[MaximusJ]

Hi there,

I am a newcomer in the BMW community (coming from the Honda world) and I want to make my car a little meaner. Not that I want HUGE gains in HP (I dont have 10 grand to put on that car for now; I just bought it), but I like when it gains a LITTLE something; while adding the kind of sound I am looking for.

I previously added an Intake and exhaust to my 06 civic and really liked the sound; even if it gave little to no gains. So I would like to do the same with my Bimmer.

So, I'm now wondering what would be the best setup in price / gain ratio? Is there any brand of intakes I should stay away from? I had bad experiences with my Fujita on my civic. So I dont really consider that brand.

Also, I have a nice offer on a used Eisenmann exhaust, but since those doesnt come with the pipes, I am still thinking about if I should get this deal and buy the SR pipes or just install the exhaust. Would you have a better brand to suggest?

Thanks for the help. I am a little confused with all the suppliers that are unknown to the honda/acura family.

[SV Concepts III]

An intake alone will not produce huge gains on these cars but we were speaking earlier about the aFe setup. I find it to be the best option in terms of quality and performance. aFe provides a solid quality filter element and aluminum heatshield for a full enclosed intake system. I think it's the best bang for your buck but do recommend coupling the intake with software to maximize gains.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Burger tuning Dual cone intakes are the best bang for the buck.

As far as exhaust, the only real gains are from downpipes. AR Design or VK is good I hear.

As far as cat back, IDK, your better off going on youtube for a look or sound as they all dont do much in the HP.

Eisenmann is a quality piece but over-priced.

[benzo23]

Holy shit bro are u serious...I swear there has been about 10 of these threads in the past 2 weeks....here try this

i mean this was on there like 3 days ago...took me 2 sec to find,
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=413393

[c_jeong89]

Originally Posted by JPSlick

Burger tuning Dual cone intakes are the best bang for the buck.

As far as exhaust, the only real gains are from downpipes. AR Design or VK is good I hear.

As far as cat back, IDK, your better off going on youtube for a look or sound as they all dont do much in the HP.

Eisenmann is a quality piece but over-priced.

OP has a 325i so dual cone intakes and downpipes aren't available for him. For the 325i, I recommend the aFe intake and for the exhaust it really is up to u. There's the BMW Performance Exhaust if u wanted to stay OEM, the Eisenmann is also a choice but can get $$$ with the SR pipes + midpipes. I suggest looking on youtube at various exhausts for the 325/328/330 and see which one u like the best.

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by benzo23

Holy shit bro are u serious...I swear there has been about 10 of these threads in the past 2 weeks....here try this

i mean this was on there like 3 days ago...took me 2 sec to find,
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=413393

Wow nice find... Thanks but that doesnt help me much; This is why decided to start a thread instead of highkacking someone else's.


And thanks to the others for the answers so far. aFe looks like a good option since Simota doesnt seem to be available for my model.

[benzo23]

hey no sweat man, was just trying to help point u in the direction of what others used for intakes and exhaust on the 325...best of luck

[csupernova]

AFE intake + BMW Performance Exhaust = FTMFW !!!!!!!! I LOVE the mean sound.

[ModBargains.com]

Definitely check out the AFE Cold Air Intake Stage 2 for your 325i! This system is for the enthusiast that's looking for all the power and torque you can get from an intake system; AFE replaces the entire stock air induction system to the throttle body or turbo housing. I'll shoot you over a PM with more details!

- Alan

[Wlew]

go with an AFE intake for sure. I am actually in the process of cleaning mine as we speak. Its a great sound and some decent gains. As for exhaust I really like my top speed exhaust. it was only 300 bucks... otherwise look at RE Ikon or Remus. BMW PE is great, but very expensive and not really worth the cost in my opinion. Do not go the Muffler delete route. If you really want to stay stock, talk with Craven328 and get the MMW PE. its the stock housing but he does something to it...

[e90ben]

Go with the Stock Intake with a drop in filter (K&N or AFE) and charcoal delete

BMW and most New MY2000 cars have excellent intakes and will outperform most Open element intakes in day to day driving.

Plus its 1/4 the price

[belixxx]

The best and most cost effective you can do is getting O2 sims and primary cats delete. All the other mods only effect the sound.

