DIY + Review + Pictures/Videos

Mosely · 11-12-2020, 05:14 PM

I try to contribute anytime I install something new since there don't seem to be too many DIYs on here. See my KW V3 install DIY too!

Time: 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $1300 (MSRP)

Tools Needed:
- 13mm socket + wrench
- T15 Torx
- Flat head screw driver
- Allen wrenches (forget the exact size, I used a multi-tool, it's in metric)
- 10mm socket
- The intake! Comes very well packaged with a decent set of color instructions, although I did deviate somewhat (see below).

Remove OEM intake:
1. Remove driver side corner brace (13mm x 4) and set aside
2. Unhook breather tube (I think only on MT?) - just squeeze the plug and pull straight off
3. Unhook harness to MAF sensor (push tab down and gently pull outward)
4. Loosen passenger side clamp (using flathead) that holds factory intake and break it loose.
5. Pull entire intake system upwards (it is held by rubber push grommets, should pop loose)

Install Armaspeed intake:
1. Mount the lower half of the box first - it has two posts that lock into the rubber grommets (one back side and one to the drive side) and the forward opening that latches.
2. I deviated from the directions here and started the top box covering. This screw is very hard to get in if you do it in the order listed in the Armaspeed instructions. So I got it started threading and pivoted it out of the way to the side.
3. Install filter on end of intake pipe - tighten with flathead - make sure flat head points upward. (easier to change going forward)
4. Install intake + filter - I tilted the filter in first, then wiggle the end into the rubber mount on the passenger side. Don't tighten anything all the way yet.
5. Install the forward brace - again, don't tighten all the way yet.
6. Make sure everything is lined up and not rubbing anywhere - then tighten the clamp on the rubber to the intake. Tighten the front Arma bracket. Swing the top housing overtop and tighten the 6 nuts - for the tough one next to the MAF, a small allen key works best.

8. Install the MAF + bracket together (2 allen screws) - IMPORTANT: the direction of the MAF is important. The diode looking part should face the rear of the engine.
9. Attach the breather tube
10. Tighten everything down and reinstall the corner brace (21 ft lbs I think)

Install the air dam (?) (optional?)
1. Remove drive front grill - if you'd done this before, you know it's a pain but can be done in <10 minutes without removing or loosening bumper as long as you don't have super short or fat fingers

2. Install air dam piece - uses 2 allen head bolts + 10mm nut.
3. Re-install front grill by clicking it into place.

Impressions:
Appearance: The CF on this thing is gorgeous. Craftsmanship is fantastic. Sturdy feel, lightweight.

Fit: 9/10 on fit. Everything lines up very well. My only gripe is the difficulty getting the screw in next to the MAF sensor as noted above. Also, if you need to change the filter you'll have to take those all out again which is bit of a pain. I think the tag on the bag for the filter says it needs replaced at ~5000 miles (or km, I can't remember - but pretty often if you do a lot of miles). Not sure what the replacement costs but you can buy direct from Armaspeed apparently.

Sound: IMO it is the perfect sound. You can definitely hear the turbo better but it's not over the top like some of the open air intakes. There is also zero bottle blowing sound like some people mention with the Eventuri (EDIT: After a few months, admittedly I haven't driven much, I do hear a slight bottle blowing noise when in comfort mode 1-2nd gear. Very subtle). I have a downpipe + MPE, I'm sure turbo sound would be even more pronounced on a milder exhaust set-up.

Overall, I think it checks almost every box for the ideal intake. Price is high but less than the comparable CF systems (Eventuri/Gruppe M). You don't get as much bottle noise as the Eventuri (not sure if this was fixed with the V2?). It's also a dry filter which was important to me to avoid any MAF issues (although hotly debated). Hope this helps any of you comparing intakes in the future!

Here's a quick video I put together after the install!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHgHQj-JD2e/

mike@x-ph.com · 11-13-2020, 07:38 AM

Thank you for your review, beautiful intake

AndrewC1989 · 11-13-2020, 09:38 AM

Saw this on your instagram, looks dope!

Any chance we can get some sound clips?

dtmurf · 11-13-2020, 06:46 PM

Looks great, I too would like to hear how it sounds.

Mosely · 11-14-2020, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

Saw this on your instagram, looks dope!

Any chance we can get some sound clips?

Quote:

Originally Posted by dtmurf

Looks great, I too would like to hear how it sounds.

Getting video equipment set up, should have sounds clips soon!

atlas · 11-14-2020, 09:51 PM

Looks great!

weimx · 11-23-2020, 12:07 AM

Looks great, have been considering one myself!

3t3p · 11-23-2020, 05:55 AM

Does it really need the reinforcement brace thing at the front?

nioh_lbbm2 · 11-23-2020, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3t3p

Does it really need the reinforcement brace thing at the front?

OEM intake has that anchor point as well. Why not include it?

widetyres · 12-12-2020, 02:25 AM

Cheers for the review. Great video!

Looking forward to the sound clips.

In the meantime, please can you share an idea of how much louder the induction noise is compared to stock? I really love the sound of induction! Tbh, Turbo noises I'm less bothered about, so I've been interested in one these for a while due to the closed design.

3t3p · 12-13-2020, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nioh_lbbm2

OEM intake has that anchor point as well. Why not include it?

Fair point. Looks very nice but stock flows best/is safest no?

