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.
There are no money to spare to make such experiments. I always thought that forums is the best place to get such help from other users!
Foam tends to let more noise through... But just like power production...barely noticeable... But more folks have caused more $$$ in DAMMAGE than ever saved IMO from over oiled filters...so the newer dry filters are becoming more common. If you go oiled...resist the urge to clean and oil for 60,000:miles or so unless you live in the sw....like Colorado/new mexico, then MAYBE yearly...and then the oil for foam is different than for fabric cotton... And a few drops go a LONG way.... Too much, and sensors fail...and at $200-300 EACH...cheaper just too toss in a new paper filter yearly...
If its barely noticeable how do you know that foam tends to let more noise? Is your opinion based on some specs? Please let me know, im interested!
If you are after more noise, you could put an aftermarket cold air inlet on your car. They don't add any horsepower but they are noisier and filter the air well. I just have an oiled foam filter on my MINI. I didn't notice any difference in sound compared to the stock paper filter.
Just what I have been told...foam let's more noise out... 90% of what you find on these forums are "common knowledge", opinions, guesses... The other 10% is a mix of pure BS, misinformation, or marketing.... I would find it funny to find a " noise spec" on a filter... Automaker's spend $$$$ to make cars silent...then some like how/mini add sound through the radio... If you are handy a CAI will add noise, and a tiny bit of HP...more than a filter which is 1/10th of that...
Guys who deviate from MINI OEM are mostly interested in performance, either HP or handling. Audio does nothing to really enhance either so I don't see much enthusiasm for the search. Loud exhausts seem to have an attraction to the early post adolescent but put them in a performance situation I'm bettin' they'd be turtle in a heartbeat. The old Master Chief called it 'enthusiasm exceeding capabilities'.
Here ya go. Keep your stock filter and install a "sound racer V8". Video: SoundRacer V8 turns your boring family car into a fire-breather
And seriously, the only noise you will hear from the intake is the hoover sound. Not like the sweet sound of a supercharger.
If your running a stock air box, it doesn't matter what you put in there, it won't add noise. Save your money and buy a CAI for increased noise. Different CAI's are louder than others, but I don't think you'll notice any difference with filter type.
They will come with a filter... How much $$$ do you want to spend... The cheap ones are "open" hai (hot air intakes)...you can see the filter with the hood open.. The more $$$ ones are sealed...true CAI.. To prevent confusion, please post the EXACT year and make car, and if you have the n14 or n18 to make things simpler. As you can see, you are at a crossroads....do you vote for show or go?! Spend $$$ to gain a tiny bit of performance.... Or spend $$ to possibly loose performance, but gain "looks" and more sound... Me, I always went with more of the sleeper OEM+ idea... Was kinda funny...seeing a RICED out car pull up...and see them behind me...slower than a STOCK car....all show, no go...works for some folks, but not me...like putting lipstick on a pig, or body cladding on a GM and calling it a Pontiac....