Gruppe M Air intake system
- Thread starter monkadill
- Start date
Liverpool
Wasn't suggesting it was good value or effective (otherwise I'd probably have one myself), just offering another purchasing option.chris said:For something that will only add sound, and probably reduce horses
For that price, i would rather get a 4.10 Ring and pinion!
I've had one installed a few years ago and cannot fault the hight quality of the kit or the intake noise, which in my case balances with the ACS backboxes. It certainly does not loses you bhp as some suggest. What it does do is refocus torque band and adds a few bhp (+6) at the top RPM. The downside is that it accentuates a torque dip athat is already present OEM at around 3500 RPM.
If you research all Gruppe M kits are thouroughly well researched and made and they are very spêcific and publish clearly what each kit's effects are. People tend to be put of by the price. For sure you won't feel +6 bhp on the road (unless you're right at the top RPM on track and there is more insistance getting there in the last 1500 RPM) but the noise is sweet. I've yet to come accross a kit that is good quality, does not suffer from heat or ingress.
If you research all Gruppe M kits are thouroughly well researched and made and they are very spêcific and publish clearly what each kit's effects are. People tend to be put of by the price. For sure you won't feel +6 bhp on the road (unless you're right at the top RPM on track and there is more insistance getting there in the last 1500 RPM) but the noise is sweet. I've yet to come accross a kit that is good quality, does not suffer from heat or ingress.
simonlpearce
Senior member
Reckon a £30 high flow panel filter would probably be equally as good.
simonlpearce
Senior member
Suppose you could always resort to the age old trick of drilling the airbox
I have recent experience of this having brought one from new a month ago.
Firstly, CA Automotive offer the best price, I met the guy who runs the business to pick mine up and to be fair he's a sound guy and very very knowledgable about the S54 engines and the E46 M3 in general, which obviously transfers to the Z4M. They have the best price and mine arrived from Japan in 2 weeks so pretty quick turn around as they are made to order. So I would Deffo recommend ordering from them if you decide to get one.
Secondly, yes there are debates on price vs performance and what you get out of it, which to be honest is just the awesome noise. You are paying for the noise, don't think you'll see a performance gain (or drop for that matter as you probably won't notice either). Personally, I think it's worth every penny, it sounds amazing, pretty close to the CSL airbox which is well over a thousand pounds. It makes it sound like a proper high performance engine. If you haven't already check out Andysixspeeds video on YouTube of it. My mantra was im only going to own this kind of car once before probably downgrading to a more average car so make the most of it while you have it.
You could wait for the Evolve intake, but it's an unknown quantity at the moment and I don't believe a price has been decided. If it's massively cheaper than a Gruppe M id be surprised to be honest.
If you do decide to get one, install it yourself, it's pretty easy although the instructions are in vague English. If you need a hand I'd be happy to help you through PM but sure youd be fine if you do get one
Firstly, CA Automotive offer the best price, I met the guy who runs the business to pick mine up and to be fair he's a sound guy and very very knowledgable about the S54 engines and the E46 M3 in general, which obviously transfers to the Z4M. They have the best price and mine arrived from Japan in 2 weeks so pretty quick turn around as they are made to order. So I would Deffo recommend ordering from them if you decide to get one.
Secondly, yes there are debates on price vs performance and what you get out of it, which to be honest is just the awesome noise. You are paying for the noise, don't think you'll see a performance gain (or drop for that matter as you probably won't notice either). Personally, I think it's worth every penny, it sounds amazing, pretty close to the CSL airbox which is well over a thousand pounds. It makes it sound like a proper high performance engine. If you haven't already check out Andysixspeeds video on YouTube of it. My mantra was im only going to own this kind of car once before probably downgrading to a more average car so make the most of it while you have it.
You could wait for the Evolve intake, but it's an unknown quantity at the moment and I don't believe a price has been decided. If it's massively cheaper than a Gruppe M id be surprised to be honest.
If you do decide to get one, install it yourself, it's pretty easy although the instructions are in vague English. If you need a hand I'd be happy to help you through PM but sure youd be fine if you do get one
AndyBeech said:I have recent experience of this having brought one from new a month ago.
Firstly, CA Automotive offer the best price, I met the guy who runs the business to pick mine up and to be fair he's a sound guy and very very knowledgable about the S54 engines and the E46 M3 in general, which obviously transfers to the Z4M. They have the best price and mine arrived from Japan in 2 weeks so pretty quick turn around as they are made to order. So I would Deffo recommend ordering from them if you decide to get one.
Secondly, yes there are debates on price vs performance and what you get out of it, which to be honest is just the awesome noise. You are paying for the noise, don't think you'll see a performance gain (or drop for that matter as you probably won't notice either). Personally, I think it's worth every penny, it sounds amazing, pretty close to the CSL airbox which is well over a thousand pounds. It makes it sound like a proper high performance engine. If you haven't already check out Andysixspeeds video on YouTube of it. My mantra was im only going to own this kind of car once before probably downgrading to a more average car so make the most of it while you have it.
You could wait for the Evolve intake, but it's an unknown quantity at the moment and I don't believe a price has been decided. If it's massively cheaper than a Gruppe M id be surprised to be honest.
Thanks - i am sold!
If you do decide to get one, install it yourself, it's pretty easy although the instructions are in vague English. If you need a hand I'd be happy to help you through PM but sure youd be fine if you do get one
A CSL box is more like £3.5k for a used one! Well a decent one. So £700 is actually considered cheap if it sounds similar 
Geoff Steel box is £1500 ish new, and sound brilliant, but still double that of the GruppeM. Anyone who does want the sound will be hard pushed to beat the proper GruppeM in terms of quality and price. Had a couple of kits on different cars, but for the Z4M im still not sure whats best :|
Geoff Steel box is £1500 ish new, and sound brilliant, but still double that of the GruppeM. Anyone who does want the sound will be hard pushed to beat the proper GruppeM in terms of quality and price. Had a couple of kits on different cars, but for the Z4M im still not sure whats best :|