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      04-26-2010, 02:14 AM   #1
kaykay
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Air Filter

What air filter are you guys using on your E92's?

And, does the E92 have a carbon filter (I believe) like the 2008-2010 5-Series that should be removed to improve airflow?

I remember pulling a carbon/charcoal-like filter out of the airbox on the E60 to improve airflow in addition to adding Green Filters.
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      04-26-2010, 02:17 AM   #2
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Indeed, we have a carbon filter, and go BMC.
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      04-26-2010, 02:19 AM   #3
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^ BMC is the route I'm taking.
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      04-26-2010, 02:22 AM   #4
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      04-26-2010, 03:13 AM   #5
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I've searched weeks and weeks, seen the MS/AFE/BMC filter side by side in person and Im going for BMC filter.
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      04-26-2010, 08:43 AM   #6
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MS/AFE/APE filters don't have the plastic reinforcement structure you see inside the stock filter. I am wondering if the BMC filter is more rigid.

Quote:
Originally Posted by FruitCake View Post
I've searched weeks and weeks, seen the MS/AFE/BMC filter side by side in person and Im going for BMC filter.
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      04-26-2010, 09:24 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by major_kusanagi View Post
MS/AFE/APE filters don't have the plastic reinforcement structure you see inside the stock filter. I am wondering if the BMC filter is more rigid.
I am not sure, but the BMC fitted much better and felt much more sturdy. It also comes in 2 versions, US and EU spec. My car is a 2010 so it require the EU filter and only BMC has the EU spec version. Both the AFE/MS filter required an adaptor. That just IMO is more parts and complicated. Any good engineer will tell you, less parts=less headaches. That was one of the reasons I went with BMC. Others is that they actually have racing history and background, unlike MS which just came out of nowhere (dont want to get into details as Im just speculating). BMC has been know to make filters for Ferrari and even for various F1 teams. Now of course that doesn't mean you have a F1 filter in your car if you choose to go with the BMC, but at the same price (even the cheapest if you need the adaptor) than the rest and from a reputable company, it was a no-brainer to know they've had the know-how and quality. Of course various vendors will now jump in and defend/promote their product and its their right to do so this is just my own opinion. All filters are very good, I just think BMC has the edge.
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      04-26-2010, 10:29 AM   #8
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no complaints with my MS filter. Not sure about other filters but I get a really nice throaty sound when accelerating between 3k and 4k rpm. A nice bonus.
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      04-26-2010, 10:51 AM   #9
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I've got a BMC filter in my TecnoCraft system.
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      04-26-2010, 11:25 AM   #10
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I just got the AFE because they have a Euro model and I save on shipping since I bought it from UUC with my brake lines...Made more sense to me.
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      04-26-2010, 12:07 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by holt View Post
no complaints with my MS filter. Not sure about other filters but I get a really nice throaty sound when accelerating between 3k and 4k rpm. A nice bonus.
Much appreciated - we install about 3-4 Macht Schnell filters a week here in house, it's a great first upgrade for M3s with proven power gains on the dyno.

Quote:
Originally Posted by major_kusanagi View Post
MS/AFE/APE filters don't have the plastic reinforcement structure you see inside the stock filter. I am wondering if the BMC filter is more rigid.
The afe filters use a very soft polyurethane lid that will compress with just a slight amount of pressure, distorting the bottom seal and possibly letting in unfiltered air (this is the "fluttering" sound people are reporting).
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      04-26-2010, 12:26 PM   #12
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Thx for the clarification, Tom.
BTW, I am loving the rogue pulleys.

Quote:
Originally Posted by tom @ eas View Post
Much appreciated - we install about 3-4 Macht Schnell filters a week here in house, it's a great first upgrade for M3s with proven power gains on the dyno.



The afe filters use a very soft polyurethane lid that will compress with just a slight amount of pressure, distorting the bottom seal and possibly letting in unfiltered air (this is the "fluttering" sound people are reporting).

Last edited by major_kusanagi; 04-26-2010 at 01:15 PM..
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      04-26-2010, 12:52 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kaykay View Post
What air filter are you guys using on your E92's?

