Anytime you can increase the effecitency of the engine, you will get more HP and better gas economy...you may get slightly better throttle response as well from the shorter intake path, but I wonder how much the hot air environment will decrease performance....I am not sure if anyone makes a cold air intake yet for the cars. Don't forget if you are taking in more air, then you must also get rid of more air....next logical step is to do header/exhaust
Johnny - who is going to go look for a cold air intake for MINI's....