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Z4M Air Intake Options / Benefits / Problems?

S

StevenH72

Lifer
OK, so given the recent arrival of the Eventuri VAI Carbon Intake, I am seriously tempted to move away from my OEM intake.

I know the GruppeM has been discussed in direct comparison and at the moment it is tough to tell whether the Eventuri will be any better (in terms of performance rather than sound). Have GruppeM owners experienced any power gains, or just a nicer intake growl?

I've read a few threads where owners were reporting power losses with the GruppeM?

Has the GruppeM caused any issues? I know Popey had issues when the GruppeM was installed, but ultimately the cause was traced elsewhere I believe?

What other alternatives are there (short of going for a CSL or CSL style system)?

I'm not really expecting any noticeable gains, but if I can maintain power / throttle response and smoothness of power delivery with a meaner induction growl I'll be pretty chuffed.
 
My arse dyno suggests my Gruppe M has increased smiles...

But in terms of real world gains, to be honest, I have no idea. It's quicker and more lively than my S3 and I'm only a few months into ownership, thus still learning the car. That's why I'm tempted by the Eventuri open day, in the hope I can get there early and nab a run on the dyno to show results.
 
I bought mine purely to balance the exhaust. Works to a point.

Think I'll have to go to either CSL-style airbox or trumpets/stacks with an Alpha-N tune - or go the whole hog and get a supercharger :P
 
ba3bas - is the Geoff Steel one Z4M specific or the one that's currently on M3 cutters??? :thumbsup:
 
JimmiVW said:
ba3bas - is the Geoff Steel one Z4M specific or the one that's currently on M3 cutters??? :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

There isn't a Z4 specific one so presume he means the Cutters one. Looks good, but bit of a risk as to if it'll fit the Zed correctly, different air intake position and all that.
 
Cheers AndyBeech - regarding 'Z4 specific' - repositioned snorkel - are we looking at Roy at CA again (who seems to get all my pocket money!!!)
http://www.ca-int.co.uk/products-Y2FyX21ha2U9Ym13JmNhcl90eXBlPXo0bSZjYXRfaWQ9NDQmY29tcF9pZD0xNzc=.html

As per TomK on this thread http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=74518
 
JimmiVW said:
Cheers AndyBeech - regarding 'Z4 specific' - repositioned snorkel - are we looking at Roy at CA again (who seems to get all my pocket money!!!)
http://www.ca-int.co.uk/products-Y2FyX21ha2U9Ym13JmNhcl90eXBlPXo0bSZjYXRfaWQ9NDQmY29tcF9pZD0xNzc=.html

As per TomK on this thread http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=74518
Click to expand...

If you've got that kinda money to burn then fair play to you, wish I had! Remember CA's is a copy though and don't think it has the 'flap' the CSL box does. Also you'll need to factor in a Alpha N tune to get the most out of the box, all in over £2000 Id imagine!
 
AndyBeech said:
JimmiVW said:
Cheers AndyBeech - regarding 'Z4 specific' - repositioned snorkel - are we looking at Roy at CA again (who seems to get all my pocket money!!!)
http://www.ca-int.co.uk/products-Y2FyX21ha2U9Ym13JmNhcl90eXBlPXo0bSZjYXRfaWQ9NDQmY29tcF9pZD0xNzc=.html

As per TomK on this thread http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=74518
Click to expand...

If you've got that kinda money to burn then fair play to you, wish I had! Remember CA's is a copy though and don't think it has the 'flap' the CSL box does. Also you'll need to factor in a Alpha N tune to get the most out of the box, all in over £2000 Id imagine!
Click to expand...

Andy, how do you find your GruppeM?
 
Andy - agreed, it ain't cheap and the new Eventuri job looks like good value - I'll keep you all posted if anything progresses!!!
- Geoff Steel is a 'copy' too if we're being specific, and I'm not sure the flap does all that much in real world terms, it's pretty trick though 8)
 
JimmiVW said:
Andy - agreed, it ain't cheap and the new Eventuri job looks like good value - I'll keep you all posted if anything progresses!!!
- Geoff Steel is a 'copy' too if we're being specific, and I'm not sure the flap does all that much in real world terms, it's pretty trick though 8)
Click to expand...

Indeed it is a copy, no idea on respective quality of either, only what I've read on Cutters. Either way it's a lot of dough but fair play if you get one, no doubt would sound epic!

