[petey.ad]

Hi guys. I'm planning to get an intercooler soon for my 335i. The more popular ones that I see for the N55 engine are Wagner, CSF and Masata in the UK. Price points for these brands are very different so was just wondering what differences are there between a cheaper intercooler as compared to a higher price point intercooler? Any ideas??

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by petey.ad

Hi guys. I'm planning to get an intercooler soon for my 335i. The more popular ones that I see for the N55 engine are Wagner, CSF and Masata in the UK. Price points for these brands are very different so was just wondering what differences are there between a cheaper intercooler as compared to a higher price point intercooler? Any ideas??

Depth, height and fin density are what makes better than another. Typically, More fins means more cooling.

Masata is a BMS/VRSF 5” clone that should perform the exact same. 16 fins an inch
The CFS is going to be a bit deeper than the Masata (5.5”), but have a lower fin density; reported 14 fins an inch
Finally Wagner (Evo 2) is 6 deep, and has 18 fins an inch. It also is the most expensive and doesn’t cool as well as the other two Options.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by petey.ad

Hi guys. I'm planning to get an intercooler soon for my 335i. The more popular ones that I see for the N55 engine are Wagner, CSF and Masata in the UK. Price points for these brands are very different so was just wondering what differences are there between a cheaper intercooler as compared to a higher price point intercooler? Any ideas??

before getting into pricing and brands

1. What are the mods on your car?
2. How hot does it get in your area?
3. Whats your budget?

[bugzy530]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

before getting into pricing and brands

1. What are the mods on your car?
2. How hot does it get in your area?
3. Whats your budget?

Not to highjack his thread but I'm thinking of also getting an intercooler

I have full bolt on.. charge pipe , inlet pipe, and down pipe along with mppk box etc .. what do you suggest for someone in Florida 90+ weather at times

[thejeremyman9]

Guys... not to be mean but there are literally dozens of threads and thousands of posts just in this section alone on the exact same topic. Repeating the same question is basically just asking everyone else to do the research for you. Amuro might have some links to the key ones, otherwise just google search (with or without a site: specific search for this site), or even easier just scroll through the recent pages of threads and you will see the IC ones.

Basically a good stepped 5'' IC is the bare minimum for a stage 2+ MHD / stage 2 BM3 tuned car. To make sure the one you are looking at is "good", do research on some of the key parameters amuro mentioned.

If you are going to max out stock turbo or go upgraded turbo, go bigger.

[n55david]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Guys... not to be mean but there are literally dozens of threads and thousands of posts just in this section alone on the exact same topic. Repeating the same question is basically just asking everyone else to do the research for you. Amuro might have some links to the key ones, otherwise just google search (with or without a site: specific search for this site), or even easier just scroll through the recent pages of threads and you will see the IC ones.

Basically a good stepped 5'' IC is the bare minimum for a stage 2+ MHD / stage 2 BM3 tuned car. To make sure the one you are looking at is "good", do research on some of the key parameters amuro mentioned.

If you are going to max out stock turbo or go upgraded turbo, go bigger.

I feel like we are finally becoming a good bmw site and on top of it.. people with different chassis and engine setups are coming to us for answers. the best thing we can do now is tell everyone to just Google it and or give bad advice.

OP, have you looked at ARM, MAD or Dinan? those are the only ones I'd look at.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Phantom10R

I feel like we are finally becoming a good bmw site and on top of it.. people with different chassis and engine setups are coming to us for answers. the best thing we can do now is tell everyone to just Google it and or give bad advice.

OP, have you looked at ARM, MAD or Dinan? those are the only ones I'd look at.

Lol, I am all about being as helpful as possible but I do expect basic due diligence, especially before starting a new thread. In an ideal world, every thread would be started with "hey guys, i searched for ABC and i found XYZ, however..." then explain why you have a unique situation that warrants a new thread.

[n55david]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Lol, I am all about being as helpful as possible but I do expect basic due diligence, especially before starting a new thread. In an ideal world, every thread would be started with "hey guys, i searched for ABC and i found XYZ, however..." then explain why you have a unique situation that warrants a new thread.

yeah we both know that's almost never gonna happen lol

[johnung]

Originally Posted by petey.ad

Hi guys. I'm planning to get an intercooler soon for my 335i. The more popular ones that I see for the N55 engine are Wagner, CSF and Masata in the UK. Price points for these brands are very different so was just wondering what differences are there between a cheaper intercooler as compared to a higher price point intercooler? Any ideas??

You don't supply a lot of detail. But assuming an N55 335i in a daily driver in UK climate with a typical Stage1 or Stage2 tune, IMO of the three you are considering I'd go with the Wagner Competition EVO1.

