One of the first things many MINI enthusiasts look to upgrade when starting their MINI modification journey is the air intake. We're going to answer some of the most common questions about air intakes to help you understand the differences between them and help you find the right choice for your MINI.
Why upgrade a car's air filter?
The stock air filter is made from corrugated paper which traps particles suspended in the air effectively but restricts the flow of air to your turbocharger, supercharger or naturally aspirated engine limiting its potential power. After-market filters, aim to maintain the dust trapping abilities whilst allowing much greater volumes of air to pass through them. This is achieved with one or more of the following qualities; increased surface area, improved choice of filtering materials, better flow geometries and placement within the engine bay. Although more expensive than the stock paper filter, after-market products have much longer lifespans often being washable and reusable. 
What is the benefit of a cold air intake kit over a panel filter?
Panel filters are a great upgrade over the standard paper filter. They are relatively low cost and are appropriate for enthusiastically driven road-going MINIs that have been modified up to a stage 1 ECU remap. Throwing a panel filter on your MINI gives you some more intake noise and measurably better airflow than stock so if you're going with a light touch approach, we'd go with a panel filter over a cold air intake kit. They're super quick and easy to drop in and are a great subtle modification of your MINI.
If you're looking to take your MINI further; you want more intake noise, more power and to feed your Turbo or Supercharger with some cold dense oxygen, then a cold air intake is the way to go. Cold air intakes use cone shaped filters that have a much greater surface area to draw air in from. They also aid the flow of air into the engine due to their geometry. Their shape promotes the smooth flow of air into the piping that channels it toward the supercharger or turbocharger of the Cooper S, JCW or GP engines. Although these cost more, the increase in power is more significant and they open the door to Stage 2 ECU tuning and beyond.
Some air intakes come with a heat shield and a cold air feed. MINI engines do run hot and our engine bay temperatures are often warmer than ideal. An unshielded intake acts as a heat soak and only has access to warm air whereas a shielded intake with a supply of cold dense air from outside of the car offers a huge advantage over those that don't.
Should I buy a foam, cotton or nanofibre air filter?
After-market performance filters are made from Cotton gauze, synthetic nanofibre or polyurethane foam which allow the fast flow of air (for better performance) whilst capturing all the dust and fine particles stopping them from entering your engine.
Foam filters are often two or three layers of dense foam that trap airborne particles preventing them from entering your engine. If you drive in a dusty environment, they are effective at capturing debris but they will require regular cleaning to maintain their filtering capability. Foam filters allow for the fast flow of air with their open pore structure when kept clean so if you're prepared to look after them, you'll be rewarded with the highest level of engine performance.
Cotton filters (such as the K&N cone filters) are made from multi-layers of oiled & pleated cotton to create a large surface area to draw air in from and catch debris with. Cotton filters tend to have slightly longer maintenance intervals than foam filters, they're more durable not breaking down as easily as foam does over time and they are easier to re-oil. They are a great choice for urban environments and are a popular choice for common road and track conditions balancing filtration and air flow well.
Synthetic Nanofibre filters (such as the Ramair Proram cone filter) are a newer technology that mimics the way cotton cone filters work but with superior filtration properties. They are capable of removing smaller particles from the air and are even more durable than cotton filters. A great low-maintenance choice needing no oil and that still gives you plenty of extra airflow.
Do I need to oil my air filter and will my MAF sensor be ok?
Yes, oiling your cotton or foam air filter is necessary. Both will do their job to some extent dry however their performance is compromised so we'd say yes oil your filter. It has the dual benefit of improving filtration ability and increasing airflow. Check the specific model you have and also which oil is best for your particular model. Nanofibre filters such as the Ramair Proram filters are designed to be used dry so these won't need oiling.
Make sure to follow the instructions as to how to re-oil your filter properly. Over-oiling is how damage can be caused to the MAF sensor so ensure to apply oil sparingly and allow time for absorption before installing the filter.
How often should I clean my filter?
Cleaning and re-oiling is generally advised roughly every 10-20K miles but this depends on where and how you drive your MINI so check with the manufacturer's recommendations and set a reminder in your phone to inspect it later in the year! Some brands have cleaning products available or washing them out with soapy water will do the job. Air dry and then re-oil. Don't use high-pressure air or water as this can cause damage. When re-oiling make sure that the oil you use is the correct type for your filter and remember if your filter is a nanofibre type it probably doesn't need oiling.
Take a look at the range of induction kits and panel filters we have. We stock only the brands we trust and products we know have measurable benefits to your MINI!
