[Tara&Paul]

I fitted an ITG foam filter (ITG Part Number BH225) today to our R56 JCW MCS and I can report the following:

Throttle response is significantly quicker, engine pulls much better from 2000rpm and the "flat spot" around 2700rpm is less noticeable.

The exhaust note is very slightly deeper and louder and there is no increase in induction noise.

The filter was a very easy direct fit, no fiddling! The filter even has the triangular mounting slot on the end.

I did a "blow" test between the ITG filter and the original BMW paper one. The ITG filter has significantly better air flow, I could actually feel air coming through the ITG filter, I couldn't with the BMW paper one!

And the ITG filter is washable and reuseable and a lot cheaper at £40 plus VAT!

So get one, it's worth it!!!

P.

[kevkbuk]

Thanks for the post, didn't know this had been launched yet. Where did you buy it from?

Do you hear the stock dump valve any better with this?

Not sure what you mean by a flat spot, mine doesn't have one, you may want to get it looked at?

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

I fitted an ITG foam filter (ITG Part Number BH225) today to our R56 JCW MCS and I can report the following:

Throttle response is significantly quicker, engine pulls much better from 2000rpm and the "flat spot" around 2700rpm is less noticeable.

The exhaust note is very slightly deeper and louder and there is no increase in induction noise.

The filter was a very easy direct fit, no fiddling! The filter even has the triangular mounting slot on the end.

I did a "blow" test between the ITG filter and the original BMW paper one. The ITG filter has significantly better air flow, I could actually feel air coming through the ITG filter, I couldn't with the BMW paper one!

And the ITG filter is washable and reuseable and a lot cheaper at £40 plus VAT!

So get one, it's worth it!!!

P.

Thanks T&P,

Is this the one that was desgned to fit the R53JCW?, and if so i have 2 questions.

1. Does the inlet dia. seal correctly or is it loose?.
2. Did you have to trim the end cap foam to avoid the 'V' shaped protrusion in the R56 JCW airbox?.

Or is this the one designed specially for the R56 JCW?. If so, where did you buy it..............cause i want one now

[Vecchio Engineering]

Japper,

this filter is for the R53 Mini Cooper S. You don't have to modify anything. We will shortly be launching the R56 JCW. Take a look at our site.

http://www.vecchio.co.uk/index.php?productID=2

[kevkbuk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vecchio Engineering (original)

Japper,

this filter is for the R53 Mini Cooper S. You don't have to modify anything. We will shortly be launching the R56 JCW. Take a look at our site.

http://www.vecchio.co.uk/index.php?productID=2

I'd probably buy one too!

However, wasn't it you that sent an R56 Works airbox to ITG so a filter could be made? It was my understanding from several threads on here and NAM also that the R53 filter didn't fit....

When you say you'll soon be launching the product do you mean you'll update your website to list it as R56 or that there is a different filter coming out???

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vecchio Engineering (original)

Japper,

this filter is for the R53 Mini Cooper S. You don't have to modify anything. We will shortly be launching the R56 JCW. Take a look at our site.

http://www.vecchio.co.uk/index.php?productID=2

Do you mean you will be launching the R53 as the same as the R56 or have you developed a new one?.

The reason i asked the above questions is that i discussed this in detail ( with pictures ) to a guy in the states that had tried to fit the R53 one to his R56 and said ( and showed ) the inlet dia. was too big. He ordered a replacement and that was the same. He also said the end cap would need trimming to avoid the 'V' protrusion in the R56 box.

Any pics of it fitted to a R56 JCW ?.

Thanks.

[Vecchio Engineering]

Hello,

I have sent the R56 JCW airbox to ITG. They will be making a specific ITG filter for the R56. The ITG R53 filter will not fit the R56 filter box. As soon as I have the filter I'll start another thread and place pics on the website.

Regards Leo

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vecchio Engineering (original)

Hello,

I have sent the R56 JCW airbox to ITG. They will be making a specific ITG filter for the R56. The ITG R53 filter will not fit the R56 filter box. As soon as I have the filter I'll start another thread and place pics on the website.

Regards Leo

That's what i thought, but the originator of this post is saying it does, hence our questions.

T&P.....................Please enlighten us

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

That's what i thought, but the originator of this post is saying it does, hence our questions.

T&P.....................Please enlighten us

It does fit, want to see some pictures or have a look at my car?

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

It does fit, want to see some pictures or have a look at my car?

I would just like to add that I phoned ITG, told them exactly what car I have and they gave me a part number and a phone number of where I could buy the item and how much I would expect to pay for the item.