11-12-2020, 05:14 PM	#1
Mosely Lieutenant 594 Rep 450 Posts Drives: '18 M2 \| '20 X5 \| '07 E92 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: SoCal iTrader: (1)	DIY + Review + Pictures/Videos - Armaspeed CF Intake for OG M2 (N55) I try to contribute anytime I install something new since there don't seem to be too many DIYs on here. See my KW V3 install DIY too! Time: 1.5 hours Difficulty: Easy Cost: $1300 (MSRP) Tools Needed: - 13mm socket + wrench - T15 Torx - Flat head screw driver - Allen wrenches (forget the exact size, I used a multi-tool, it's in metric) - 10mm socket - The intake! Comes very well packaged with a decent set of color instructions, although I did deviate somewhat (see below). Remove OEM intake: 1. Remove driver side corner brace (13mm x 4) and set aside 2. Unhook breather tube (I think only on MT?) - just squeeze the plug and pull straight off 3. Unhook harness to MAF sensor (push tab down and gently pull outward) 4. Loosen passenger side clamp (using flathead) that holds factory intake and break it loose. 5. Pull entire intake system upwards (it is held by rubber push grommets, should pop loose) Install Armaspeed intake: 1. Mount the lower half of the box first - it has two posts that lock into the rubber grommets (one back side and one to the drive side) and the forward opening that latches. 2. I deviated from the directions here and started the top box covering. This screw is very hard to get in if you do it in the order listed in the Armaspeed instructions. So I got it started threading and pivoted it out of the way to the side. 3. Install filter on end of intake pipe - tighten with flathead - make sure flat head points upward. (easier to change going forward) 4. Install intake + filter - I tilted the filter in first, then wiggle the end into the rubber mount on the passenger side. Don't tighten anything all the way yet. 5. Install the forward brace - again, don't tighten all the way yet. 6. Make sure everything is lined up and not rubbing anywhere - then tighten the clamp on the rubber to the intake. Tighten the front Arma bracket. Swing the top housing overtop and tighten the 6 nuts - for the tough one next to the MAF, a small allen key works best. 8. Install the MAF + bracket together (2 allen screws) - IMPORTANT: the direction of the MAF is important. The diode looking part should face the rear of the engine. 9. Attach the breather tube 10. Tighten everything down and reinstall the corner brace (21 ft lbs I think) Install the air dam (?) (optional?) 1. Remove drive front grill - if you'd done this before, you know it's a pain but can be done in <10 minutes without removing or loosening bumper as long as you don't have super short or fat fingers 2. Install air dam piece - uses 2 allen head bolts + 10mm nut. 3. Re-install front grill by clicking it into place. Impressions: Appearance: The CF on this thing is gorgeous. Craftsmanship is fantastic. Sturdy feel, lightweight. Fit: 9/10 on fit. Everything lines up very well. My only gripe is the difficulty getting the screw in next to the MAF sensor as noted above. Also, if you need to change the filter you'll have to take those all out again which is bit of a pain. I think the tag on the bag for the filter says it needs replaced at ~5000 miles (or km, I can't remember - but pretty often if you do a lot of miles). Not sure what the replacement costs but you can buy direct from Armaspeed apparently. Sound: IMO it is the perfect sound. You can definitely hear the turbo better but it's not over the top like some of the open air intakes. There is also zero bottle blowing sound like some people mention with the Eventuri (EDIT: After a few months, admittedly I haven't driven much, I do hear a slight bottle blowing noise when in comfort mode 1-2nd gear. Very subtle). I have a downpipe + MPE, I'm sure turbo sound would be even more pronounced on a milder exhaust set-up. Overall, I think it checks almost every box for the ideal intake. Price is high but less than the comparable CF systems (Eventuri/Gruppe M). You don't get as much bottle noise as the Eventuri (not sure if this was fixed with the V2?). It's also a dry filter which was important to me to avoid any MAF issues (although hotly debated). Hope this helps any of you comparing intakes in the future! Here's a quick video I put together after the install! https://www.instagram.com/p/CHgHQj-JD2e/ __________________ IG Photo Gallery: instagram.com/dr_m2sko/ Last edited by Mosely; 01-15-2021 at 08:33 PM..
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11-13-2020, 07:38 AM	#2
mike@x-ph.com BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 24168 Rep 190,730 Posts Drives: 07-335/12-328/18-M4/21-M4CP Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (23)	Thank you for your review, beautiful intake __________________ Check out our current sale by clicking on this link! https://x-ph.com/sale/ Phone number 702-494-9435
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11-13-2020, 09:38 AM	#3
AndrewC1989 Brigadier General 10931 Rep 4,551 Posts Drives: 2015 328d xDrive Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: NoVA iTrader: (5) Garage List 2015 328d xDrive [8.90]	Saw this on your instagram, looks dope! Any chance we can get some sound clips?
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11-13-2020, 06:46 PM	#4
dtmurf Captain 480 Rep 757 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: PNW iTrader: (0) Garage List 1996 BMW 318is [4.75] 2012 Audi Q5 [4.50] 2017 BMW M2 [10.00]	Looks great, I too would like to hear how it sounds. __________________ '17 M2 DCT Long Beach Blue Last edited by dtmurf; 11-14-2020 at 03:05 AM..
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11-14-2020, 09:51 PM	#6
atlas Lieutenant 383 Rep 583 Posts Drives: F10 535i, M2 LCI, G05 X5 40i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Looks great!
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11-23-2020, 12:07 AM	#7
weimx Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: '16 M2 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Singapore iTrader: (0)	Looks great, have been considering one myself!
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11-23-2020, 05:55 AM	#8
3t3p Major 455 Rep 1,389 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: May 2018 Location: NZ iTrader: (0)	Does it really need the reinforcement brace thing at the front?
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12-12-2020, 02:25 AM	#10
widetyres Lieutenant 279 Rep 488 Posts Drives: M3 E92 DCT, 2012 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Cheers for the review. Great video! Looking forward to the sound clips. In the meantime, please can you share an idea of how much louder the induction noise is compared to stock? I really love the sound of induction! Tbh, Turbo noises I'm less bothered about, so I've been interested in one these for a while due to the closed design.
	Appreciate 0 Quote