Cold Air Intake for BMW E36 3-Series (1992-1998) V6 Engine - Black

Maximize Airflow for your BMW E36 3-Series & M3 with the M50/M52 Straight-Six Intake

Who It’s For: Designed specifically for BMW E36 3-Series owners running the legendary M50, M52, S50, and S52 Inline-6 engine families. Whether you are daily driving a 328i or tracking an M3, this is for the enthusiast who wants to hear their engine breathe.

The Problem: The factory BMW airbox was engineered for silence and comfort, not maximum velocity. The stock plastic housing and restrictive paper filters create a bottleneck for the Inline-6, especially as the RPMs climb toward the vanos engagement point. Furthermore, the aged factory plastic often becomes brittle, leading to micro-cracks and vacuum leaks that can cause erratic idling.

The Solution: We engineered this intake to eliminate the restrictions of the factory plumbing. By utilizing lightweight aluminum piping and a high-flow washable filter, we allow the M52 and S52 engines to pull in a higher volume of air with less turbulence. This corrects the lazy throttle response found in stock E36 setups and provides the deep, aggressive induction roar that these BMW engines are famous for.

Why This is the Ultimate Upgrade

• Increased Volumetric Efficiency: By smoothing out the intake path, we’ve seen gains in horsepower and torque of up to 10%, particularly in the mid-to-high RPM range.
• Aluminum Construction: Unlike cheap plastic or rubber boots that collapse under heat, our mandrel-bent aluminum piping resists heat soak and maintains its structural integrity for the life of the vehicle.
• Direct Bolt-On Fitment: Designed to utilize factory mounting points for a clean installation that takes less than 60 minutes with basic hand tools. No cutting or welding required.

Technical Specifications

Compatibility & OEM Reference

Fits the Following Vehicles:

• 1992-1995 BMW 325i / 325is (E36)
• 1996-1999 BMW 328i / 328is / 328ic (E36)
• 1997-1999 BMW 323i / 323is / 323ic (E36; 1997 non-US)
• 1995 BMW M3 (3.0L S50)
• 1996-1999 BMW M3 (3.2L S52)

Interchange Part Numbers:

BMW-E36-I6-BLK, 13711739574, 13711730702, 13711703800

The Performance Promise

Buy with confidence. As specialists in the E36 chassis, we know that these cars reward quality parts. Every intake is inspected for weld integrity and finish before shipping. We recommend resetting your ECU after installation (disconnect the battery for 10 minutes) to allow the fuel trims to adjust to the increased air volume for maximum performance results.

Common Questions

Which BMW E36 models and engines does this cold air intake fit?
This intake is built for 1992-1998 BMW E36 323, 325, and 328 models, as well as the 1995-1999 E36 M3 equipped with the M50, M52, S50, or S52 Inline-6 engine.

Will this fit a 4-cylinder BMW 318i or 318is?
This system is engineered specifically for the 6-cylinder M50, M52, S50, and S52 Inline-6 engines.

What materials are used for the intake pipe and filter?
The kit uses black mandrel-bent lightweight aluminum piping paired with a high-flow washable red cotton filter element.

How long does installation take and are modifications required?
It is a direct bolt-on upgrade that uses factory mounting points and installs in under 60 minutes with basic hand tools, with no cutting or welding needed.

Should I reset my ECU after installing the intake?
Yes, disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes after installation is recommended so the ECU fuel trims can adjust to the increased airflow.