Which air filter sounds the best?

Kiemyster · 07-19-2010, 06:27 PM

I know it sounds shallow, but strictly on the basis of sound, which air filter is going to give the most growl. I dont really care about HP gains because they all seems quite negligible to me. So im picking my filter based on which instrument plays the sweeter tunes.

Opinions? I've always heard Gruppe M makes the most amazing sound on their intake for the 335, does this ring true for the M3 as well?

david @ eas · 07-19-2010, 06:41 PM

If this is going on your M3, then I would certianly look at the Macht Schnell filters that we carry. A good amount of guys off this forum are running the filter, and they absolutely love it. Though you said it doesn't matter to you what kind of HP gains you will see, you just want something reliable, well you'll be getting both with this filter.

Since it's a cotton gauze filter, you can wash it, oil it back up and put it back in the car without issues (as long as you don't OVER oil of course). It's a great basic mod that holds up very well and will give you a slight sound difference once installed. There isn't too much sound delivery from certain intakes unless you get something where you pop the hood and the intake is sitting right there. Personally I would leave the airbox all stock, it's absolutely perfect as is dynamically.

LateBraking · 07-19-2010, 06:48 PM

To be honest, they're all going to sound the same, unless they have fitment issues. Then they'll just rattle a lot. Pick BMC or Macht Schnell. For BMC, make sure to get the correct one for your model year. For Macht Schell, make sure that you get the adapter if you need it.

kitw · 07-19-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying

To be honest, they're all going to sound the same, unless they have fitment issues. Then they'll just rattle a lot. Pick BMC or Macht Schnell. For BMC, make sure to get the correct one for your model year. For Macht Schell, make sure that you get the adapter if you need it.

heh, mine rattles just a touch even though it fits fine! Both the MS and the BMC did this. oh well. They don't make much sound difference on the 2011... a little bit, but much larger delta with the 2008/2009 that had the charcoal filter.

But yeah, all the stock drop in filters are going to sound pretty much the same. The open intake systems will make more noise.

Kiemyster · 07-19-2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kitw

heh, mine rattles just a touch even though it fits fine! Both the MS and the BMC did this. oh well. They don't make much sound difference on the 2011... a little bit, but much larger delta with the 2008/2009 that had the charcoal filter.

But yeah, all the stock drop in filters are going to sound pretty much the same. The open intake systems will make more noise.

examples? im clueless when it comes to M3 tuning.

Richbot · 07-19-2010, 09:25 PM

There's a huge dragonfly in my airbox right now that I sucked in through the front intake. I keep seeing the wings sticking out of the vent in the hood when I'm at speed, then it falls back down into the box when I'm stopped.

Whatever filter you choose, the sound won't change much, but make sure it filters out dragonflies. In my experience, the Macht Schnell filter is 100% effective in this regard.

DevJ · 07-19-2010, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richbot

There's a huge dragonfly in my airbox right now that I sucked in through the front intake. I keep seeing the wings sticking out of the vent in the hood when I'm at speed, then it falls back down into the box when I'm stopped.

Whatever filter you choose, the sound won't change much, but make sure it filters out dragonflies. In my experience, the Macht Schnell filter is 100% effective in this regard.

This happened to me before also!! I felt so bad for the poor bug, he was still alive. I WOT and it took him off my hood vent and I opened my hood and got him out. he was dead

OMID INC · 07-19-2010, 10:40 PM

they all sound the best

ponch_ki · 07-19-2010, 11:01 PM

I also think they all sound the same lol, the sound at high revs would probably drownout any minute differences the filter would give out, thats just me though

Genro757 · 07-20-2010, 12:11 AM

I've got the TecnoCraft Envy full system paired with the BMC filter...wicked intake sound!

tom @ eas · 07-20-2010, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMID INC

they all sound the best

E92M3Guy · 07-20-2010, 12:31 AM

They all do the same thing, just get whatever fits your pocket the best. Some are more expensive than others hence profit margin.

kitw · 07-20-2010, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richbot

There's a huge dragonfly in my airbox right now that I sucked in through the front intake. I keep seeing the wings sticking out of the vent in the hood when I'm at speed, then it falls back down into the box when I'm stopped.

