AFE Stage 2 intake Vs Macht Schnell Stage 2 intake

[Phat55]

Okay so I know intakes hardly gain any HP (if any at all) but I’d like to know if there’s a big difference between these 2 intakes?

I’ve searched the forum and I haven’t come up with anything conclusive? I did come across a post where it was said that the AFE intake actually made the car lose power?

Reason being is that I reside in Sunny South Africa and I’m able to source an AFE intake locally whereas I’ll have import the MS intake.

[oolas3]

Just use a drop in filter and call it done. Some of these intakes have shown to be poorly fitting.

[BOOF-M3]

I have a Dinan intake and I think it's pretty funny that prior owner paid almost $1k for it. A tune and X-Pipe would be better money spent if you ask me.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Phat55

Okay so I know intakes hardly gain any HP (if any at all) but I’d like to know if there’s a big difference between these 2 intakes?

I’ve searched the forum and I haven’t come up with anything conclusive? I did come across a post where it was said that the AFE intake actually made the car lose power?

Reason being is that I reside in Sunny South Africa and I’m able to source an AFE intake locally whereas I’ll have import the MS intake.

They're mostly for show and for a slight change in sound. I've never seen anyone post about a huge difference between any of them other that fitment or quality control.

Honestly, I would put the money towards something else.

[BayE30]

for $300 i am happy with my AFE intake, fitment is fine, dropped rite in. i added it as a first mod on my m3, gives the engine a nice growl. once an X-pipe and exhaust are installed its completely un-noticeable though.

[8500RPM]

I went from used AA drop in filter to used Macht Schnell intake. No difference in sound or performance. Just get a drop in filter and be done with it.

[Phat55]

Thanx for the input guys. The car has xpipe and catback. Just received MS Pulleys so was thinking about getting an intake. The car will be getting a Gintani E85 tune aswell

[Dave07997S]

Kitw who used to be on this board got 6rwhp over a drop in with his AFE Stg 2. CAI, this is the one that used the OEM plumbing but a different elbow and large filter. Similar to the MS and the Dinan. I had this and on my 2011 M3 I got 10.8rwhp peak gain over my fresh OEM filter. One thing though, the older AFE CAIs the filter was small, with the newer intakes the filter is improved.

I now have it on my 2013 M3 as well, I have the one with the CF elbow.

Dave

[Phat55]

Originally Posted by Dave07997S

Kitw who used to be on this board got 6rwhp over a drop in with his AFE Stg 2. CAI, this is the one that used the OEM plumbing but a different elbow and large filter. Similar to the MS and the Dinan. I had this and on my 2011 M3 I got 10.8rwhp peak gain over my fresh OEM filter. One thing though, the older AFE CAIs the filter was small, with the newer intakes the filter is improved.

I now have it on my 2013 M3 as well, I have the one with the CF elbow.

Dave

Interesting facts! Thanks bud!

[Mdriv3r]

I have the aFe intake. It works well. However, I have always respected Macht Schnell.

[Dave07997S]

The early Matt Schnells had some issues, the later ones have no fitment issues.

I chose the AFE only because I got a great deal with the CF elbow. They have some new ones out I have never seen before.

dave

[wheresthetrail]

I'm doing the same research here to determine which intake to go with. Based on forum chatter, here's the BLUF: you can't go wrong with either the Macht Schnell or the AFE stage 2 intakes if you're already committed to spending $350-$400 on an intake. There will be no quantifiable performance/sound difference between the 2.

Macht Schnell: MSRP $400. older, proven 2 pc design. Very German and not particularly known for air filtration or flow. Definitely a quality product by the BMW Guys. No one will scoff at the MS option.

AFE: MSRP $350. pretty slick newer one piece elbow design by the guys who know the science of air flow. They make intakes and filters for all makes, so they know filters and filter media. A bit more of a generic brand compared to MS, but to me the engineering and filter quality look better and it's $50 cheaper. They also offer an oiled filter or a dry filter, although I have no idea why one would go with an oiled filter.

I'm on the fence and will probably go with the MS just because it oozes BMW. But tomorrow I may lean towards the AFE because from a pure performance/cost/engineering standpoint the AFE wins in my eyes.

3rd option for just a bit more (~$525) maybe I'll go with the carbon fiber AFE version that comes with both oiled and dry filters. It looks great and is a screaming bargain compared to the Dinan and Evolve carbon intakes at 2x the cost. I suspect quantifiable gains between these carbon options are all equal based on their designs.