Which intercooler?

physh · 08-08-2014, 03:53 PM

Hi,

I have seen quite a few offerings for intercoolers around:
- Cobb
- Dinan
- Agency
- Forge
- Wagner

Given the fact they're all around the same price, I was wondering which one was better if there's a better one out there.

Thanks!

vivanapoli806 · 08-08-2014, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by physh

Hi,

I have seen quite a few offerings for intercoolers around:
- Cobb
- Dinan
- Agency
- Forge
- Wagner

Given the fact they're all around the same price, I was wondering which one was better if there's a better one out there.

Thanks!

Vrsf. Best bang for your buck and does exactly what all the ones u listed will do. Only have to choose if u want 5" or 7"

Chunner · 08-08-2014, 04:15 PM

Dinan, it has a shroud on the top lip to prevent air from escaping around the FMIC.

Dackelone · 08-08-2014, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by physh

Given the fact they're all around the same price, I was wondering which one was better if there's a better one out there.

Thanks!

Please define: "better" ?

For ease of install... the Wagner is PnP. So too the Cobb. Both are made well. I really can't comment on the other brands. I've only had my hands on the Coob and Wagner FMIC's.

RX-BMW · 08-08-2014, 04:22 PM

My ETS 5" wasn't too bad to install with no cutting/trimming. Running COBB stage 2+ with no overheat/issues

physh · 08-08-2014, 05:39 PM

Wow, that's a lot of responses! Thanks a lot!

Now I'm between VRSF and Wagner. Dinan seems overpriced...
Evo I or II for Wagner? Is it easy to install?

darkrom · 08-08-2014, 06:36 PM

I'll let you know how my AMS one is once I install it. They come very very highly recommended in the Evo X community as one of the highest quality companies.

Dackelone · 08-08-2014, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by physh

Wow, that's a lot of responses! Thanks a lot!

Now I'm between VRSF and Wagner. Dinan seems overpriced...
Evo I or II for Wagner? Is it easy to install?

Wagner's EvoI is PnP. There EvoII requires cutting up the factory intercooler hoses. IF you go the EvoII route(or even with some of the other FMIC's) you also might want to get a Charge Pipe too - bc its easier to install all at once.

Lots of people go with the EvoI bc its totally PnP. Factory hose clips and no cutting of the inner bumper trim.

physh · 08-08-2014, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Lots of people go with the EvoI bc its totally PnP. Factory hose clips and no cutting of the inner bumper trim.

Is the performance satisfying using OEM hoses? I don't track the car that often.

physh · 08-08-2014, 07:02 PM

I stumbled upon a post on *********** with a comparison. It's quite entertaining.

Dackelone · 08-08-2014, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by physh

Is the performance satisfying using OEM hoses? I don't track the car that often.

Personally I think its ok unless you plan on going FOB(full bolt ons) and expect to extract maximum power. I think using a FMIC with factory fittings is fine for tunes producing less than say ~430 Hp.

At the moment I still only have a SW tune on my car making 380 PS and 520Nm with 14 psi of boost. And everyone always tells me they are so surprised on how fast my car is with everything stock except the SW tune. I gues I really should install a FMIC soon.

I also plan on using the factory clip/hoes bc I don't want to mess with leaking/blowing off hoses. I want to install something once and then forget about it!

physh · 08-08-2014, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I also plan on using the factory clip/hoes bc I don't want to mess with leaking/blowing off hoses. I want to install something once and then forget about it!

My point exactly. I'll try the Wagner based on that: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=679194

mike@x-ph.com · 08-09-2014, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by physh

Hi,

I have seen quite a few offerings for intercoolers around:
- Cobb
- Dinan
- Agency
- Forge
- Wagner

Given the fact they're all around the same price, I was wondering which one was better if there's a better one out there.

Thanks!

if i had to pick from that list i would pick Cobb.
That being said i probaby would pick 3 other exhausts before the Cobb one

A_Squared · 08-09-2014, 06:00 PM

I have the wagner and love it. Really good quality!

Miko226 · 08-10-2014, 12:50 AM

VRSF 5" Stepped or VRSF 7" depending on what your goals are. My VRSF 5" Stepped preforms extremely well in extreme temp's and humidity could not be happier.

houtan · 08-10-2014, 08:22 AM

I have a 2011 dct like you do and went with the Cobb intercooler. It is a very nice intercooler and has worked really well keeping iat in check while doing etunes for 91oct, e30, and e50. Having said that, our car has a heat exchanger for the dct that sits right next to the cold side outlet of the intercooler. The cold side silicone hose barely hits the exchanger which causes a slight kink. It doesn't affect performance of the intercooler but it something I would've liked to know before making the purchase. Cobb is aware of the fitment issues, but it's not clear if any design changes will be made.

