AFE vs. Shark Intakes

[BimmerBum]

As some may have read I had a heck of a time with the AFE intake on the swapped 330ti project. Basically, the air box did not fit and the intake tube was too small where it met the hfm. AFE is reportedly working on these issues at the request of Bimmerworld. AFE could not have been less helpful or cared less when I called and told them the issues.

Anyway... I got a Shark intake to replace it. Many thanks to Brian at Bimmerworld. I thought I would compare the 2 intakes assuming they both fit perfect (the 330ti is coming apart so I have not installed the Shark intake).

AFE vs. Shark

1) The air box on the AFE is solid metal and does not incorperate the factory air inlets. The Shark box is composite, which will not heat up like metal, much lighter than the AFE box, and DOES incorperate the factory air inlets.

2) The AFE intake tube is big and plastic. The Shark intake tube is much nicer looking carbon fiber.

3) The intake tube on the AFE is bolted to the air box. This means there is no play and only one possible position for the air filter. On the Shark the intake tube just rests in the air box. This might not seem like a big deal but if you have the euro headlights you can combine the Shark box with the silicone throttle body boot and give your headlights as much room as possible.

4) Another odd thing about the AFE is the fact that the hard plastic intake tube slides over the hard plastic hfm and is clamped down with a hose clamp. I am not a fan of hose clamping 2 hard plastic things together.

5) One thing I did like about the AFE was the side of the intake tube where the filter clamped on... it must have been 4.5 inches or so. I like the idea of cramming as much air in as possible.

So there ya go... I wish this post was up for me to read a few months back!