The air filter went in, no problem. The inlet pipe was not loose in the air filter and I didn't have to trim or cut anything to get it to fit.

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

I would just like to add that I phoned ITG, told them exactly what car I have and they gave me a part number and a phone number of where I could buy the item and how much I would expect to pay for the item.

The air filter went in, no problem. The inlet pipe was not loose in the air filter and I didn't have to trim or cut anything to get it to fit.

Tara & Paul,

In no way was i doubting you, just trying to get to the bottom of this and thought Vecchio had supplied it to you.

Can you let us all know where you bought it from please

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

Tara & Paul,

In no way was i doubting you, just trying to get to the bottom of this and thought Vecchio had supplied it to you.

Can you let us all know where you bought it from please

Pics would be great as well

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

Tara & Paul,

In no way was i doubting you, just trying to get to the bottom of this and thought Vecchio had supplied it to you.

Can you let us all know where you bought it from please

I bought it mail order from Merlin Motorsport at Castle Coombe Circut, it arrived the day after I placed the order! You can phone them on 01249 782101.

I paid £46.63 including VAT and Delivery.

P.

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

Pics would be great as well

Weather permitting, I'll dig the camera out this weekend.....

[Japper]

Mine got delivered today, so i'll be fitting it tonight

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

Mine got delivered today, so i'll be fitting it tonight

Please let me know how you get on with the filter and what you think of it?

P.

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

Please let me know how you get on with the filter and what you think of it?

P.

Sorry Paul, not impressed at all.

It does fit.......................but then so does a square peg in a round hole if you hit it hard enough

This filter was designed for the R53, and so as i said the 'Triangular lug' on the R56 box means that this filter gets pressed too far over bending the support cross member attached to the inlet pipe. In doing so ith also dents / buckles the wire mesh structure / seal of the filter inlet.

I did fit it and took it out for a quick blast. Started it up and the revs on blipping throttle were a little rough at first. On the blast i didn't notice any improvement to be honest

My OEM is going back on in the morning.

ITG need to make one that is smaller on diameter also, as there isn't any room for air to circulate around the filter.

If this had been designed for the R56 then the ITG logo would be face up

You win some and you lose some i guess.

[kevkbuk]

Thats a shame Japper but thanks for the report, I very nearly purchased one myself. I guess Vecchio is correct after all.

[Tara&Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Japper (original)

Sorry Paul, not impressed at all.

It does fit.......................but then so does a square peg in a round hole if you hit it hard enough

This filter was designed for the R53, and so as i said the 'Triangular lug' on the R56 box means that this filter gets pressed too far over bending the support cross member attached to the inlet pipe. In doing so ith also dents / buckles the wire mesh structure / seal of the filter inlet.

I did fit it and took it out for a quick blast. Started it up and the revs on blipping throttle were a little rough at first. On the blast i didn't notice any improvement to be honest

My OEM is going back on in the morning.

ITG need to make one that is smaller on diameter also, as there isn't any room for air to circulate around the filter.

If this had been designed for the R56 then the ITG logo would be face up

You win some and you lose some i guess.

Shame you're not impressed with the air filter.

I bought the air filter purely on the basis that ITG said it would fit after I told them EXACTLY what car I had, not very impressed with them giving me wrong information! I agree that the air filter is not a 100% perfect fit, but then every after-market performance air filter I've bought over the last 25 years hasn't been, so i thought that the ITG filter was the same? I wish I hadn't posted now as I feel very embarrased.

Sorry

[Japper]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tara&Paul (original)

Shame you're not impressed with the air filter.

I bought the air filter purely on the basis that ITG said it would fit after I told them EXACTLY what car I had, not very impressed with them giving me wrong information! I agree that the air filter is not a 100% perfect fit, but then every after-market performance air filter I've bought over the last 25 years hasn't been, so i thought that the ITG filter was the same? I wish I hadn't posted now as I feel very embarrased.

Sorry

No probs Paul, as i said you win some and you lose some and it wasn't an expensive mistake anyway

ITG will list / think this is ok for the R56 BECAUSE the OEM filter is the same in both the R53JCW and the R56JCW. But as i've said before there is a 'V' shaped protrusion in the R56 box that holds the underside of the filter end in addition to the triangular lug on both cars. The OEM is shaped to miss this. Also i don't think ITG with it's triple layer foam construction will be able to get a small enough diameter to be effective enough in the R56JCW. The airbox is very narrow and doesn't allow for any increase in diameter over stock.

Surely if K&N or any of the big boys could manufacture one to suit both gens of Mini, they would have plenty of interest