Whatever filter you choose, the sound won't change much, but make sure it filters out dragonflies. In my experience, the Macht Schnell filter is 100% effective in this regard.

heh, the M5 community discovered that blocking off the bottom airbox inlets gave a few more horsepower (arguably within dyno error). I wonder if the same thing is true of the M3 airbox? I doubt it, given the design, I bet the S65 gets all the air it can handle...

MrHarris · 07-20-2010, 04:40 AM

I think my AFE was louder than the MS, but the MS seems to be thicker as far as the material goes.

Kiemyster · 07-20-2010, 10:51 AM

Well in all my searching of over hundreds of posts, ive come to the clear understanding that BMC is the superior choice in all aspects. Its a no-brainer i guess. for $130 you cant go wrong. it makes me sad that the performance air filter on my shitty 320i cost me tripled this... But on that little 4 banger, it made it sound meaner than every car. Every one tells me my car has an orgasmic sound that is unrivaled. A perfect balance of exhaust growl and mechanical precision. I love hearing the WHOOSH sound now, its so dramatic. I keep the car in 2nd gear/3rd gear at high revs all the time just to hear her melody

that stage 2 gen 2 K&N really made a massive difference on the car. My 0-60 time dropped by a full second after I made some makeshift air ducts to sweep in more air.

I cant even imagine what the M3 sounds like!!!! 2 weeks till pickup

shamoo · 07-20-2010, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying

To be honest, they're all going to sound the same, unless they have fitment issues. Then they'll just rattle a lot. Pick BMC or Macht Schnell. For BMC, make sure to get the correct one for your model year. For Macht Schell, make sure that you get the adapter if you need it.

I just ordered/installed my Macht Schnell. What "adapter" are you speaking of? It went into my 08 M3. It was a tight fit to get the clamp on and depress that "button" in the side of the airbox, but it fit.

I can see that maybe the "funnel" piece doesn't fit perfectly against the Macht Schnell filter, but since it's pressed against it so hard, I don't see anything wrong.

LateBraking · 07-20-2010, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamoo

I just ordered/installed my Macht Schnell. What "adapter" are you speaking of? It went into my 08 M3. It was a tight fit to get the clamp on and depress that "button" in the side of the airbox, but it fit.

I can see that maybe the "funnel" piece doesn't fit perfectly against the Macht Schnell filter, but since it's pressed against it so hard, I don't see anything wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying

For Macht Schell, make sure that you get the adapter if you need it.

The newer M3's, (You and I having a 2008, irrelevant to us.) I believe 2010+, have the European air box. A cost-savings move from BMW, to address a difference that didn't really make sense in the first place.

david @ eas · 07-20-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBeJayKaying

The newer M3's, (You and I having a 2008, irrelevant to us.) I believe 2010+, have the European air box. A cost-savings move from BMW, to address a difference that didn't really make sense in the first place.

+1

2008-2009 (unless it's a Euro Model), will not require the adapter. 2010-2011 M3's will require the adapter regardless of geographic location.

bavarian06 · 07-20-2010, 05:07 PM

i just noticed the sound yesterday morning (12am) when i was driving home from my friends place (usually my exhaust drowns everything out - guess exhaust wasnt warmed up yet).

makes a different tone at 5K. i have the bmc + rpi scoops.

