[abirmaher]

Hi Everyone,

A few months back while waiting for my X1 M35i, I was planning ahead at some future modifications and a cold air intake was on my list. An intake is a typically easy mod that give you a bit more of the turbo noises without much down side. I know some have discussed whether this is really an upgrade since in theory the engine will be sucking in warmer air, but that’s a discussion for another day.

There had been some speculation as to whether the intakes already listed on the Burger Motorsport website would work on these cars, but after looking around at the options, I found an option for a transverse mounted BMW B48 engine (F39 X2 M35i, F44 M235i, F40 M135i) which looked to me as close as anything to the layout and setup of the engine in the photos we had seen fir the X1 M35i, so I pulled the trigger.

https://burgertuning.com/collections...s-f40-1-series

Fast forward 3+ months with production and shipping delays, I read that another member here had asked Burger and they confirmed that these intakes would not fit due to the MAF sensor being different, but it was too late. It had been well over 30 days since my order and Burger would not return the item. So I figured I would hold onto it and see if it would fit.

So today I finally unscrewed the sensor and to my surprise, it fit perfectly into the part from BMS. So I went ahead with install and everything went pretty smoothly. I put together a little DIY video (with before and after sound clips) for those interested (sorry for the terrible camera work, turns out it’s not easy to hold a phone and film while doing things that require both hands). But I will also list out steps with some pictures below for those who prefer reading to videos.

Initial impressions are that it is not too loud but you do undeniably hear more turbo noises. Again, I expect minimal if any performance gains but it does add some more fun to the experience of driving it, which is exactly what I was looking for. Additionally, no check engine light or issues so far. The car seems to get moving a little quicker as well (or it would if not for our lovely DCT transmissions…).

**NOTE: Officially Burger does not say that this product is for our cars, so please understand that anything you follow from this guide/ video is at your own risk. I can only relay my own personal experience.**



DIY VIDEO WITH BEFORE AND AFTER SOUND CLIP:

DIY Instructions:

1. Remove the 2 screws holding on the MAF sensor to the original air box cover, store these somewhere safe. (Best thing to do is to put them back in the air box cover once that comes off, these will not be reused with the new intake).



2. Confirm that the sensor fits into your Burger Motorsports MAF hole.



3. Once confirmed, pop off the silicone type cable holder on the air box by pushing over the little lip that keeps it on and pulling straight up.



4. Pop over the 4 clips holding the lid of the air box on, these can be pried over with your fingers but the one on the back right may be easier to get with a pry tool.




5. Unscrew the flat head screw holding on the vband clamp until it is loose.



6. Pop up the lid of the air box and wiggle it and rock it gently until you are able to pop it off from the inlet pipe. Remove the filter sitting in the air box as well.



7. Pop the silicone cable holder back on where it was originally.



8. Screw the bracket pieces together and screw the correct side onto the billet aluminum intake neck. Then, set the billet aluminum piece in place, adjusting it to where you can be sure that the MAF sensor reaches and that the air filter will sit well, in the inlet pipe and tighten the vband.



9. Zip tie the mounting bracket to the silicone cable holder we looked at earlier. There is a smaller shallow hole that you can string the zip tie through for this.




10. Put the filter itself onto the aluminum piece and fit it up to where it is snug to the edge. Then use the vband clamp to tighten it with a flathead. Pay attention to the plastic corner just behind this which you may damage or scratch with the screw from the vband or the teeth that are used to secure it.

[richiro]

very nice write up! thank you for that!

I am sold and will likely retrofit it as you have before they add on $50 for the specific bracket mount.

[SpaceSilver.X1]

will that cause the engine to suck in more warm air than the stock air filter box, especially during the summer months?

thanks!

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by SpaceSilver.X1

will that cause the engine to suck in more warm air than the stock air filter box, especially during the summer months?

thanks!

It's been discussed at length over the years. I would assume yes to some extent, but at least on these cars there is some ducting bringing cool air into the bottom of the airbox which should help.

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by richiro

very nice write up! thank you for that!

I am sold and will likely retrofit it as you have before they add on $50 for the specific bracket mount.

Thanks, hoped it would be helpful to some. What's funny is on their install guide, they literally also say to zip tie it for the cars it's actually made for ... so I don't see them giving us a better solution unless they change up the bracket all together.

