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      04-25-2012, 02:44 PM   #1
UNDRPSR
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Thumbs up X6 50i airbox mod

I've had my X6 for about 6 mos now and like everyone else was completely annoyed at the way the air box was designed. I also just sold my E60 M5, and one of the first mods on that car was to remove the charcoal filter that is in addition to the regular filter. So, I asked around to see if anyone knew that this may be the same situation in our 50i's. Well, as you can imagine no one had a clue, and I've never seen one post about it on any forum. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to see just how this thing is screwed together.

In short, what a PITA to get to the actual air filters which are integrated into 2 huge plastic airboxes. The good news, there are additional charcoal filters that you can remove to provide some additional airflow. Its been 3 months or so since I did this mod and have had no adverse effects or CEL's. I think it spools up a little quicker and i can get close to 15 mpg if I pay attention.

I now realize the delay in any vendor trying to produce a K&N type filter, its going to be way more involved then just simple drop ins like the X6M's. But you can get a little something if you're feeling adventurous !!

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      04-25-2012, 07:31 PM   #2
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Yeah BMW really worked hard to limit air flow on this engine. Supposedly Dinan is working on an airbox mod. I'd like to see more options out there...improving airflow on this engine would yield big results.

What tools are needed to get the airbox open? I'd like to take out the charcoal filters but the airbox doesn't have standard screws.
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      02-08-2013, 02:53 PM   #3
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Guys, you can buy the K N filter on their website now
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      03-24-2013, 08:12 PM   #4
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Quote:
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Guys, you can buy the K N filter on their website now
Nope, still nothing.
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      06-10-2013, 11:29 PM   #5
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I took my charcoal filters out. It was a lengthy process but it was nice to learn how to get to the filters, if k and n ever release something. Rumor a while back was that Dinan was close to releasing a cai I wonder what happend to that......
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      06-11-2013, 09:23 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by X6Vancouver View Post
I took my charcoal filters out. It was a lengthy process but it was nice to learn how to get to the filters, if k and n ever release something. Rumor a while back was that Dinan was close to releasing a cai I wonder what happend to that......
I was searching around for a cold air intake for X6 for awhile, but had no luck.
It seems like X6 has so little after market parts compared to other cars like 3 series..
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      10-03-2013, 09:26 PM   #7
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by X6Vancouver View Post
I took my charcoal filters out. It was a lengthy process but it was nice to learn how to get to the filters, if k and n ever release something. Rumor a while back was that Dinan was close to releasing a cai I wonder what happend to that......
I was searching around for a cold air intake for X6 for awhile, but had no luck.
It seems like X6 has so little after market parts compared to other cars like 3 series..
+1 i was told from dinan last week very soon
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      10-18-2014, 12:18 PM   #8
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Reviving this thread because I recently purchased a 2012 X5 50i and I've been looking everywhere for an intake. I see 2 years after the "coming soon" statement from Dinan, there is still no intake available. So, for those who have taken out their charcoal filters, do you think there is any HP gain?
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      12-16-2014, 12:05 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3X3=5 View Post
Reviving this thread because I recently purchased a 2012 X5 50i and I've been looking everywhere for an intake. I see 2 years after the "coming soon" statement from Dinan, there is still no intake available. So, for those who have taken out their charcoal filters, do you think there is any HP gain?
What you need to do is retrofit the airbox and plumbing from the X5M (S63) to the 50i. The air comes right through the grill and into the turbos. On the 50i it tales a three mile trip around the engine bay.

I'm convinced that is where a lot of the S63's extra power comes from.
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      12-16-2014, 10:01 PM   #10
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I agree, it's easy to imagine what gains could be had just from a better airflow path in the form of the X5M airbox. But it doesn't sound like anyone has done this so I assume it's not a direct fit for our cars. Has anyone been able to confirm that?

And no one has been brave enough to try just bolting on some piping drilled to house MAF sensors with some K&Ns on the end.
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      12-18-2014, 08:26 AM   #11
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The problem is that the sensors (MAF and TMAP???) are in different places. There are 4 in total.

The arrangement on the M5 is different as well. That may be something to consider. It looks more likely to work.

Here is M5 S63



And here is X5 N63

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      07-10-2015, 11:33 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveMD View Post
The problem is that the sensors (MAF and TMAP???) are in different places. There are 4 in total.

The arrangement on the M5 is different as well. That may be something to consider. It looks more likely to work.

Here is M5 S63



And here is X5 N63

Any update on this CAI from Dinan?
It's been more than 3 years since the original post...
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      04-29-2016, 06:37 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hellomyBMW View Post
Any update on this CAI from Dinan?
It's been more than 3 years since the original post...
i can make one if anyone in NJ want to come for few hours for me to do measurements. I also make drop in high flow filters for N63/N63tu

https://n63intake.com/product/n63-an...it-air-scoops/
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      07-27-2016, 12:28 AM   #14
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2013 x5 E70 LCI 50i

I talked to K&N yesterday. They could not explain why there was no 2013 x5 50i filter available. Why do we need the charcoal filters if we have a filter in there already. I removed them on my 2006 330xi. I could tell the difference. Does anyone make one? A parts guy at the local bmw dealer told me that the oil from the filter will mess up the mass air flow sensor. I have had k&n filters in all the bmw 's i have owned, no issues. i guess they want me to buy their filters.

Last edited by deadpool; 07-27-2016 at 12:34 AM..
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      03-11-2017, 02:17 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by badblack550xi View Post
i can make one if anyone in NJ want to come for few hours for me to do measurements. I also make drop in high flow filters for N63/N63tu

https://n63intake.com/product/n63-an...it-air-scoops/
I'm not far from Jersey, lets do it Think you could knock it out in less then a day?
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      03-11-2017, 02:19 PM   #16
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p.s. thread revival. There is a guy in Alaska that pieced together a custom joint and will sell to people over in the x5 side of things.
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      04-27-2017, 10:55 PM   #17
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Air Intake restriction solution for the X5 50i

Way better throttle response and between 8 to 20 HP depend if you
running stock or Ecu Flash
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      05-15-2017, 12:08 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeyBimX5din View Post
I'm not far from Jersey, lets do it Think you could knock it out in less then a day?
yeah in one day should be no problem to get all the measurements etc.
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      05-16-2017, 09:47 AM   #19
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PM sent
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      12-09-2017, 09:22 PM   #20
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jjjj
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      01-11-2019, 06:55 PM   #21
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Just posting this for those with the E71 35i, I have a 2011 BMW X6.

I recently purchased the BMS intake for the n55 engine in my car, and it drove great for a few days...lots of swoosh sounds and all that.

A few days later, I replaced all my spark plugs with new ones (preventative maintenance since I have 60k miles) and the car started misfiring the next day...thought it was a defective spark plug so I had my indy mechanic replace it.
The next day, I was experiencing more misfires. Changed the ignition coils but still it was misfiring. It misfired under medium throttle on the highway, around 2k rpm.

Finally, we realized that the engine was destroying the new spark plugs (OEM BOSCH). So we ordered the BMW Bosch plugs from the dealer, and I put the stock air filter back on...car runs back to normal.

I think my problem was too much air, not enough fuel. I am running the stock ECU as well. Just wanted to put this out there incase it helps anyone out as I could not find anything related to this issue.
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