WANTED S54 csl style carbon airbox

Wanted
Adamw

Adamw

Member
 West Sussex, East Grinstead
Hi all

Just recently picked up a lovely Z4M and looking to do the csl style carbon airbox mod as absolutely must have that amplified induction noise!! 😊

Looking at Geoff Steel or Karbonius units but before I commit to new wondered if anyone had a used great condition set-up they’re looking to part with.

Happy to hear of anyone selling any of the well known brand carbon airbox systems.

Thanks in advance

Adam 👍

PFI
 

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Good to see you found one. :thumbsup:

You may have to wait a while for a used one as people only tend to take them off when they sell their car.
 
R60BBA said:
@Adamw definitely go Karbonius over Geoff Steel.
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Why? Absolutely bugger all difference in performance gain, so all it is is a chunk more money for a slightly nicer finish if you're super picky? If the op is in it for the noise more than the bling, then a GSR box is ideal!
 
Ed Doe said:
Why? Absolutely bugger all difference in performance gain, so all it is is a chunk more money for a slightly nicer finish if you're super picky? If the op is in it for the noise more than the bling, then a GSR box is ideal!
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That’s kind of what I was wondering.
Differences between GS & Karbonius. 🤔

Adam
 
Ed Doe said:
Why? Absolutely bugger all difference in performance gain, so all it is is a chunk more money for a slightly nicer finish if you're super picky? If the op is in it for the noise more than the bling, then a GSR box is ideal!
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It’s not about bling. It’s about quality.

There have been ample cases of Geoff Steel boxes having issues. Google search is your best friend.

To my knowledge I am not aware of any Karbonius boxes developing issues. Not to say that it hasn’t happened, however it is indisputable that they are much better quality.

It’s the OP’s car so ultimately up to him, however you get what you pay for.
 
R60BBA said:
It’s not about bling. It’s about quality.

There have been ample cases of Geoff Steel boxes having issues. Google search is your best friend.

To my knowledge I am not aware of any Karbonius boxes developing issues. Not to say that it hasn’t happened, however it is indisputable that they are much better quality.

It’s the OP’s car so ultimately up to him, however you get what you pay for.
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Qualify 'issues' though... From my research the only issues have been perceived quality of finish, not fit or function.... As I say if you're the sort to lose sleep over the fact the carbon weave isn't the same orientation between the main body and the snorkel attachment, then yes paying the extra for a Karb is worth it. If you're after the noise there's absolutely nothing wrong with the gsr product; it's well used in various motorsport applications, and the latest design addresses a lot the finish too as I understand it.

I do agree you get what you pay for, but to universally state 'don't get anything other than karb' with no actual further explanation is not offering a balanced perspective for the op to make an informed decision against is it...
 
Get in touch with RDM Shop on Facebook and they can supply you a haimus box along with all the fitting kits and a custom snorkel specific for the Z4M than no other company has made.
 
Ed Doe said:
Qualify 'issues' though... From my research the only issues have been perceived quality of finish, not fit or function.... As I say if you're the sort to lose sleep over the fact the carbon weave isn't the same orientation between the main body and the snorkel attachment, then yes paying the extra for a Karb is worth it. If you're after the noise there's absolutely nothing wrong with the gsr product; it's well used in various motorsport applications, and the latest design addresses a lot the finish too as I understand it.

I do agree you get what you pay for, but to universally state 'don't get anything other than karb' with no actual further explanation is not offering a balanced perspective for the op to make an informed decision against is it...
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I think you have gotten the wrong end of the stick Ed. I also didn’t state what you said I stated…

To reiterate, the Karbonius is better quality than the Geoff Steel and as a result it is more expensive (which is fair in my view).

The Karbonius is also the closest replica carbon airbox to the original BMW CSL box.

In terms of issues, owners have reported that their Geoff Steel boxes are ‘fragile’ due to problems with the epoxy, as well as splitting and cracking (which has resulted in them being sent back for repair). Look no further than this thread.

Geoff Steel changed the design of their airbox a few years ago due to their first version not being up to par. Admitted by themselves

“In 2017 we changed the manufacturing process of our CSL airbox. This included new, CAD designed and CNC machined moulds which we then hand lay the carbon airboxes from. Before 2017 we manufactured a similar product but it was no where near the quality of the current model. Many people still refer to the “Version 1” which we sold many of, but they cannot be compared. The “new” Version 2 design is far superior including CNC machined, aluminium snorkel flanges, aluminium breather ports and carbon fibre intake trumpets.“

Read into that what you will.

Another thing to consider here is resale value. If looking at buying a Z4M/E46 M3, I personally would avoid a car with a Geoff Steel airbox because it indicates that the car has most likely been run on a budget. I am not the only one in this camp either…
 
You could be waiting years. They don't come up second hand because the amount of new parts / tune you need to get it working doesn't really make it worthwhile to take off and sell. Plus no one fits one and decides they don't like it ie. the noise!

Good luck but I'd be amazed if you get one. If you want to spread the cost of a new one, see if one of the vendors use PayPal so can use their interest free credit. Got mine from MS Motorsport and used PayPal to get 4 months interest free credit which made it easier to stomach ;)
 
Thanks @AndyBeech
I know unlikely but thought I’d chance my arm but think it’s inevitable I end up buying new.
Shouldn’t have driven my mates e46 m3 - what an awesome sound. Can’t stop thinking about it 🤣

What set-up did you go for and are you pleased?
👍🏻
 
Adamw said:
Thanks @AndyBeech
I know unlikely but thought I’d chance my arm but think it’s inevitable I end up buying new.
Shouldn’t have driven my mates e46 m3 - what an awesome sound. Can’t stop thinking about it 🤣

What set-up did you go for and are you pleased?
👍🏻
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To answer this and the question from the other thread, if you've experienced a CSL style box then a Gruppe might leave you disappointed tbh.
I went for a Karb race box and although it's a heavy initial cost all in, it's probably one of the best mods I've done. No other car sounds like it, it's pretty epic.

The Gruppe is fine and a decent upgrade from standard, maybe 70% of the CSL, but it's nowhere near as loud and doesn't have the depth of the CSL. The CSL transforms a road car sound into a full on race car noise. You can hear a CSL from a long way off at full chat, a Gruppe much less so. The CSL screams while the Gruppe is far more muted.

Chucked a quick audio video together, not the greatest comparison but don't have time today to do any more but might help! This is on my car, same mic, same GoPro. Mic is in the same position in the engine bay for both which makes the noise obviously exaggerated but gives you an idea. Raw audio, volume levels and everything else is the same as recorded at the time.



Driveby of CSL, phone camera + wind so audio not great:

 
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That’s most helpful thanks very much @AndyBeech

The Gruppe is actually quite good until you compare to the full fat csl (style).
Also think now I’ve heard that (e46 m3) nothing is will compare.

Now just need to decide which csl box to go for and what supplier.
I like the sound of spreading the cost.
I can buy outright but it seems such allot to weigh out just for more noise 🤣
Splitting up somehow softens this 😀👍🏻

I’ll check out MS motorsport as mentioned!
 
Adamw said:
That’s most helpful thanks very much @AndyBeech

The Gruppe is actually quite good until you compare to the full fat csl (style).
Also think now I’ve heard that (e46 m3) nothing is will compare.

Now just need to decide which csl box to go for and what supplier.
I like the sound of spreading the cost.
I can buy outright but it seems such allot to weigh out just for more noise 🤣
Splitting up somehow softens this 😀👍🏻

I’ll check out MS motorsport as mentioned!
Click to expand...

No probs. Exactly that in that once you've heard the CSL style boxes, everything else seems a bit...weak in comparison. Any other intakes still use the standard moulded plenum which is what makes the difference sound wise.

I had the Gruppe for about 8 years and was quite happy with the sound and it's plug and play ability, no messing, fit it in 20 minutes or so.

Trouble with the CSL is the box itself is only, maybe half the cost, roughly. The extra parts you need from BMW and a tune is about the cost of the box again on top plus fitting if you don't do it yourself but it's pretty easy, so yes, it's not a cheap mod. Plus the data logging to get the tune correct for your car but that depends on what tuner you use.

Having said all that, I'd still do it again, 100%. If you go for a Karb box, MS Motorsport are excellent and splitting the cost over a few months might not be necessary but for me it helped justify the man maths, somehow :ROFLMAO: They also do a Z4M specific box now as well rather than the standard race box which you have to cut slightly for it to fit properly. You don't have to buy the CSL oil dipstick either, depends how 'complete' you want it to be.

Once it's in, setup and paid for, it doesn't need messing with again, just a filter change now and again but I'd rather that than re-oiling a K&N filter which is a pain in the arse to be honest.
 
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Adamw said:
Is yrs this : https://www.msmotorsport.uk/products/karbonius-race-airbox-e46-m3?variant=52048259088712

Or this :
www.msmotorsport.uk

Karbonius Race Airbox E46 M3 Version 3 with Smaller Inlet

Karbonius Race Airbox E46 M3 BMW M3 E46 RACE AIRBOX – E46AD03 Intake system made 100% in prepreg carbon fibre in autoclave in our facilities in Spain under ISO 9001 Management Quality System rules by qualified staff , which lends the best finished
www.msmotorsport.uk www.msmotorsport.uk

👍🏻
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First one, but I'd ask if they can get hold of the Z4M version as it matches up to our air intake at the front without modding. They are partners with Karb so if it's in stock they can get it.

https://karbonius.net/es/producto/bmw-m3-e46-csl-airbox-race/
 
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