Tlminh
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
I had been on the fence about an intake for years, knowing it would increase IATs and decrease performance. Price kept me away too. Everyone recommends MST or Armaspeed, which run more than $550 USD
However, all the damn youtube videos showing people reacting to amazing jet like sounds finally got to me, so I decide to take the risk.
MAD was running a Holiday sale on their website: $199 for their intake and $116 for the inlet. A few vendors had recommended MAD, saying they were nearly identical to MST. For $315 shipped, I figured I'd take the risk.
After I ordered from MAD's website, the intake arrived 3 days later via fedex, though the inlet arrived in another 3 days via USPS (New Year holiday).
Well packaged with all the screws, clips, and fasteners needed. Zero instructions though. Finish looked good though intake tube had a tiny blemish. From what I can tell, the intake tube and heat shield are identical to MST, but the MAD filter appears to be slightly smaller than MST.
The inlet is enitrely different though. MST inlet is made of silicone, but the MAD inlet is all aluminum and looks identical to the Paradigm inlet (e.g. the way it uses a C clip to attach to the turbo, and the indentation at the bend to make room for charge pipe clearance).
FYSA, when researching online, turbo inlet pipes can be made with aluminum (CTS, paradigm, MAD), Carbon Fiber (armaspeed, Dinan) or silicone (MST). The Dinan rep on bimmer forums said it was purely a cosmetic decision to make their inlet pipe of Carbon Fiber vs aluminum. There are several discussions regarding inlet material made of aluminum vs CF vs silicone, but that story is for another day.
Install was pretty straightforward. Watched a few YouTube videos, broke breather hose clip like 90% of you. (Someone recommended using 90 degree pick to lift the edge, that didn't work for me).
The inlet fit very well and the breather hose had no issues reaching it. There was almost no struggle with this.
Intake fitment was fine. Just follow the many youtube MST install videos and you'll be set. I did reuse the screws that attach the sensor to the intake tube, though later realize I was supposed to use the screws that came with the intake. This is where INSTRUCTIONS would have been helpful lol. Slight struggle getting everything lined up into the heatsheild but nothing crazy.
After everything was buttoned up, started then engine. No CEL. Yay! Took her for a ride and can definitely hear the turbo. Slightly disappointed because all the youtube videos show downright orgasmic reactions. It's noticeable but not life changing like some make it out to be. I also noticed some reviewers put the microphone in the engine bay thereby exaggerating the sounds even more. Granted, I already have an AA catted DP and an HKS exhaust installed, so maybe I was unfairly expecting the intake to be louder. It is not.
I have not tested any IATs which is what turned me away from intakes for so long. I already have the Verus heat shield ordered though. I also don't track or race the car so heatsoaking risk should be minimal.
In conclusion, I recommend the MAD intake if you are looking for an affordable intake. Fit and finish were good. Sounds great, just have realistic expectations about volume though.
However, all the damn youtube videos showing people reacting to amazing jet like sounds finally got to me, so I decide to take the risk.
MAD was running a Holiday sale on their website: $199 for their intake and $116 for the inlet. A few vendors had recommended MAD, saying they were nearly identical to MST. For $315 shipped, I figured I'd take the risk.
After I ordered from MAD's website, the intake arrived 3 days later via fedex, though the inlet arrived in another 3 days via USPS (New Year holiday).
Well packaged with all the screws, clips, and fasteners needed. Zero instructions though. Finish looked good though intake tube had a tiny blemish. From what I can tell, the intake tube and heat shield are identical to MST, but the MAD filter appears to be slightly smaller than MST.
The inlet is enitrely different though. MST inlet is made of silicone, but the MAD inlet is all aluminum and looks identical to the Paradigm inlet (e.g. the way it uses a C clip to attach to the turbo, and the indentation at the bend to make room for charge pipe clearance).
FYSA, when researching online, turbo inlet pipes can be made with aluminum (CTS, paradigm, MAD), Carbon Fiber (armaspeed, Dinan) or silicone (MST). The Dinan rep on bimmer forums said it was purely a cosmetic decision to make their inlet pipe of Carbon Fiber vs aluminum. There are several discussions regarding inlet material made of aluminum vs CF vs silicone, but that story is for another day.
Install was pretty straightforward. Watched a few YouTube videos, broke breather hose clip like 90% of you. (Someone recommended using 90 degree pick to lift the edge, that didn't work for me).
The inlet fit very well and the breather hose had no issues reaching it. There was almost no struggle with this.
Intake fitment was fine. Just follow the many youtube MST install videos and you'll be set. I did reuse the screws that attach the sensor to the intake tube, though later realize I was supposed to use the screws that came with the intake. This is where INSTRUCTIONS would have been helpful lol. Slight struggle getting everything lined up into the heatsheild but nothing crazy.
After everything was buttoned up, started then engine. No CEL. Yay! Took her for a ride and can definitely hear the turbo. Slightly disappointed because all the youtube videos show downright orgasmic reactions. It's noticeable but not life changing like some make it out to be. I also noticed some reviewers put the microphone in the engine bay thereby exaggerating the sounds even more. Granted, I already have an AA catted DP and an HKS exhaust installed, so maybe I was unfairly expecting the intake to be louder. It is not.
I have not tested any IATs which is what turned me away from intakes for so long. I already have the Verus heat shield ordered though. I also don't track or race the car so heatsoaking risk should be minimal.
In conclusion, I recommend the MAD intake if you are looking for an affordable intake. Fit and finish were good. Sounds great, just have realistic expectations about volume though.
Sponsored
Last edited:
