Gruppe-M Intake

[DCnative]

I am considering getting the Gruppe-M intake. Does anyone have experience with this intake? I know it is costly, but it seems to have the most effective heat shield of any cold air intake I have seen. Please post your experiences.

-Will

[The Letter M]

I have only seen a few pics of it, but it doesn't look like the heat shield is any better than say the Conforti in the pics I saw, in fact, it looks like it is less effective as a heat shield, just more flashy, expensive & I think the ITG filter is a better filter than than the K&N.

Carbon fiber or not, I think this one is no better than any other CAI, it just costs more.

Just my opinion.

[DCnative]

Here is a picture of it for those who have not seen it:

http://www.gruppemeurope.com/shipping_PO_2/bmw_e36_m3.jpg

I know their products for other cars are second to none, I would love to hear from someone who actually has it installed in their car.

-Will

[MJFX328]

I always liked the design. And I feel like it gets better airflow from around the headlight, you could also route the air tube coming from the kidneys into the intakes path.

I bought the replica form umnitza :)

[DCnative]

I always liked the design. And I feel like it gets better airflow from around the headlight, you could also route the air tube coming from the kidneys into the intakes path.

I bought the replica form umnitza :)

How is would you rate the replica?

[MBe36]

How is would you rate the replica?

I did not get the rep because they used some cheap filter for it. I went with the JC/ITG

[mpoweraz]

well, on the e46 m3 which my cousin has we dynoed the groupe m intake vs a ghetto autozone special, we gained 18hp with the groupe m vs like 8 with the autozone one. i still cannot beleive the difference the intake made its unheard of.

[seven11]

Here is a picture of it for those who have not seen it:

http://www.gruppemeurope.com/shipping_PO_2/bmw_e36_m3.jpg

I know their products for other cars are second to none, I would love to hear from someone who actually has it installed in their car.

-Will

looks like it will work best with out that headlight

[The Letter M]

well, on the e46 m3 which my cousin has we dynoed the groupe m intake vs a ghetto autozone special, we gained 18hp with the groupe m vs like 8 with the autozone one. i still cannot beleive the difference the intake made its unheard of.

I do not believe it either.

The main reason there is any increase in hp with a CAI is the bypassing of the restriction which is designed into the stock box, and once you remove that restriction, the hp increase will be about the same for any CAI with a decent design, especially on a dyno, where the air rusihing in, is only provided by a fan, if there even is one.

Some do a better job of isolating the air intake from the engine heat than others, like the Conforti and similar designs with a decent heat shield, which not only seals off the intake from engine heat, but creates a zone which becomes very slightly higher pressure from the increased air pressure at the front of the moving car. This ensures that no warmed air is backfeeding from the engine compartment into the intake itself & the faster the car goes, the more this is present.

To me, the Gruppe looks like more bling than anything else.

If you cite dyno gains, be prepared to post the back to back, same day dyno results in detail with pics of the "ghetto special", or expect no credibility.

[rmani]

I am considering getting the Gruppe-M intake. Does anyone have experience with this intake? I know it is costly, but it seems to have the most effective heat shield of any cold air intake I have seen. Please post your experiences.

-Will

I had the replica version that a vendor on here makes. It honestly looks and performs just as well for 1/3 the price.

[DCnative]

Thanks for all the replies. I am interested in the Gruppe-M because I know they make the intake for ASM for the Honda S2000, which is hands down the best intake for the car, so I am guessing their intake for the M3 is pretty darn good as well.

-Will

[JETninja]

My AA would kick its butt for keeping engine heat out. It's a Alum sheet box all around with 1/2" thick Heat resistant open cell hard foam like stuff on the outside of the sheets, and a top cover with a Rubber Seal all around to the Hood. On cold Winter Days when I pull into work after my 35 mile morning drive, and the entire car frosts over except the hood (from the engine heat) I get an approx 1' sq square of Frost directly over my AA Box....That is Heat Isolation!!!

Air comes in directly from the opening next to the Headlight.....

[MJFX328]

How is would you rate the replica?

The replica is fine for about 1/3 the price. Just change the filter with an Amsoil or similar and you have a great intake.

[TH3 Shifty]

so what vendor is selling it for 1/3 of the price of the original?

[MJFX328]

Umnitza used to... check around for it.. ebay maybe

[Xtacy12]

Would this intake work with depo gen 4 lights and is there any modifications to install it like cutting the horn out and moving it?

[Dr N]

To me, the Gruppe looks like more bling than anything else.


I'd have to agree with this! Ive got a Gruppe M on my S50 M Coupe. It was on when I bought the car so I have nothing to compare it to. The thing goes like stink, but I suspect that would be the case anyway!!:buttrock

I'd guess the air box gives me ~5-10bhp extra and sounds pretty good, but as you so rightly point out, I think the main reason for the existence of these things is so that people can be amazed by them in all their carbon fibre glory whenever you open the bonnet (sorry - hood :-)....

[Getconnectedav]

i have one. it fits very well. no air leaks. i would say it should isolate fairly well being a fibre base. excellent contruction quality of course. great finish. nice metal numbered plaque. light as hell! i am sure there are better out there with regard to heat isolation, but i am sure with regard to overall performance this would be on par with ecis and aa. you just need to decide what is important to you as the M3 owner.

bling?
fit and finish?
weight?
price?
exclusivity/uniqueness?
performance?

each has benefits, the gruppe does it all well except that high price and slightly sub par heat isolation.

[mpoweraz]

I do not believe it either.

The main reason there is any increase in hp with a CAI is the bypassing of the restriction which is designed into the stock box, and once you remove that restriction, the hp increase will be about the same for any CAI with a decent design, especially on a dyno, where the air rusihing in, is only provided by a fan, if there even is one.

Some do a better job of isolating the air intake from the engine heat than others, like the Conforti and similar designs with a decent heat shield, which not only seals off the intake from engine heat, but creates a zone which becomes very slightly higher pressure from the increased air pressure at the front of the moving car. This ensures that no warmed air is backfeeding from the engine compartment into the intake itself & the faster the car goes, the more this is present.

To me, the Gruppe looks like more bling than anything else.

If you cite dyno gains, be prepared to post the back to back, same day dyno results in detail with pics of the "ghetto special", or expect no credibility.

its the gruppe M (ram air set up)
http://www.autotalent.com/images/fri0116.s.JPG (http://www.autotalent.com/images/fri0116.s.JPG)

I will try to hunt down his dyno sheets and scan em in if you dont believe me, the "ghetto" intake was just the cone you buy at any autozone. in the ricer section.

[Eric98Sedan]

Seems to me that the Dinan design blows the rest out of the water. The air filter is actually placed down in the front bumper cover, completely out of the engine bay.

Both of my cars have this intake, thanks to both POs and I gotta tell ya, they both haul ass and sound great. Just a thought.

[Garrett M]

Intakes are such a waste of money...I wont ever buy one unless it's a great deal.