I have a '95 525i, M50. I have been reading about the value of the cold air intake. When I look at my motor, the air intake goes into a large filter box then goes behind the headlights. It seems like it's already taken care of. Did a previous owner make a mod? Is there something I'm missing that could be done better?

Not sure but that sounds stock to me. Unless they modified the stock airbox and ran the intack throught that.

I think that's the stock airbox. It is a very efficient design and lots of people say you can't really improve on it so they don't install a CAI on the M20 5ers.

I've previously been advised that the stock intake is a pretty good design and the CAI doesn't really provide the bang for your buck.

What about on V8's? I read some things too that say dont use it yet everyone on this forum with a 5406 seems to have at least one.

usually intake kits will not improve peak HP numbers, but they usually increase over the entire curve of a dyno graph

What about on V8's? I read some things too that say dont use it yet everyone on this forum with a 5406 seems to have at least one.

Ditto. I also want to know this answer. I would invest in one simply because of the increased growl.

Ditto. I also want to know this answer. I would invest in one simply because of the increased growl.
Ahh, yes. The all important butt dyno. :biglaughb: The CAI may give you a couple hp on a 540. However, if it is a bumper mounted CAI, you can run the risk of hydrolock.

I think that's the stock airbox. It is a very efficient design and lots of people say you can't really improve on it so they don't install a CAI on the M20 5ers.

It's an M50 but I think your statement is still true. Good...one less thing I gotta do.:D

It's an M50 but I think your statement is still true. Good...one less thing I gotta do.:D
My m20 has a chip, exhaust and stock airbox.

My m20 has a chip, exhaust and stock airbox.

Which chip if I might ask? EAT?

Which chip if I might ask? EAT?
Got a Dinan from my friend for $75. Good price for a daily driver. I have an EAT in the M5 and I love it!

Turner Motorsports is the chip you want and you can make a very nice CAI for your car but your gonna have to cut a hole in the sheetmetal right under the airbox. I have an M50 and what I did was got a 45 degree 3" piece of intake piping off ebay and weapon R filter ( good foam filter with built in velocity stack!!), I then went down to my local muffler shop and got a piece of 3" straight pipe (8-10 inches will do). I coated both the pipes in truck bed liner and used 3" silicon connectors to join the bend, the pipe and the filter and viola you have a high flow intake, I will be making a custom heat shield to make it a functional CAI or I may as stated above cut a hole to mount the filter out from under the hood.

Turner Motorsports is the chip you want and you can make a very nice CAI for your car but your gonna have to cut a hole in the sheetmetal right under the airbox. I have an M50 and what I did was got a 45 degree 3" piece of intake piping off ebay and weapon R filter ( good foam filter with built in velocity stack!!), I then went down to my local muffler shop and got a piece of 3" straight pipe (8-10 inches will do). I coated both the pipes in truck bed liner and used 3" silicon connectors to join the bend, the pipe and the filter and viola you have a high flow intake, I will be making a custom heat shield to make it a functional CAI or I may as stated above cut a hole to mount the filter out from under the hood.

Your custom set-up sounds pretty sweet. Any pics?

When some good wheather hits ill snap a couple.

Turner Motorsports is the chip you want ...

Why do you recommend Turner's chip?

Ahh, yes. The all important butt dyno. :biglaughb: The CAI may give you a couple hp on a 540. However, if it is a bumper mounted CAI, you can run the risk of hydrolock.

Ok... well, let me provide a breif synopsis on the things i've read that are con to doing this. First thing is that a k&n filter has oil in it that can mess up your MAF. Which raises the question, did they change their design or is this still a problem? Second, is that the stock airbox provides a better laminar airflow to the MAF than a cone filter, further being that the change in intake tube length also messes things up a bit. So both my concerns are MAF related.

The other thing you mentioned is the bumper mounted open filter which I would never do under any circumstances.

If 1&2 are not a problem and a proper heat sheild can be fabricated, this is the way to go. But its a lot of ifs, however for me I know how to do the heat sheild properly.

what would the proper way to do a heat shield be?? btw the distance of my intake tube is within inches of what the stock intake length would be and I have no problems with my MAF. I agree not to use a K&N, they suck, go with a foam filter, it will cost you quite a bit more but will be worth it in the long run. I Use the turner chip and the car feels so much more responsive and powerful best 300 bux you can spend.

What about on V8's? I read some things too that say dont use it yet everyone on this forum with a 5406 seems to have at least one.

I still have my stock airbox.