big525i

and as you can see now the side of the filter is right next to the ram air tube from the original intake box and with the RPI scoop cold air gets forced up in there

G530

+1

Reviving this great discussion b/c I may be interested in a cold air intake setup. A change from the current RPI scoop and K&N drop in filter. Although current is good, I am wondering how much better is the cold air intake setup. I'd love to hear more from anyone who's had good results.

metroE60

Did you install the pro 5 R yourself? If so, how time consuming was it?

Vanderbee

I can tell you from personal experience that the AFE Pro5R did nothing but bad to my 08 550. It sounded great but definitely felt a loss of power and the car would hesitate from a stop in a bad way! I read pros and cons (more cons) about it after I made the mistake of purchasing and installing it. Was foolish enough after installing and removing to give it a second shot with same results. I have it still with less thena couple days of use if anyone thinks it would actually increase HP!

Vanderbee

Big525

If you think it would do well on your 525 I see you live in north jersey, if you want to come pick it up im in central Jersey ill let it go for $100.00. Takes about 20 min on the install. Not sure if its compatible or not I have 2008 550i

malm0n75

[attachment=169283SC04173.JPG][attachment=169285:I_V31411830_CL_1.jpg][attachment=169284SC04182.JPG]I have an 08' 528xi, & in my quest to get more power (should have gone for the 535 or 550) I have tried both the afe Stage2 kit & "BMC+scoop"......

I first tried afe stage2 kit for 5months then added the RPI scoop & then decided put back the stock airbox + BMC minus the charcoal filter.... and to be perfectly honest, I did not feel a difference (car actually sounded "strained" ---"reverse placebo effect") & after a week I missed the afe intake "growl" so I put it back on.... (ignorance is bliss ---do what makes you happy!

Being aware of the heat soak when the car is at idle; I added a bigger heat shield foam tube (same material they use for copper pipe insulation) see photo below --- i know, iknow, it looks ghetto now (plus my riced out strut bar ).... I'm now thinking of getting a "volant CAI kit" since it looks cleaner & its sealed (see photo at bottom of post)

my afe stage2 kit:


with scoops (with or without the afe cai, you gotta add the scoop)


my future experiment

Beaman528i

MobBargains,

I'm going against conventional wisdom here by doing this but who cares ...I like the looks and sounds of the aFe intake even though there's claims of heat soak and what not. Just wondering though can the price of this intake be had for the same price offered on your web site for my '08 LCI? I currently don't have a scoop either and would assume the scoop and aFe would be a combination to have. Can you pm me with some numbers please? Everyone else that's probably shaking your heads at those of us that simply don't go the RPI and RMC filter direction, just let us live and do what we do. We'll find out in the end. It's funny because I just PM'd two vendors today about intakes and didn't get any responses. Please let me know what you can do for me on this deal.

Thanks,
Scott

Arctic-Rodz

I've been all over this topic in other threads... My "theory" is that the engine compartment on the E60 is sealed in comparison to all the other vehicles i've ever purchased.
When I pick up the hood after weeks of driving, the area is relatively clean. Some minor dust but nothing close to all my other vehicles. Meaning that other intake systems have worked so well because you get an abundance of outside air for the intake system to suck up.

Now, after reading all the threads putting down the AFE kit. I decided to do the K&N drop in, Carbon filter delete and RPI scoop. I actually felt the difference. Car feels to pull harder up top. 60+MPH - 130MPH

I think the stock air intake is ok, OK not the best. Everyone who's ever put an intake kit knows that they remove the intake tube all the way to the box that holds the filter. That being said, I think the weak links to the intake kit is

this:


That big box is open to the intake tube, it reduces noise. BUT does it but breaking up the airflow inside it before it enters the throttle body. That little ridged piece after the mass air flow sensor does the same.

Im trying to find tubing to eliminate those pieces of the stock intake system. In my opinion, THAT along with the K&N drop in filter, Carbon filter delete, and RPI scoops will yield the biggest gains.

Why? Well, the stock intake box has that tube that leads toward the grill area to bring in air already, the RPI scoop helps bring in that air more effectively since that tube doesnt go all the way out toward the grill. The surface area of the filter is already pretty big, the K&N filter improves air flow (is what i've always heard) and removing those pieces I've mentioned above will allow the air to go straight in with no interruption.


Thats my story and im sticking to it.

troc

My two cents for what it's worth. I installed the aFe stage 2 intake in my 07 550i a few weeks ago. I love the way it made my car sound and it was exactly what I was looking for. At the end of the day it's your money to spend. The threads are great because you get to see what other enthusiast have done and get their input, but you should have an idea on what you want to accomplish and what end result you want to see. IMO a good question to ask after the purchase is would you buy it again? In my case yes, I would.

mama

AFE is an awesome mod in my opinion. However can we add a RPI scoop coupled with it? Sorry for silly question but I m really curious. Thanks