Air Scoops - Functional or Cosmetic? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

WOT Bimmer · 02-02-2013, 03:07 PM

I know this question will probably get laughed right off the forums, but I think it's worth asking...

With how much talk or air scoops goes on I am wondering if it is simply a cosmetic/mental thing, or if it truly does boost engine performance by funneling more air into the intake. I'm not looking for oodles of gain, but is there any functional benefit to scoops, or is it simply cosmetic?

Thanks!

Phil325i · 02-02-2013, 03:15 PM

At speeds only legal on the Autobahn - possibly. In 'normal driving' - unlikely.

WOT Bimmer · 02-02-2013, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

At speeds only legal on the Autobahn - possibly. In 'normal driving' - unlikely.

lol... Probably not worth my $40 then.

SDemetris · 02-02-2013, 05:21 PM

I figure that i like the way they look and any power increase is just a bonus

DUI Elite · 02-02-2013, 05:27 PM

Functional above 70 mph for sure. Better throttle response mainly.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it has like 20 more hp. maybe +2 hp above 80.

Cosmetic in that people realize it probably isn't a stock BMW anymore.

rorkor · 02-02-2013, 06:31 PM

I don't think that scoops produce any more power than your car can already make. It does help fresher, ambient temperature air make its way to the intake. I have them primarily for traffic where otherwise, hot air from my radiator gets sucked up instead of fresh air which is cooler as well.

DC_Oldboy · 02-03-2013, 01:56 AM

I'll start by LOL! There's a huge thread about it if I remember.. But seriously I have them installed too lol.. For $30/$40 used/new why not right? It's just another mod to add to the list. =)

CombatNinja · 02-03-2013, 08:17 AM

I would argue that air scoops are neither functional nor cosmetic.

Smooth 330i · 02-03-2013, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kd8ksn

I know this question will probably get laughed right off the forums, but I think it's worth asking...

With how much talk or air scoops goes on I am wondering if it is simply a cosmetic/mental thing, or if it truly does boost engine performance by funneling more air into the intake. I'm not looking for oodles of gain, but is there any functional benefit to scoops, or is it simply cosmetic?

Thanks!

air scoops = bug eaters

Lagger1 · 02-03-2013, 10:50 PM

M3 guys gained 2-3hp at 80mph+. That's the only dyno I've seen...this was back in the day

I've got'em. Only downside I see is driving in the rain

Phil325i · 02-04-2013, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lagger1

Only downside I see is driving in the rain

At least the Cyba scoops have slots in to redirect the rainwater away from the airstream...

benzo23 · 02-04-2013, 09:38 AM

I wouldn't bother with them, esp with all the rain and bug we have down here.

fravel · 02-04-2013, 02:55 PM

I noticed a +1 mpg increase after I installed mine.

monkey_wrench · 02-04-2013, 04:00 PM

I saw a MPG increase after installing them.

Blindside_137 · 02-04-2013, 04:47 PM

They look gross IMO. Not to mention probably nothing in overall performance. They should be shaped more elegantly than some fat looking rectangles. No thanks...

02-02-2013, 03:07 PM	#1
WOT Bimmer First Lieutenant Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ohio Posts: 329 iTrader: (0)	Air Scoops - Functional or Cosmetic? I know this question will probably get laughed right off the forums, but I think it's worth asking... With how much talk or air scoops goes on I am wondering if it is simply a cosmetic/mental thing, or if it truly does boost engine performance by funneling more air into the intake. I'm not looking for oodles of gain, but is there any functional benefit to scoops, or is it simply cosmetic? Thanks!
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02-02-2013, 03:15 PM	#2
Phil325i Lieutenant Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East Posts: 522 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [0.00]	At speeds only legal on the Autobahn - possibly. In 'normal driving' - unlikely. __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; K&N; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; M3 rear spoiler; LED Angels; BMW Perf black grille; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof

02-02-2013, 05:21 PM	#4
SDemetris Private First Class Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 134 iTrader: (0)	I figure that i like the way they look and any power increase is just a bonus __________________ 2007 328xi - Sport Package- Cold Weather Package - 6MT - BMW PE - Secondary Cats Removed - 3 Stage Intake Manifold - Charcoal Filter Delete - Intake Muffler Delete - AFe dry drop in filter - Cyba Scoops - CDV Delete - H&R Sport Springs - Bilstein Sport Shocks - Black Kidneys - CF Mirror Caps - Custom Gunmetal Powder Coated M-Parallels

02-02-2013, 06:31 PM	#6
rorkor Second Lieutenant Drives: '11 E90 N52 6MT Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: here Posts: 276 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 E70 X5 35d [5.00] 2011 E90 328i [5.00]	I don't think that scoops produce any more power than your car can already make. It does help fresher, ambient temperature air make its way to the intake. I have them primarily for traffic where otherwise, hot air from my radiator gets sucked up instead of fresh air which is cooler as well. __________________

02-03-2013, 01:56 AM	#7
DC_Oldboy O-(^.~Q) Drives: 2006 330i 6MT Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 2,320 iTrader: (34) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [4.00]	I'll start by LOL! There's a huge thread about it if I remember.. But seriously I have them installed too lol.. For $30/$40 used/new why not right? It's just another mod to add to the list. =) __________________

02-02-2013, 05:27 PM	#5
DUI Elite ///M at Heart Drives: 2006 SGM E90 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,300 iTrader: (2)	Functional above 70 mph for sure. Better throttle response mainly. I wouldn't go so far as to say it has like 20 more hp. maybe +2 hp above 80. Cosmetic in that people realize it probably isn't a stock BMW anymore.

02-03-2013, 08:17 AM	#8
CombatNinja Defender of the Universe Drives: e91 328i, e90 328i, e90 335i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: United States Posts: 1,031 iTrader: (0)	I would argue that air scoops are neither functional nor cosmetic.

02-03-2013, 10:50 PM	#10
Lagger1 Private First Class Drives: valvetronic engaged Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 139 iTrader: (0)	M3 guys gained 2-3hp at 80mph+. That's the only dyno I've seen...this was back in the day I've got'em. Only downside I see is driving in the rain __________________ 2006 330i \| AW \| 6MT \| ZSP \| LOGIC \| ADAPTIVE \| PBX

02-04-2013, 09:38 AM	#12
benzo23 Colonel Drives: 11 e92 AW MSport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: FL Posts: 2,309 iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't bother with them, esp with all the rain and bug we have down here.

02-04-2013, 02:55 PM	#13
fravel Private First Class Drives: Monaco Blue '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: United States Posts: 187 iTrader: (0)	I noticed a +1 mpg increase after I installed mine.

02-04-2013, 04:00 PM	#14
monkey_wrench Caught the Bimmer-Bug Drives: '06 330i Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Florida Posts: 601 iTrader: (7) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	I saw a MPG increase after installing them.

02-04-2013, 04:47 PM	#15
Blindside_137 Colonel Drives: '09 E93 Space Gray 328 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 2,991 iTrader: (1)	They look gross IMO. Not to mention probably nothing in overall performance. They should be shaped more elegantly than some fat looking rectangles. No thanks... __________________ Matte Black Grilles\|Painted Reflectors\|Matte Black Vinyl Window Trim\|M3 Lip Spoiler\|35% Tint\|19" Satin Black Avant Garde M359\|Lux H8 V3\|OEM Aero Lip\|Cyba

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