AFE intake for N51: sealed or regular? Dry vs. oiled filters?

StabPreflop · 06-17-2013, 08:43 AM

Hi all,

Noob here, please excuse the stupidity of any of my questions

I'm looking to get the AFE cold air intake for my '08 328xi sedan. First question is, they have an open version for $360 and a sealed one for $450. I'm guessing the sealed one should be much better and easily worth the $90 or 25% higher price. Right or wrong?

Second question is which filter to get: dry or oiled. I know the oiled one is supposed to provide more of a (theoretical?) boost, but on the other hand, the dry one is supposed to filter more effectively -- something like 99.5% vs 98.5%. Is this a good reason to consider getting the dry one? Those extra particles can't be good for the engine, right? Does anyone know the filtration rate of the stock paper filters?

Also, how hard is it for an inexperienced guy like me to maintain the oiled filter without getting into trouble, whether by overoiling or something else? I'm pretty eager to learn but if it's very easy to muck up my sensors and not realize until it's too late, that's a little scary.

Thanks for reading!

benzo23 · 06-17-2013, 09:20 AM

Go with a sealed dry setup if you absolutely have to have one, plus you can get the sealed boxed in the 370's now anyways not 450 anymore.

http://www.topgearsolutions.com/afe-...328i-330i.html

StabPreflop · 06-17-2013, 09:51 AM

Thanks!! That's much better

SDemetris · 06-17-2013, 01:14 PM

Dry vs. oiled does not make a difference really. If you get oiled, i would just be sure to clean your MAF sensor more often. Both of those intakes have a fairly common problem associated with them though. The open intake causes "surging" which is pixed by making a spacer for the maf. There is a whole thread for that.. The sealed box is giving some people error codes for lean engine conditions. You can just go to autozone or something and clear the code, its not a big deal. A software tune like AA, eurocharged, ess, etc. would also change the AFRs so that the light would probably turn on

6MT_Addict · 06-17-2013, 01:43 PM

^^ +1.

Rule of thumb, if you do an intake make it sealed unless all you want is sound. Open intakes will suck in hot air from your engine compartment. No matter how many tubes you have funneling cold air towards the filter unless its sealed it will draw in warm air and kill the engines performance.

An alternate you might be interested in is a euro filter mod, basically a cone filter in the stock airbox

StabPreflop · 06-17-2013, 02:44 PM

Big thanks for all your help, guys. I'm getting the sealed one with dry filter from Top Gear.

NorthernCAE90 · 06-17-2013, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benzo23

Go with a sealed dry setup if you absolutely have to have one, plus you can get the sealed boxed in the 370's now anyways not 450 anymore.

http://www.topgearsolutions.com/afe-...328i-330i.html

I was thinking about getting this one as well.... IF anyone has some input on it that would be really great!!! Also OP if you end up getting it, let me know how it feels!!!

Thanks

Ben0426 · 06-17-2013, 11:58 PM

I have 325i(N52), can I use 328(N51) intake???

StabPreflop · 06-18-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NorthernCAE90

Also OP if you end up getting it, let me know how it feels!!!:

Will do! I ordered it yesterday so it will be a while before I get it and put it on. But I will update this thread when it's done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben0426

I have 325i(N52), can I use 328(N51) intake???

I know, or rather I was told by both AFE and Top Gear Solutions, that the same intake fits both N51 and N52 versions of the 328. I would guess that means it will fit your 325 as well, but you might as well just call AFE and ask them -- their number is at the bottom of their page at http://afepower.com/

Eagle1oh7 · 06-18-2013, 07:24 PM

Here ya go, I installed this about 2-3 months ago and no issues whatsoever.

CrAzY ChInOz · 06-26-2013, 09:00 PM

I have the sealed box with dry filter on my e92 328xi for a month already. No problems yet. *knock on wood*.

I went with dry filter cuz it require less maintenance and its also washable. I had oiled filters in my other car and hate washing and oiling it all the time. Also the sealed box blocks out the hot engine heat compared to the open box type.

I also have the magnaflow catback exhaust with this intake. Love the sound combo. Not too loud and no drone on highway.

