Took mine out in about 5 mins. I noticed a free reving quality to the engine and slightly more responsiveness. Don't know if it adds HP but it make sense that more air to the engine would provide a better throttle response.

BTW...some leaves, no styrofoam.

 

Welcome back, man!

 

I will try it on my xi tomorrow and figure if there's any difference. I'm sure it's going to do something, but not in the bad way as long as the air flow volume doesn't exceed what the stock MAF could understand.

 

noy sure if my 530 has that or not, but got to check it asap, awesome tips Lomaq!

 

20 rwhp gain from M5 dyno:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=69594

 

Just removed the filter, took me less than 5 mins to do the whole thing. Few impressions, throttle response has definitely improved, car's pick up is much smoother and more willing, car's idling RPM is a bit higher than before, noticeable intake sound with a more solid exhaust note. Overall this is probably the best modification I've done to my car, and I would highly recommend this modification to anyone with a new 5.

 

Did the mod this weekend....be sure to remove any clips that hang on to the top of the filter box. After two days, I double checked and found one hanging on for dear life....hanging chad anyone?

Having driven the car for the weekend on various errands--including a hand wash and wax courtesy of Don Mackey BMW in Tucson--I think the mod improves throttle response and torque noticably, though you must be perceptive. I drive in DS routinely.

I think it is a good and free mod worth taking the five minutes to perform. On the other, say you're blood runs green and you drive a bimmer anyway....the charcoal filter smells strongly of gasoline. Removing it is not in the best interest of Mother Nature....that said, don't be a b i a t c h.

 

Interesting, I never smelled mine. Next I will be replacing my lovely stock intake pipe with an aluminum piece fabricated by a race shop I work closely with, will post pics when it's done along with brakes & bodykit.

 

2Many--

Are you doing anything to your intake box as well? Maybe a hood scoop?

 

The intake box is quite adequately sized for the N52 engine, I can't find a way to improve what seems to work best in terms of getting cold air for everyday use. Hood scoop is nice, but it wouldn't look right on our car. Sure I could come up with an idea of relocating the filter right behind the lower grill mesh, but I wouldn't want rocks and debris to destroy my exposed filter.

The reason I want to use an aluminum intake pipe from the MAF sensor to the throttle body is because I don't see the need of a resonator on top of the intake tube. Sure it will lower the engine/intake noise for passengers, but it will also slow down the speed of the intake going to the throttle body, or might even create turbulance. I believe by removing the resonator along with the heat absorbing plastic intake tube from factory, I can probably gain another 2-3hp. Reason being aluminum is more reluctent to heat absorbtion, and air with lower temp with turbulance free would add power for the motor.

I will report back once I have the tube fabricated & installed, which I'm looking at in about a week.