Drop in filter vs complete intake system: Loudest?

[///M4 F83]

I love the sound of the M3 already but I want to amplify the sound through the intake. I don't want an exhaust so value wise, which is the loudest intake option available for the m3? So far, I'm considering either the AA drop-in filter, AFE intake system, and MS intake system. Thanks in advance for your input.

[ndau]

I have afe drop in not the intake. No change in sound that I can notice.

[W///]

Drop in filter won't do anything sound wise FYI

[spool twice]

there is an increase in induction noise with my k&n drop in, both in a growl and in a metallic variety. The increase is only during heavy throttle applications though. It's not an OMG effect though, its subtle but noticeable. I came from an OEM charcoal filter though.

[BrewRifle]

I noticed some noise increase with my green AA drop-in filter as well.

[m3gustaAW]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

I noticed some noise increase with my green AA drop-in filter as well.

What kind of sound? I'm thinking to get one too.

[M3Guy]

My AA Green drop in filter makes my intake much louder when spirited driving is called upon. I have a DCT and the downshift blips make the most amazing sound with the filter. Hard to explain but it's a sounds great!

[///M4 F83]

Originally Posted by BrewRifle

I noticed some noise increase with my green AA drop-in filter as well.

Originally Posted by M3Guy

My AA Green drop in filter makes my intake much louder when spirited driving is called upon. I have a DCT and the downshift blips make the most amazing sound with the filter. Hard to explain but it's a sounds great!

Yea, I read the AA sounds louder for under $100 but I'm willing to pay additional for the complete intake if its louder. It might be the obvious choice but I wonder if more people with the complete intake could chime in their experiences. As far as with the AA drop-in, do you guys still have the OEM cover on? Or is the filter exposed? (Like complete intake systems).

And thanks to everyone else for your reply.

[BrewRifle]

I'm running it completely housed just like stock. The sound is somewhat like a snarl and sounds amazing at 3-5k RPM. I couldn't be happier with this filter, but I've read other having great success with the MS or Dinan complete intake system. It's just a matter of where you want to spend your cash.

[SflBimmer8484]

The drop in is a tad louder than factory but not much. keep in mind we have installed an afe full intake and it lost 10 whp. Feel free to do your own testing but that is what we concluded from changing the factory intake. Based on this I cannot suggest changing anything but the filter.

[FogCityM3]

I have the Dinan CF Elbow, a Goeke Carbon Plenum, and the Technocraft Airbox Cover for the exact same reason (wanted to increase induction noise). I also used to have the MS Intake. Would say bang for the buck sound wise, the Dinan Elbow and MS intake of the 3 mods are best “value”. The CF material definitely allows more sound to get through, so Dinan is louder than MS, but MS is cheaper/good value. The CF Plenum definitely makes things louder (more on WOT), but is expensive option. Personally, cost/benefit/sound wise, would go for the Dinan elbow.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by ///M3 E92

I love the sound of the M3 already but I want to amplify the sound through the intake. I don't want an exhaust so value wise, which is the loudest intake option available for the m3? So far, I'm considering either the AA drop-in filter, AFE intake system, and MS intake system. Thanks in advance for your input.

Here's a quick audio clip of the Macht Schnell Stage 2 intake.

We've seen 10-12whp gains on the dyno with the intake system, the induction noise under load is simply intoxicating. Another forum member also posted his coupled with the SuperSprint exhaust:

Let me know if you have any questions or feel free to drop by since you're local!

[M3Guy]

Here's a video I did a while back of mine with a fabspeed x-pipe, exhaust mod and AA green filter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...&v=xl4EO0d8-zk

[coloradoe92m3]

Wow age has been losing power since early e60 m5 crowd. How do they continue to sell crap?

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by coloradoe92m3

Wow age has been losing power since early e60 m5 crowd. How do they continue to sell crap?

They aren't the only ones.. We have seen decreased performance in many of the newer cars with intakes. Bmw makes a damn good intake when all the smog parts are removed.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Andrew@ActiveAutowerke

They aren't the only ones.. We have seen decreased performance in many of the newer cars with intakes. Bmw makes a damn good intake when all the smog parts are removed.

They make an awesome airbox, but intake charge pipe and filter bridge can definitely be improved upon. We've got plenty of dynos that do not agree with your opinion.

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


Early-build M3s (like OPs) will see the most improvement, since the filters also have a charcoal liner which is eliminated with the new filter.

[W///]

This is straight from Dinan's webpage.

Benefits:
• Aircraft quality “prepreg” carbon fiber
• 30% more cross sectional area than stock
• Less prone to heat soak
• More air available to the engine
• Increased engine output across the power band
• Max. gain of 8 horsepower and 5 lb-ft torque @ 8200 rpm
• Large free flowing cotton gauze type air filter

Not here to argue with anyone about whether you should buy an air intake or not, but at 8hp max at the top of the RPM band, I'm going to go ahead and say that's not much of an improvement (did they measure earlier filter with charcoal vs Dinan intake?). Thus why I went with a very high quality drop in filter for $100 vs $700 for the Dinan one... although I will admit it does look pretty.

Just my 2 cents.

[dereksM3]

I have an 09 with the OEM charcoal filter. It has about ~20k on it so it was relatively dirty. I put in a new AA filter last week. My observations are this: there is a definite sound increase. Quite a bit actually...from about 4k and up the sounds has increased to a very aggressive growl. Also with a dirty OEM charcoal air filter there was a definite improvement in power on the upper RPM range as well.

[SflBimmer8484]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

They make an awesome airbox, but intake charge pipe and filter bridge can definitely be improved upon. We've got plenty of dynos that do not agree with your opinion.

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


Early-build M3s (like OPs) will see the most improvement, since the filters also have a charcoal liner which is eliminated with the new filter.

If in fact the M3 needs a larger diameter upper intake pipe then I could see a benefit. Then again larger is not always better if its not needed. Ill take your word for it though.

[grantmax]

I went with the Macht Schnell drop-in and couldn't be happier. Maybe because my OEM filter was a total mess.

My results: Louder induction noise at WOT beyond 4000rpm, quicker throttle response, seemingly quicker revving through the lower rev range under load.

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by dereksM3

I have an 09 with the OEM charcoal filter. It has about ~20k on it so it was relatively dirty. I put in a new AA filter last week. My observations are this: there is a definite sound increase. Quite a bit actually...from about 4k and up the sounds has increased to a very aggressive growl. Also with a dirty OEM charcoal air filter there was a definite improvement in power on the upper RPM range as well.

similar experience after replacing the charcoal filter, and throttle response also inproved for me.

[dereksM3]

Originally Posted by spool twice

similar experience after replacing the charcoal filter, and throttle response also inproved for me.

Yes, that was an observation as well. I was actually pretty surprised feeling the power difference and throttle response with just the filter. Very well made product from AA.