I also have experience with the helix intercooler. Another nice piece of hardware. if I recall correctly, it did not have the same fitment issues. The outlet pipe diameter is slightly smaller than the Cobb intercooler, which is just enough to clear the transmission exchanger.

08-08-2014, 03:53 PM	#1
physh Private First Class 4 Rep 107 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport DCT Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (4)	Which intercooler? Hi, I have seen quite a few offerings for intercoolers around: - Cobb - Dinan - Agency - Forge - Wagner Given the fact they're all around the same price, I was wondering which one was better if there's a better one out there. Thanks!
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08-08-2014, 04:15 PM	#3
Chunner Captain 153 Rep 964 Posts Drives: BMW 135is \| #341/586 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: New York iTrader: (1) Garage List '13 BMW 135is #341/586 [9.50]	Dinan, it has a shroud on the top lip to prevent air from escaping around the FMIC. __________________ 2013 BMW 135is Coupe \| Dinan Stage 3 \| M3 Subframe Bushings \| Dinan Monoball Joints \| Dinan Toe Links \| 1M Strut Bar \| MPS AS/3 - VMR 710's 18x8.5 ET45 / 18x9.5 ET50 \| MPSS - BMW 313's 18x7.5 / 18x8.5 \| Min Grey, Savanna \| Prem, Tech \| DCT \| Beast #341/586 \| *2021 BMW X7 M50i \| Alpine White \| Children Hauler*
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08-08-2014, 04:22 PM	#5
RX-BMW Second Lieutenant 18 Rep 268 Posts Drives: 2009 135i sport package 6AT Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Louis iTrader: (0)	My ETS 5" wasn't too bad to install with no cutting/trimming. Running COBB stage 2+ with no overheat/issues __________________ Custom Wedge MHD 2+ Aggressive, AR Catless DP, ETS 5 FMIC, BMS DCI, BMS OCC, Berk Axleback, CF Diffuser, CP-E Chargepipe
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08-08-2014, 05:39 PM	#6
physh Private First Class 4 Rep 107 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport DCT Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (4)	Wow, that's a lot of responses! Thanks a lot! Now I'm between VRSF and Wagner. Dinan seems overpriced... Evo I or II for Wagner? Is it easy to install?
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08-08-2014, 06:36 PM	#7
darkrom Colonel 188 Rep 2,225 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Rhode Island iTrader: (5)	I'll let you know how my AMS one is once I install it. They come very very highly recommended in the Evo X community as one of the highest quality companies.
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08-08-2014, 07:02 PM	#10
physh Private First Class 4 Rep 107 Posts Drives: 2011 135i M-Sport DCT Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (4)	I stumbled upon a post on *********** with a comparison. It's quite entertaining.
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08-09-2014, 06:00 PM	#14
A_Squared Banned 46 Rep 363 Posts Drives: n54 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Las Vegas iTrader: (2)	I have the wagner and love it. Really good quality!
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08-10-2014, 12:50 AM	#15
Miko226 Captain 61 Rep 722 Posts Drives: 11' 335d Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Boca Raton, FL iTrader: (0)	VRSF 5" Stepped or VRSF 7" depending on what your goals are. My VRSF 5" Stepped preforms extremely well in extreme temp's and humidity could not be happier. __________________ 11' m57 335d 165k Miles - JR 2, ATM Full Exhaust & Intake, Wagner FMIC, AAR Boost Pipe, AAR Swirl Delete, AAR EGR Delete 08' n54 135i FBO E85 - SOLD
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08-10-2014, 08:22 AM	#16
houtan Colonel 707 Rep 2,448 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: socal iTrader: (17) Garage List 2011 135i [9.80]	I have a 2011 dct like you do and went with the Cobb intercooler. It is a very nice intercooler and has worked really well keeping iat in check while doing etunes for 91oct, e30, and e50. Having said that, our car has a heat exchanger for the dct that sits right next to the cold side outlet of the intercooler. The cold side silicone hose barely hits the exchanger which causes a slight kink. It doesn't affect performance of the intercooler but it something I would've liked to know before making the purchase. Cobb is aware of the fitment issues, but it's not clear if any design changes will be made. I also have experience with the helix intercooler. Another nice piece of hardware. if I recall correctly, it did not have the same fitment issues. The outlet pipe diameter is slightly smaller than the Cobb intercooler, which is just enough to clear the transmission exchanger.
	Appreciate 0 Quote