The E90 (M3 Sedan), E92 (M3 Coupe), and E93 (M3 Convertible) are all known as the E9X platform. In this particular DIY, we use our 2012 E92 BMW M3 Coupe and install a aFe Stage 2 Intake kit on it. The intake install is pretty straight forward and with the aFe Stage 2 intake, it reuses your factory air box, so you don’t need to remove that. You’ll find a lot of people on the M3 forums saying that an intake is a waste of money. The reason they say that is because the factory closed air box system is actually very good. However, on this aFe Stage 2 intake, we were able to see gains of 8 whp. In addition to more power, the car has better sound and better throttle response.
Our install below is the aFe Power MagnumFORCE Stage-2 Pro DRY S Intake Systems; BMW M3 (E9X) 08-13 V8-4.0L part number 51-31662 (Pro Dry S air filter). Here’s aFe’s description on the intake: “This Stage 2 air intake system produces 12 max horsepower, 9 lbs. x ft. torque and out-flowed the factory intake by 41%. This unique intake system is designed to use the factory intake box to seal the intake tube and filter and tube against unwanted underhood temperatures while increasing air flow and velocity for optimum performance. This air intake system features a washable/reusable conical Pro Dry S air filter for maximum convenience and filter life, a dyno tuned intake tube and all the hardware necessary for an easy installation. This system is truly a silent killer.”
For pricing or to purchase this intake, click here: aFe Power MagnumFORCE Stage 2 BMW M3 Intake with Pro Dry S air filter
and now… on to the install!
To get started, you need to get a Torx 20 screw driver and a flat head screw driver. These are the only tools you’ll need.
When loosening your Torx 20 screws, we don’t recommend completely removing them. Loose them enough so they are out of the base of the air box, but you don’t need to completely take them out. This will prevent you from losing them.
Once you loosen all 8 Torx 20 bolts, you can lift up on the top of the air box and expose the air filter. You can see when we removed the lid, there were leaves in here and the air filter was a bit dirty.
When we removed the factory air filter, we saw there was a lot of sand and dirt in the air box, so we used our shop vac to clean it out. This would be a good time to ensure your air box is nice and clean before you put the new air filter in there.
Here you can see the factory air intake elbow vs the aFe Stage 2 intake elbow. The aFe elbow is much smoother and direct.
Here is a comparison of the really big factory air filter vs the smaller and better shaped aFe Stage 2 air filter.
Above you can see the aFe coupling installed on the factory inlet. We put the coupling on here first, but after playing with it a bit, it was easier to put the coupling on the intake elbow first, and then put both the elbow and coupling on the inlet at the same time.
This inlet above is easy to connect, just plug and play!
Here’s a shot of the intake and elbow installed. Pretty easy and straight forward.
Finished product.
The install was easy and straight forward. This install was obviously for the aFe intake, but others such as the Macht Schnell and other popular intakes will be very similar. If you guys have any questions on this DIY/How-To, please leave your questions below!
Enjoy!
Can this AFE intake fit on 2009 right hand drive e90 m3?