The S65 V8 is the reason you still own an E9X M3. It lives above 8,000 RPM, and every one of those revs depends on how much air it can pull. The factory airbox does its job, but the connecting path feeding it was built for quiet and cost, not for an engine that pulls this hard at the top.
The Dinan High Flow Intake for the BMW E90, E92 and E93 M3 keeps the factory airbox and rebuilds the path around it. A carbon fiber connecting pipe and injection-molded rubber boots open up 30% more cross-sectional area than stock. On Dinan's testing it adds up to 8 HP and 5 lb-ft at 8200 RPM, right where the S65 does its best work.
How the Dinan High Flow Intake Keeps Air Cool
More airflow only helps if the air stays cool. Dinan fits an injection-molded divider plate that seals against the factory airbox housing, so the filter draws from the cool side instead of pulling hot air off the engine. The connecting pipe is carbon fiber and the other parts are plastic and rubber, chosen because they insulate and carry little heat. That low thermal mass helps the system recover quickly after a hard pull instead of soaking up underhood heat like a metal tube.
Because the factory airbox stays, the engine bay keeps its OEM look and fit. Nothing hangs in open air and nothing rattles against the hood.
Dinan High Flow Intake Legal Status and Install
Read this before you order: this intake is not legal for sale or use in the State of California. Dinan lists it as EPA Emissions Code 7, legal under the EPA Tampering Policy in states that follow the Clean Air Act provisions, with CARB certification pending. Install takes about one hour with hand tools. Dinan part number D760-0028. Sold by AutoTecknic, an authorized Dinan dealer.
What's Included
- Carbon fiber connecting pipe
- Injection-molded rubber boots
- Injection-molded divider plate with high-flow passage
- High-flow filter element
Key Features
- 30% more cross-sectional area than the factory intake path
- Dinan-tested gain of up to 8 HP and 5 lb-ft at 8200 RPM
- Real carbon fiber connecting pipe, lightweight and heat insulating
- Divider plate seals against the factory airbox to block underhood heat
- Reuses the factory airbox for OEM fit and appearance
- Low thermal mass materials that shed heat quickly after hard acceleration
- About 1 hour install
Vehicle Fitment
Fits the following S65 V8 BMW M3 models:
- BMW M3 / E90 Sedan (2008-2011): M3
- BMW M3 / E92 Coupe (2008-2013): M3
- BMW M3 / E93 Convertible (2008-2013): M3
Not for non-M E9X 3 Series models.
Installation Notes
This is a one-hour job with basic hand tools and a cool engine. Follow the Dinan instructions included with the kit.
- Let the engine cool and open the factory airbox housing.
- Remove the factory filter and the factory connecting pipe and boots.
- Install the Dinan divider plate against the factory airbox housing.
- Fit the high-flow filter element, the carbon fiber connecting pipe and the rubber boots, then tighten all clamps.
- Close the airbox, start the engine and check that every connection is sealed with no warning lights.