06-17-2013, 08:43 AM	#1
StabPreflop Private First Class 8 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '23 M5 Comp Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	AFE intake for N51: sealed or regular? Dry vs. oiled filters? Hi all, Noob here, please excuse the stupidity of any of my questions I'm looking to get the AFE cold air intake for my '08 328xi sedan. First question is, they have an open version for $360 and a sealed one for $450. I'm guessing the sealed one should be much better and easily worth the $90 or 25% higher price. Right or wrong? Second question is which filter to get: dry or oiled. I know the oiled one is supposed to provide more of a (theoretical?) boost, but on the other hand, the dry one is supposed to filter more effectively -- something like 99.5% vs 98.5%. Is this a good reason to consider getting the dry one? Those extra particles can't be good for the engine, right? Does anyone know the filtration rate of the stock paper filters? Also, how hard is it for an inexperienced guy like me to maintain the oiled filter without getting into trouble, whether by overoiling or something else? I'm pretty eager to learn but if it's very easy to muck up my sensors and not realize until it's too late, that's a little scary. Thanks for reading!
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06-17-2013, 09:20 AM	#2
benzo23 Colonel 74 Rep 2,848 Posts Drives: 14 F30 AW MSport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: FL iTrader: (1)	Go with a sealed dry setup if you absolutely have to have one, plus you can get the sealed boxed in the 370's now anyways not 450 anymore. http://www.topgearsolutions.com/afe-...328i-330i.html
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06-17-2013, 09:51 AM	#3
StabPreflop Private First Class 8 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '23 M5 Comp Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	Thanks!! That's much better
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06-17-2013, 01:14 PM	#4
SDemetris FSAE Dude 61 Rep 759 Posts Drives: E90 328xi Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	Dry vs. oiled does not make a difference really. If you get oiled, i would just be sure to clean your MAF sensor more often. Both of those intakes have a fairly common problem associated with them though. The open intake causes "surging" which is pixed by making a spacer for the maf. There is a whole thread for that.. The sealed box is giving some people error codes for lean engine conditions. You can just go to autozone or something and clear the code, its not a big deal. A software tune like AA, eurocharged, ess, etc. would also change the AFRs so that the light would probably turn on __________________ 2007 TiAg 328xi: AA Tune, AFE intake, Full exhaust, 335xi Brakes, H&R RSB, UUC FSB, H&R Sports, Billy Sports...BBS SR 17x8 1985 Gazelle Beige 325e: Poly everything, e24 3.25 LSD, 225 lb weight reduction, Corbeau FX1, Shifter machined by me, roll bar, harness, all the other goodies. My "Racecar"...15x7 BBS RA
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06-17-2013, 01:43 PM	#5
6MT_Addict Captain 283 Rep 888 Posts Drives: 08 135i M Sport 6MT, 15 X3 35i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Edmonton iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW 135i [10.00]	^^ +1. Rule of thumb, if you do an intake make it sealed unless all you want is sound. Open intakes will suck in hot air from your engine compartment. No matter how many tubes you have funneling cold air towards the filter unless its sealed it will draw in warm air and kill the engines performance. An alternate you might be interested in is a euro filter mod, basically a cone filter in the stock airbox __________________ 2015 Cosmic Blue Metallic Wrapped X3 35i ///M Sport Full 3M Vinyl Wrap \| Flat Black Grilles
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06-17-2013, 02:44 PM	#6
StabPreflop Private First Class 8 Rep 115 Posts Drives: '23 M5 Comp Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (0)	Big thanks for all your help, guys. I'm getting the sealed one with dry filter from Top Gear.
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06-17-2013, 11:58 PM	#8
Ben0426 First Lieutenant 20 Rep 302 Posts Drives: e92 325i /RR Sport Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Sydney iTrader: (1)	I have 325i(N52), can I use 328(N51) intake???
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06-18-2013, 07:24 PM	#10
Eagle1oh7 Lieutenant Colonel 287 Rep 1,710 Posts Drives: '11 328i Sedan Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Chula Vista CA iTrader: (0)	Here ya go, I installed this about 2-3 months ago and no issues whatsoever. __________________ DONE: Seibon CF Hood, M3 Rep, MSport rear w/DD CF Diffuser, M3 Rep Skirts, Seibon CSL trunklid, Forgestar F14 18s w/Michelin PSS, Eisenmann catback, AA Headers, BPC Stage 2, Charcoal Delete+revMotor+AFE Drop In filter FUTURE MODS: LED headlights, CF rooftop, M3 Suspension Conversion, Dinan CAI Mod
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06-26-2013, 09:00 PM	#11
CrAzY ChInOz Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 218 Posts Drives: E92 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: East Coast iTrader: (16)	I have the sealed box with dry filter on my e92 328xi for a month already. No problems yet. knock on wood. I went with dry filter cuz it require less maintenance and its also washable. I had oiled filters in my other car and hate washing and oiling it all the time. Also the sealed box blocks out the hot engine heat compared to the open box type. I also have the magnaflow catback exhaust with this intake. Love the sound combo. Not too loud and no drone on highway.
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