2nd Gen R56 Cooper S Most liked posts in thread: The best air filter for 2 things?

Our little engines really can't suck in enough air for there to be an induction roar.

The real question is foam or paper. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. Like what oil do you use people are opinionated with either foam or paper.

Mac or PC
iOS or Android
IRS or Satan
Gingers or Brunettes

Everyone has an opinion, they both work well. Either way someone will ridicule your choice. Someone else will congratulate for being right.

 

Just what I have been told...foam let's more noise out...
90% of what you find on these forums are "common knowledge", opinions, guesses...
The other 10% is a mix of pure BS, misinformation, or marketing....
I would find it funny to find a " noise spec" on a filter...
Automaker's spend $$$$ to make cars silent...then some like how/mini add sound through the radio...
If you are handy a CAI will add noise, and a tiny bit of HP...more than a filter which is 1/10th of that...

 

And they were the original reusable filter...often had an "oil bath" to keep them clean and sticky...
Paper filters replaced them due to lower cost and easier cleaning/replacement.
Just get a DRY FOAM filter and be done.

 

redact/redundant/had sumptin' to do with glandular chemistry.

 

Experiment with each.

See which sounds the way you envision.

 

Foam tends to let more noise through...
But just like power production...barely noticeable...
But more folks have caused more $$$ in DAMMAGE than ever saved IMO from over oiled filters...so the newer dry filters are becoming more common. If you go oiled...resist the urge to clean and oil for 60,000:miles or so unless you live in the sw....like Colorado/new mexico, then MAYBE yearly...and then the oil for foam is different than for fabric cotton...
And a few drops go a LONG way....
Too much, and sensors fail...and at $200-300 EACH...cheaper just too toss in a new paper filter yearly...

 

If you are after more noise, you could put an aftermarket cold air inlet on your car. They don't add any horsepower but they are noisier and filter the air well.

I just have an oiled foam filter on my MINI. I didn't notice any difference in sound compared to the stock paper filter.

 

Guys who deviate from MINI OEM are mostly interested in performance, either HP or handling. Audio does nothing to really enhance either so I don't see much enthusiasm for the search. Loud exhausts seem to have an attraction to the early post adolescent but put them in a performance situation I'm bettin' they'd be turtle in a heartbeat. The old Master Chief called it 'enthusiasm exceeding capabilities'.

 

Er...mini did it on the gen3....:mad2:

 

There are a few good ones out there that will use the non-functioning hood scoop.

 

DDM period.