[richiro]

how is throttle response now, do you still have that lag?

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by richiro

how is throttle response now, do you still have that lag?

It seems a little snappier to me, but unfortunately, the lag issue that we have is the transmission and that’s very much still there. It does seem to want to jump off the line a little bit more quickly, but that only highlights the transmission troubles when getting moving.

I haven’t done too many miles since installing so I’m sure I’ll have a little bit better opinion in a couple days.

[richiro]

Do you have iconic sound on in the videos? Mind taking one of sound with it off?

Also reving from outside the vehicle?

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by richiro

Do you have iconic sound on in the videos? Mind taking one of sound with it off?

Also reving from outside the vehicle?

It’s off in the video.

It’s really minor, I doubt you’d hear much reving from outside other than with the hood open like I have. I can get one but it will just be the after since I didn’t get one before.

[DgonzX135]

Nice! Thanks for this. I’ve been on the hunt for an intake and tune for my wife’s X1 M35. Honestly I’m all for the intake but I believe to really benefit from the ability of more intake volume you’d need a tune to get the car to recognize and capitalize on it no? Just curious… I’m just spit balling ideas because I assume a stock tune would “make” the motor use air/fuel at a certain ratio and have some sort of way to keep that within those parameters?

Edit, just saw you’re in Ft Laudy, would be cool to see your setup in person some time if that’s cool too ����

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by DgonzX135

Nice! Thanks for this. I’ve been on the hunt for an intake and tune for my wife’s X1 M35. Honestly I’m all for the intake but I believe to really benefit from the ability of more intake volume you’d need a tune to get the car to recognize and capitalize on it no? Just curious… I’m just spit balling ideas because I assume a stock tune would “make” the motor use air/fuel at a certain ratio and have some sort of way to keep that within those parameters?

Edit, just saw you’re in Ft Laudy, would be cool to see your setup in person some time if that’s cool too 👍🏼

You get a little more sound at minimum. As far as actual performance gains, I do assume you’d need some sort of tune to really benefit and even then I assume it wouldn’t be a big improvement.

All that said, a tune may be a ways off still. These ECUs are still not unlockable as I know it and these cars are so well connected that a tune would likely immediately send up red flags at BMW. RIP warranty. This used to only be an issue when the car went in to service and was connected to the computers, but with the connectivity here it may be able to report back directly.

That said, something like a JB4 which tricks the car into making more power may be possible. But to be honest the car makes good power as is. I am not wanting for more, not yet at least.

And sure, I’m around. Send me a DM.

[DgonzX135]

Yea that’s what I was thinking as well, a JB4. Going to have to wait and see what they come up with for these cars. And agreed, these cars are fun as is to drive, jealous my wife gets to daily it lol

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by DgonzX135

Yea that’s what I was thinking as well, a JB4. Going to have to wait and see what they come up with for these cars. And agreed, these cars are fun as is to drive, jealous my wife gets to daily it lol

Yep!

I just don’t like a JB4. Never really the best way to approach tuning, but if you need to tune and have the DME locked down something like that is the only choice.

My daily as well, I have an M2 that’s my track toy making the big power and the loud noises, so I’m less motivated to do too much on the sensible daily.

[abirmaher]

Burger has officially updated their site to include support for the X1 M35i confirming it was the correct product for this model... thought they have the wrong chassis code.

[richiro]

I noticed this too, but wasn't sure if it was because they actually tested it, or because I wrote to them about your youtube install video and asked whether or not this would be the best route to go for this install, i never heard back but i guess it works for them.

I ordered mine with a red filter, hopefully it doesn't throw any faults but we'll see, at this point I can always swap back before I bring it into dealer.

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by richiro

I noticed this too, but wasn't sure if it was because they actually tested it, or because I wrote to them about your youtube install video and asked whether or not this would be the best route to go for this install, i never heard back but i guess it works for them.

I ordered mine with a red filter, hopefully it doesn't throw any faults but we'll see, at this point I can always swap back before I bring it into dealer.

It shouldn’t.

I wanted red but didn’t see the option, should have reached out to ask. When I replace my filter I’ll go red eventually.