[cstavaru]

Hi,

I just noticed that the Alpina B3 S biturbo (400hp) possibly has a different airbox than the 335i. They use a different mechanism for securing the lid to the airbox, this makes me think that the whole airbox is custom made.

The question is, is the Alpina airbox better than the 335i one or is it made just for displaying the "Alpina" text on it ?

Oh, and does anyone know how much does it cost ?

[GreenPlease]

IMO, just made to display Alpina's logo. The runners to the compressor side of the turbos is the same.

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Alpina uses the airbox from the BMW Performance package for the 335i, which is also installed in the 335is. Nothing custom about it.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[cstavaru]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

Alpina uses the airbox from the BMW Performance package for the 335i, which is also installed in the 335is. Nothing custom about it.

Alpina_B3_Lux

What ? BMW Performance airbox ? I tought BMW Performance didn't touch the airbox/intake until now ? Do you have a part number for that "BMW Performance airbox" ?

EDIT: Here is a photo of the 335is engine bay, it has a stock airbox. But it does have the Power Kit hardware, the fan relay is visible...

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

What ? BMW Performance airbox ? I tought BMW Performance didn't touch the airbox/intake until now ? Do you have a part number for that "BMW Performance airbox" ?

EDIT: Here is a photo of the 335is engine bay, it has a stock airbox.
It does have the Power Kit hardware, the fan relay is visible...

I misspoke. I didn't mean the airbox (it stays indeed identical), but the additional cooling bits aka additional watercooler + fan, which also includes different air ducts in the front (plus of course an additional oil cooler). Alpina also speaks about a modification in the air intake system, which as far as I know is limited to a drop-in air filter.

Back-pressure optimization as also mentioned by Alpina may mean that the exhaust system has been further optimized, but as the emissions have even improved over the B3 BT I think high flow cats can be ruled out (probably only third section improvement, resonator / mufflers).

Alpina_B3_Lux

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

I misspoke. I didn't mean the airbox (it stays indeed identical), but the additional cooling bits aka additional watercooler + fan, which also includes different air ducts in the front (plus of course an additional oil cooler). Alpina also speaks about a modification in the air intake system, which as far as I know is limited to a drop-in air filter.

Back-pressure optimization as also mentioned by Alpina may mean that the exhaust system has been further optimized, but as the emissions have even improved over the B3 BT I think high flow cats can be ruled out (probably only third section improvement, resonator / mufflers).

Alpina_B3_Lux

I just received some more detailed informations about the differences between the B3 BT and the B3S BT which were published in a German car magazine:

- newly designed air filter box
- redesigned air inducts with wider diameter
- modified primary catalysts (i.e. in the downpipes) with more efficient coating
- removal of secondary catalysts (!)
- increase of boost pressure by 0.2bar
- reprogrammation of the ECU

I therefore have to correct my previous comments.

It's really surprising that Alpina gets a EU5 emissions clearance (i.e. better than the 335i / B3 BT) in spite of installing higher flowing primary catalysts and removing the secondary ones.

None of the above modifications are (at least officially) available without acquiring an Alpina B3S BT.

Alpina_B3_Lux

[cstavaru]

Originally Posted by Alpina_B3_Lux

I just received some more detailed informations about the differences between the B3 BT and the B3S BT which were published in a German car magazine:

- newly designed air filter box
- redesigned air inducts with wider diameter
- modified primary catalysts (i.e. in the downpipes) with more efficient coating
- removal of secondary catalysts (!)
- increase of boost pressure by 0.2bar
- reprogrammation of the ECU

I therefore have to correct my previous comments.

It's really surprising that Alpina gets a EU5 emissions clearance (i.e. better than the 335i / B3 BT) in spite of installing higher flowing primary catalysts and removing the secondary ones.

None of the above modifications are (at least officially) available without acquiring an Alpina B3S BT.

Alpina_B3_Lux

Thanks for the info ! I have a feeling that if (when?) BMW Performance will release an intake for the N54, it will have modified air ducts from the airbox to the turbos just like Alpina.

For $1000 I would buy an Alpina airbox assembly...but it probably costs even more than this...and it probably is not available if you don't have an Alpina car

[Alpina_B3_Lux]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

Thanks for the info ! I have a feeling that if (when?) BMW Performance will release an intake for the N54, it will have modified air ducts from the airbox to the turbos just like Alpina.

For $1000 I would buy an Alpina airbox assembly...but it probably costs even more than this...and it probably is not available if you don't have an Alpina car

I agree - Alpina has always made very limited parts available to people without buying a car at the same time - usually only their wheels, spoilers and suspension (and even the latter not for every car).

Here's also a photo of the Alpina airbox (almost twice as large as the one of the 335i or B3 BT):

Alpina_B3_Lux

[marcel b]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

Thanks for the info ! I have a feeling that if (when?) BMW Performance will release an intake for the N54, it will have modified air ducts from the airbox to the turbos just like Alpina.

For $1000 I would buy an Alpina airbox assembly...but it probably costs even more than this...and it probably is not available if you don't have an Alpina car

let's hope the BMW performance arrives soon This is something I can imagine below the hood of my car

[gandichello]

Hi. Does anybody have full list of original Alpina parts for e92 BT? I asked dealer, but they told me that they had no rights to give out such catalog. And only read some options from catalog by phone.
Thank you

[CSL335i]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

Thanks for the info ! I have a feeling that if (when?) BMW Performance will release an intake for the N54, it will have modified air ducts from the airbox to the turbos just like Alpina.

For $1000 I would buy an Alpina airbox assembly...but it probably costs even more than this...and it probably is not available if you don't have an Alpina car

Tuningwerk has also a modified aribox and turbo charge pipe kit, which more effecient than factory one. I saw this aribox design from other german tuning companies, so i cannot decide, who is manufacturing them...

http://www.tuningwerk.de/tuningwerk/...XegQa1EqZAezgg

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

Thanks for the info ! I have a feeling that if (when?) BMW Performance will release an intake for the N54, it will have modified air ducts from the airbox to the turbos just like Alpina.

For $1000 I would buy an Alpina airbox assembly...but it probably costs even more than this...and it probably is not available if you don't have an Alpina car

Originally Posted by CSL335i

Tuningwerk has also a modified aribox and turbo charge pipe kit, which more effecient than factory one. I saw this aribox design from other german tuning companies, so i cannot decide, who is manufacturing them...

http://www.tuningwerk.de/tuningwerk/...XegQa1EqZAezgg

Depending on availability in your area and assuming a favorable exchange rate, you might want to take a look at a Dinan cold air intake, $1300US, as a nice alternative to the Alpine unit.

[benzy89]

Originally Posted by shortseller

Depending on availability in your area and assuming a favorable exchange rate, you might want to take a look at a Dinan cold air intake, $1300US, as a nice alternative to the Alpine unit.

That doesn't replace the intake piping (which is 14mm larger on the Alpina/Tuningwerk Upgrade), which is where you're really gonna see the power gains

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by benzy89

That doesn't replace the intake piping (which is 14mm larger on the Alpina/Tuningwerk Upgrade), which is where you're really gonna see the power gains

+1 exactly this.

I would love for a US company to purchase these and make replicas for the US market. I'm really wondering if there is a noticeable difference in airflow over the OEM inlet pipes (which everyone describles as extremely restrictive + flat as pancakes).

[shortseller]

Originally Posted by benzy89

That doesn't replace the intake piping (which is 14mm larger on the Alpina/Tuningwerk Upgrade), which is where you're really gonna see the power gains

Yeah but it's much prettier!

But frankly in terms of gains over the OEM intake....