And, does the E92 have a carbon filter (I believe) like the 2008-2010 5-Series that should be removed to improve airflow?

I remember pulling a carbon/charcoal-like filter out of the airbox on the E60 to improve airflow in addition to adding Green Filters.
BMC with a remap, awesome power.
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      04-26-2010, 12:58 PM   #14
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I was surprised how flexible the Macht Schnell filter is compared to the stock unit. I get a strange sort of rattle under WOT similar to what the afe guys are describing. I checked to make sure I had it installed correctly. I think in my case I am just hearing the increase in air flow.
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      04-26-2010, 01:43 PM   #15
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I installed BMC but I noticed rattling sound from driver side between 3000-5000 rpm range.
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      04-26-2010, 01:56 PM   #16
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Basically, from what I've read, all filters have their ups and downs. Get the cheapest one and you will be improving airflow significantly. I don't think you should dwell on the minor issues. MS/AFE/BMC are all good.
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      04-26-2010, 07:35 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GewoW View Post
Basically, from what I've read, all filters have their ups and downs. Get the cheapest one and you will be improving airflow significantly. I don't think you should dwell on the minor issues. MS/AFE/BMC are all good.
hit the nail. as for the rattling sound, I think they all sound like that.
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      04-26-2010, 09:49 PM   #18
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the problem i noticed after one year with a AFE filter.
It gets soft over time.
not the top, but the filter element.
Since it doesnt have a inner plastic reenforcement to keep from colapsing.
Well when i sawped it out last time to clean it,
Since the spring loated adjuster is hard to push in and hold.
The filer element kinked. Not the filter doesnt sit right anymore.

The factory one has the stong inner plastic struts, keeping the filter straight and square.

I would suggest filter manufacturers to look into this.
Because of this reduced life span cause by the filter installation procedure, im question if buying a new filter, or go back to stock is the better choice.
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      04-26-2010, 10:03 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Edman951 View Post
the problem i noticed after one year with a AFE filter.
It gets soft over time.
not the top, but the filter element.
Since it doesnt have a inner plastic reenforcement to keep from colapsing.
Well when i sawped it out last time to clean it,
Since the spring loated adjuster is hard to push in and hold.
The filer element kinked. Not the filter doesnt sit right anymore.

The factory one has the stong inner plastic struts, keeping the filter straight and square.

I would suggest filter manufacturers to look into this.
Because of this reduced life span cause by the filter installation procedure, im question if buying a new filter, or go back to stock is the better choice.
Are all aftermarket filters like this?

Why don't I see you in the Montreal thread??
Get there! - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=340806
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      04-26-2010, 10:07 PM   #20
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Great observation. This is what I was referring to earlier. Can anyone look inside the BMC filter and see if it has any inner plastic reinforcement?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edman951 View Post
the problem i noticed after one year with a AFE filter.
It gets soft over time.
not the top, but the filter element.
Since it doesnt have a inner plastic reenforcement to keep from colapsing.
Well when i sawped it out last time to clean it,
Since the spring loated adjuster is hard to push in and hold.
The filer element kinked. Not the filter doesnt sit right anymore.

The factory one has the stong inner plastic struts, keeping the filter straight and square.

I would suggest filter manufacturers to look into this.
Because of this reduced life span cause by the filter installation procedure, im question if buying a new filter, or go back to stock is the better choice.
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      04-26-2010, 10:09 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GewoW View Post
Are all aftermarket filters like this?

Why don't I see you in the Montreal thread??
Get there! - http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=340806
Not in the least - it's one of the reasons we stopped offering the aFe version.

The OEM & Macht Schnell (I would assume BMC as well) filters barely flex with excessive pressure on the centering pin socket.
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      04-26-2010, 10:48 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tom @ eas View Post
Not in the least - it's one of the reasons we stopped offering the aFe version.

The OEM & Macht Schnell (I would assume BMC as well) filters barely flex with excessive pressure on the centering pin socket.
i can testify to this...
i have an MS filter and its very stiff. i have already cleaned it once and reinstalled it with no issues at all. it didnt flex distort at all after a good 10,000 kms on it.
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