Steve: The Gruppe for me is ideal, not outrageously expensive and I suspect gets a similar sound to the CSL box obviously not as good as you still have the original intake manifold box. But everyone I've been out with loves the sound, loud when giving it the beans. Haven't had any performance issues of note, or to be fair gains that I've noted specifically. I'm sure a remap of sorts would release some more performance from it but for me it was all about the sound so in that respect it was a no brainer. From the videos I've seen (not ideal as in the flesh) the Gruppe appears to be a bit louder than the Evolve one but hard to say without hearing both in the flesh.
 
AndyBeech said:
JimmiVW said:
Andy - agreed, it ain't cheap and the new Eventuri job looks like good value - I'll keep you all posted if anything progresses!!!
- Geoff Steel is a 'copy' too if we're being specific, and I'm not sure the flap does all that much in real world terms, it's pretty trick though 8)
Click to expand...

Indeed it is a copy, no idea on respective quality of either, only what I've read on Cutters. Either way it's a lot of dough but fair play if you get one, no doubt would sound epic!

Steve: The Gruppe for me is ideal, not outrageously expensive and I suspect gets a similar sound to the CSL box obviously not as good as you still have the original intake manifold box. But everyone I've been out with loves the sound, loud when giving it the beans. Haven't had any performance issues of note, or to be fair gains that I've noted specifically. I'm sure a remap of sorts would release some more performance from it but for me it was all about the sound so in that respect it was a no brainer. From the videos I've seen (not ideal as in the flesh) the Gruppe appears to be a bit louder than the Evolve one but hard to say without hearing both in the flesh.
Click to expand...

Yeh, obviously Evolve claim gains of 10hp, but it's really the sound that I'm after. If I get better sound and no negatives performance outcomes I'll be a happy boy.
 
I had a Gruppe M and removed it, going back to the standard air box. I have noticed absolutely no difference in power and I'm completely indifferent to the sound.

I do seem to be in a minority of one though.
 
tertius said:
I had a Gruppe M and removed it, going back to the standard air box. I have noticed absolutely no difference in power and I'm completely indifferent to the sound.

I do seem to be in a minority of one though.
Click to expand...

Ah OK, so between the GruppeM and OEM you've noticed nothing at all? No benefits from removing the GruppeM and no benefits when installing?

The sound of the Eventuri VAI carbon intakes is what I really want to hear first hand at the open day before I take the plunge.
 
StevenH72 said:
tertius said:
I had a Gruppe M and removed it, going back to the standard air box. I have noticed absolutely no difference in power and I'm completely indifferent to the sound.

I do seem to be in a minority of one though.
Click to expand...

Ah OK, so between the GruppeM and OEM you've noticed nothing at all? No benefits from removing the GruppeM and no benefits when installing?

The sound of the Eventuri VAI carbon intakes is what I really want to hear first hand at the open day before I take the plunge.
Click to expand...

It was already fitted when I bought the car, so I only have the "Gruppe M -> standard airbox" experience to compare.

But yes, no noticeable difference at all in performance, response, etc.. I haven't had it tested in any objective way so it is purely my personal impression - I do a fair few track days so it gets to stretch its legs.
 
tertius said:
I had a Gruppe M and removed it, going back to the standard air box. I have noticed absolutely no difference in power and I'm completely indifferent to the sound.

I do seem to be in a minority of one though.
Click to expand...

I was about to order that,thanks for sharing your experience.
 
tomas6791 said:
tertius said:
I had a Gruppe M and removed it, going back to the standard air box. I have noticed absolutely no difference in power and I'm completely indifferent to the sound.

I do seem to be in a minority of one though.
Click to expand...

I was about to order that,thanks for sharing your experience.
Click to expand...

Before you decide have a listen: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=71268

Never get that sound with a standard airbox, totally different and very addictive. Not everyone's cup of tea though obviously!
 
Adding 10 bhp to a 338 bhp is only adding about 3%, are you really going to notice the difference :idunno:

Mine going in for its Inspection 2 on the 19th March after which I will be fitting the GruppeM.
 
Happy to take you out in mine (with GruppeM). Initially I was a little underwhelmed (I thought it'd be like my old CSL...it's about 70%), but now I love it...it's perfect balance, just the right amount of induction noise when on it. I would 100% recommend it.

You do find yourself driving a little more aggressively though to hear it at work. Which to me is a good thing.
 
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