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by benzo23

hey no sweat man, was just trying to help point u in the direction of what others used for intakes and exhaust on the 325...best of luck

No problem; thanks for trying to help.


I think I made my choice; just ordered aFe stage 2 intake (Oily version)

As for the exhaust, I really like the option of keeping the OEM look. Law officers in Quebec have little to zero mechanic knowledge... So if it doesnt look stock; you're done. But they really judge "by the look"; we have no mandatory emission tests.

Seriously considering MMW from Craven... I still have some reading to do before making my choice on that one.

[jfisher160]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

No problem; thanks for trying to help.


I think I made my choice; just ordered aFe stage 2 intake (Oily version)

As for the exhaust, I really like the option of keeping the OEM look. Law officers in Quebec have little to zero mechanic knowledge... So if it doesnt look stock; you're done. But they really judge "by the look"; we have no mandatory emission tests.

Seriously considering MMW from Craven... I still have some reading to do before making my choice on that one.

Maximus - If you are considering going with Craven and are unsure, he is working on mine right now. Hopefully we are going to try and get it put on this weekend or next, whenever he gets it done and I can let you know what I think and how it sounds.

[e92justin]

Originally Posted by JPSlick

Burger tuning Dual cone intakes are the best bang for the buck.

As far as exhaust, the only real gains are from downpipes. AR Design or VK is good I hear.

As far as cat back, IDK, your better off going on youtube for a look or sound as they all dont do much in the HP.

Eisenmann is a quality piece but over-priced.

He has a 325i not a 335i

[5erman]

Originally Posted by **********s.com

Definitely check out the AFE Cold Air Intake Stage 2 for your 325i! This system is for the enthusiast that's looking for all the power and torque you can get from an intake system; AFE replaces the entire stock air induction system to the throttle body or turbo housing. I'll shoot you over a PM with more details!

- Alan

Its sad this guy works for a "performance" place-the enthusiast who wants real gains? These open air intakes for NA cars have time and time agained being showed to lose power, soak up heat from the engine bay and lose torque. Huge and numerous tests on the e60s, m5s etc. Twin turbo is different-the extra air effect outweighs the heat-but notso with the NA engines.

AFE is a huge waste-I had it on my car and had it dynoed with and without and as consistent with tons of other info it was over 15hp less with the intake-dont do it!!

[MaximusJ]

But you got a 5 series; I got a 3 series. Are you talking about a previous car of yours?

I'm curious to see those dynosheets tho. Some were complaining about the Fujita intake performance drop; but it ended up that way because the installation wasnt made the way it should. I dont say its not possible, but we hear that intakes are bad for non turbo bimmers but nobody posted dynos or gave any proofs.

Anyway i'll install the intake previous to anything else so if there's really a significant drop in performance, i'll just take it out and resell it. The sad thing is that dynos costs a LOT around here. So its sad to hear but you have to pretty much rely on internet and such.

I already ordered the aFe intake and will go with Craven's MMW exhaust mod. I'm also looking to add a BMS Powerbox and this winter, i'll get the parts to do the three stage intake manifold mod so everything is ready for next spring. But I still have to read as if I should go with a real tune like Gintani or if a Piggybag like the PBX will get good results with the new manifold.

[5erman]

it was on my 5-doesnt matter, any open air filter does the same thing, it sucks in hot engine air, you lose the pressurized airbox effect of a closed, sealed Stock system and you end up sucking in hot air and at no higher rate or quantity than a factory box with a KN filter-it has a sweet sound however but you lose power and on the 255 hp n52 you cant affor to lose any let alone the 210 hp 325-ouch

[csupernova]

lose power or not, I definitely cant feel it with my AFE. I love the MEAN sound !!!

[USC2000]

Gonna have to look into the MMW. This is the first time reading about it.

[Wlew]

I just sent my stock housing to Gavin at MMW to get this exhaust system done. check the headers thread and there are some sound clips, but like every video clip, the mic isnt that great.

I will have mine back in a couple weeks or so, and will try and get a clip of it as well, or at least compare to stock and the top speed.

[Wlew]

and I have not noticed a loss in power with my afe. definitely a gain if anything. the sound is worth it definitely.