07-19-2010, 06:27 PM	#1
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant 455 Rep 3,197 Posts Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	Which air filter sounds the best? I know it sounds shallow, but strictly on the basis of sound, which air filter is going to give the most growl. I dont really care about HP gains because they all seems quite negligible to me. So im picking my filter based on which instrument plays the sweeter tunes. Opinions? I've always heard Gruppe M makes the most amazing sound on their intake for the 335, does this ring true for the M3 as well? __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi
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07-19-2010, 06:41 PM	#2
david @ eas BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 257 Rep 4,048 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Anaheim iTrader: (5)	If this is going on your M3, then I would certianly look at the Macht Schnell filters that we carry. A good amount of guys off this forum are running the filter, and they absolutely love it. Though you said it doesn't matter to you what kind of HP gains you will see, you just want something reliable, well you'll be getting both with this filter. Since it's a cotton gauze filter, you can wash it, oil it back up and put it back in the car without issues (as long as you don't OVER oil of course). It's a great basic mod that holds up very well and will give you a slight sound difference once installed. There isn't too much sound delivery from certain intakes unless you get something where you pop the hood and the intake is sitting right there. Personally I would leave the airbox all stock, it's absolutely perfect as is dynamically.
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07-19-2010, 06:48 PM	#3
LateBraking Brigadier General 326 Rep 3,882 Posts Drives: Relatively Quick. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: U.S.A. iTrader: (27)	To be honest, they're all going to sound the same, unless they have fitment issues. Then they'll just rattle a lot. Pick BMC or Macht Schnell. For BMC, make sure to get the correct one for your model year. For Macht Schell, make sure that you get the adapter if you need it.
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07-19-2010, 09:25 PM	#6
Richbot Major General 2760 Rep 5,483 Posts Drives: Jerez Black E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: STL iTrader: (5)	There's a huge dragonfly in my airbox right now that I sucked in through the front intake. I keep seeing the wings sticking out of the vent in the hood when I'm at speed, then it falls back down into the box when I'm stopped. Whatever filter you choose, the sound won't change much, but make sure it filters out dragonflies. In my experience, the Macht Schnell filter is 100% effective in this regard. __________________
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07-19-2010, 10:40 PM	#8
OMID INC Lieutenant Colonel 92 Rep 1,562 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (6)	they all sound the best
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07-19-2010, 11:01 PM	#9
ponch_ki Second Lieutenant 53 Rep 297 Posts Drives: cars Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Manila, Philippines iTrader: (0)	I also think they all sound the same lol, the sound at high revs would probably drownout any minute differences the filter would give out, thats just me though __________________ 2008 AW E92 M3 (sold ) Amuse Ericsson Exhaust, Amuse Trunk, Vorsteiner Lip, BMW Performance Seats, AA SSK, AA Pulley, Gruppe-M Intake, BBS 19" LMs, AP Racing BBK 1994 BMW E36 M3 Euro (Track Car)
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07-20-2010, 12:11 AM	#10
Genro757 ///M-Flight VP 77 Rep 669 Posts Drives: '13 Frozen Red Edition E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NOVA/Virginia Beach, VA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 E92 M3 [0.00]	I've got the TecnoCraft Envy full system paired with the BMC filter...wicked intake sound! __________________ 2013 "Frozen Red Edition" E92 M3, M-DCT with all the 'fixin's, Akrapovic Evolution w/CF Tips, BPM Stage 2 Tune, BPM DCT Software
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07-20-2010, 12:31 AM	#12
E92M3Guy Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 203 Posts Drives: Black E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Diego / OC iTrader: (0)	They all do the same thing, just get whatever fits your pocket the best. Some are more expensive than others hence profit margin.
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07-20-2010, 04:40 AM	#14
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,025 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	I think my AFE was louder than the MS, but the MS seems to be thicker as far as the material goes. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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07-20-2010, 10:51 AM	#15
Kiemyster Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant 455 Rep 3,197 Posts Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Queens/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00] 2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00]	Well in all my searching of over hundreds of posts, ive come to the clear understanding that BMC is the superior choice in all aspects. Its a no-brainer i guess. for $130 you cant go wrong. it makes me sad that the performance air filter on my shitty 320i cost me tripled this... But on that little 4 banger, it made it sound meaner than every car. Every one tells me my car has an orgasmic sound that is unrivaled. A perfect balance of exhaust growl and mechanical precision. I love hearing the WHOOSH sound now, its so dramatic. I keep the car in 2nd gear/3rd gear at high revs all the time just to hear her melody that stage 2 gen 2 K&N really made a massive difference on the car. My 0-60 time dropped by a full second after I made some makeshift air ducts to sweep in more air. I cant even imagine what the M3 sounds like!!!! 2 weeks till pickup __________________ "AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i \| '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP \| '10 Silverstone X5M \| '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi
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07-20-2010, 05:07 PM	#19
bavarian06 Captain 74 Rep 911 Posts Drives: e46 m3 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: CA iTrader: (6)	i just noticed the sound yesterday morning (12am) when i was driving home from my friends place (usually my exhaust drowns everything out - guess exhaust wasnt warmed up yet). makes a different tone at 5K. i have the bmc + rpi scoops.
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