It's got plenty of capacity to cool up to 400+hp and quick flow to prevent adding turbo lag. It will be very responsive in daily driving. All of the FMICs that you are considering will prevent Heat Soak. Bigger is not better with a daily driver that's constantly spooling up from standing starts and driving at lows revs. You want it as quick and responsive as possible.

I have the Wagner Competition EVO1 on my F30 335ix with BootMod3 Stage2. No heat soak, & quick and responsive in daily driving.

Hope this helps!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by bugzy530

Not to highjack his thread but I'm thinking of also getting an intercooler

I have full bolt on.. charge pipe , inlet pipe, and down pipe along with mppk box etc .. what do you suggest for someone in Florida 90+ weather at times

I recommend MAD 7", BMS Race, Wagner EVO II, CSF, or Evolution Racewerks.

All good options with high-density cores

[petey.ad]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

before getting into pricing and brands

1. What are the mods on your car?
2. How hot does it get in your area?
3. Whats your budget?

Hey Mike, just got the BM3 and Masata charge pipe on currently. It usually wont hit anywhere above 25 degrees celsius (about 75 degrees fahrenheit). Budget is around £400 to £600, but willing to budget more if it's worth it. Thanks!!

[petey.ad]

Originally Posted by johnung

You don't supply a lot of detail. But assuming an N55 335i in a daily driver in UK climate with a typical Stage1 or Stage2 tune, IMO of the three you are considering I'd go with the Wagner Competition EVO1.

It's got plenty of capacity to cool up to 400+hp and quick flow to prevent adding turbo lag. It will be very responsive in daily driving. All of the FMICs that you are considering will prevent Heat Soak. Bigger is not better with a daily driver that's constantly spooling up from standing starts and driving at lows revs. You want it as quick and responsive as possible.

I have the Wagner Competition EVO1 on my F30 335ix with BootMod3 Stage2. No heat soak, & quick and responsive in daily driving.

Hope this helps!

Cool thanks! Yeah I', currently on stage 1, got a BM3 tune also along with an upgraded charge pipe. Just wanted to get some opinion before making a decision, this really helps!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by petey.ad

Hey Mike, just got the BM3 and Masata charge pipe on currently. It usually wont hit anywhere above 25 degrees celsius (about 75 degrees fahrenheit). Budget is around £400 to £600, but willing to budget more if it's worth it. Thanks!!

since temps are so low in your area, i recommend a 5" intercooler. It will keep temps in check without any added weight or turbo lag.

Check out the MAD 5", BMS replacement intercooler or Active Autowerke

[sspade]

I think the ARM Motorsports F3X FMIC KIT is an excellent choice. Fits perfect, great build quality, and dyno proven performance boost... all for a great value too.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by sspade

I think the ARM Motorsports F3X FMIC KIT is an excellent choice. Fits perfect, great build quality, and dyno proven performance boost... all for a great value too.

I forgot about the ARM, a really good choice as well

[AmuroRay]

Originally Posted by sspade

I think the ARM Motorsports F3X FMIC KIT is an excellent choice. Fits perfect, great build quality, and dyno proven performance boost... all for a great value too.

The ARM core is going to be hands down the best value you can get. It’s going to have the lowest IATs (on par with the ER) and it’s a low price point.

[jew82]

Just got the 335i too. In for and IC!

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by jew82

Just got the 335i too. In for and IC!

What kind of mods are you planning to get?

[jew82]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

What kind of mods are you planning to get?

Bolts ons and bm3. I'll check your site

[MadToy]

I have my cart at X-PH filling up with my wish list, and this thread is helping to make sure I'm making the right choices - so thanks for posting OP.

While I understand the frustration long time users have of having to read repeat topics, you also need to realize that 90% of our search results of typical subjects are finding threads where someone tells me to search more. Well crap, I did search - which is how I found this. It's like sifting for gold

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by jew82

Bolts ons and bm3. I'll check your site

get the best combo deal and upgrade to the 7" intercooler

Originally Posted by MadToy

I have my cart at X-PH filling up with my wish list, and this thread is helping to make sure I'm making the right choices - so thanks for posting OP.

While I understand the frustration long time users have of having to read repeat topics, you also need to realize that 90% of our search results of typical subjects are finding threads where someone tells me to search more. Well crap, I did search - which is how I found this. It's like sifting for gold

let me know if i can help

[MadToy]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

get the best combo deal and upgrade to the 7" intercooler



let me know if i can help

As soon as I take possession of the car, hopefully next Monday, I'll be pulling the trigger on the ARM intercooler and charge pipe, along with BM3. Want to get the F30 in the same state of tune as my previous E90