, and founder of Epic Motorsports) about getting a tune for my car. When mentioning my mods and the MS stage 2 intake, he told me that it's the best he has tested. 'Nuff said.

Sal from Evolve said it won't hurt either

[Munit]

These are one of those situations that if you simply step back and use common sense you will see that its really not sensible that bmw M would use a restrictive elbow if there was 10hp on the table from using a slightly larger diameter pipe. The diamter being smaller is not necessarily more restrictive. Its likely calculated based on desired intake air velocity whichi requires a certain diameter. Larger diameter means slower moving air. So while it may move "more" air, the air is slower and would take more time. This intake does not have a restriction for air in totally stock form.

Evidence is in the GTS 4.4 stroked engine which uses the identical intake box as the stock s65 m3. Clearly a 4.4L if anything requires more air and the stock setup provides enough air for that so our stocker engine has more than enough air.

I think a dyno gain is for the filter only but to each his own. M would not leave 10hp on the table if it were a matter of tweaking the intake elbow diameter. Just makes zero sense

[mhabs]

Isn't it defined by the actual filter medium (paper) where a larger diameter (for a regular or stroked engine) wouldn't matter. Perhaps things change when an oiled/cotton filter is used and more air actually flows in? Would be nice for a tuner to actually measure pressure drop or intake velocity on some of these elbows with both paper and oiled cotton and share the results.

Originally Posted by Munit

These are one of those situations that if you simply step back and use common sense you will see that its really not sensible that bmw M would use a restrictive elbow if there was 10hp on the table from using a slightly larger diameter pipe. The diamter being smaller is not necessarily more restrictive. Its likely calculated based on desired intake air velocity whichi requires a certain diameter. Larger diameter means slower moving air. So while it may move "more" air, the air is slower and would take more time. This intake does not have a restriction for air in totally stock form.

Evidence is in the GTS 4.4 stroked engine which uses the identical intake box as the stock s65 m3. Clearly a 4.4L if anything requires more air and the stock setup provides enough air for that so our stocker engine has more than enough air.

I think a dyno gain is for the filter only but to each his own. M would not leave 10hp on the table if it were a matter of tweaking the intake elbow diameter. Just makes zero sense

[mkPOTO]

I don't know why this became a bashing thread, I just wanted to put my review on this thread of a product that I believe is top notch. I can careless if people don't like it and think its stupid, I bought it because I was sick of my Technocraft and wanted to replace it with something bette

[MRV99]

Originally Posted by Munit

These are one of those situations that if you simply step back and use common sense you will see that its really not sensible that bmw M would use a restrictive elbow if there was 10hp on the table from using a slightly larger diameter pipe. The diamter being smaller is not necessarily more restrictive. Its likely calculated based on desired intake air velocity whichi requires a certain diameter. Larger diameter means slower moving air. So while it may move "more" air, the air is slower and would take more time. This intake does not have a restriction for air in totally stock form.

Evidence is in the GTS 4.4 stroked engine which uses the identical intake box as the stock s65 m3. Clearly a 4.4L if anything requires more air and the stock setup provides enough air for that so our stocker engine has more than enough air.

I think a dyno gain is for the filter only but to each his own. M would not leave 10hp on the table if it were a matter of tweaking the intake elbow diameter. Just makes zero sense

Auto manufactures leave HP on the table all the time. They decide what is their desired performance number is and what will meet Global needs/laws/standards and stick with that. I have been adding HP to cars since I was 16 and this has always been the case.

Let's look at the m3. Why did BMW make a heavy ass muffler when we know it could be made much lighter reducing weight which will make the car quicker. Couldn't BMW make a filter which is more like after market versions to get 1-2 more HP? Couldn't BMW software tune more HP out of these cars? Couldn't BMW install higher flow cats while still passing all emissions. If all these things were done and the car can produce say 430-440 HP stock instead of 414, why did BMW not do this? If the car had 25 more HP but cost 1k more would it sell less or more?

If you can answer why BMW did not do the above and BMW can only get 414 out of the S65 motor then I will retract my questions and admit you are the BMW master