The aFe MagnumFORCE Stage-2 Pro 5R is an open-element cold air intake for the BMW E36 inline-six, built around a tall, five-layer oiled cotton gauze cone filter. The filter sits inside a one-piece, black powder-coated heat shield, and the kit replaces the stock airbox and intake tract with a CAD-designed, roto-molded tube. The manufacturer claims gains of up to 20 hp and 25 lb-ft, with about 80% more flow than the factory intake. Because the filter is washable and reusable, owners avoid the recurring cost of paper elements, and the Pro 5R filter is CARB EO-listed (D-550-38) for California use on applicable models. Search terms this fits: E36 325i cold air intake, M50/M52 inline-six intake upgrade, Pro 5R oiled cotton gauze E36, and CARB EO D-550-38 E36 intake.
Fitment covers the 323is/ic, 325i/is/ic, 328i/is/ic and M3 (S50/S52) in the 1992 to 1999 E36 range. The model-year breakdown differs between sources, so confirm your exact year and engine code with the manufacturer before ordering. US-spec cars converted to a Euro mass airflow sensor need aFe's Tube Upgrade 54-12399, sold separately. The heat shield uses the factory mounting locations and includes all hardware, and the manufacturer states the kit requires no cutting or drilling of factory parts. The housing is designed to clear larger-style HID headlight housings. Owners on user forums commonly pair an intake like this with an ASC throttle body delete and a silicone boot, so plan for that if your car still has ASC.
Not by itself. The manufacturer states that US-spec cars converted to the Euro MAF need the separate Tube Upgrade 54-12399 to fit correctly.
The manufacturer says the system was designed to clear larger-style HID headlight housings.
The filter is washable and reusable. Owners on user forums typically rinse and re-oil it, and the manufacturer offers its own re-oiling kit for this filter family.
This is a bolt-on job with no cutting or drilling of factory parts, per the manufacturer. Plan to remove the stock airbox and intake tube, reconnect the mass airflow sensor to the new housing, and secure the heat shield and hardware at the factory mounting points. Basic hand tools and hose clamps are typically enough. Two gotchas: if you are converting to the Euro MAF, order Tube Upgrade 54-12399 before you start, and on cars with ASC you will need to address the throttle body, which owners often replace with a silicone boot. Double-check hose clamp seating and the MAF connection before starting the engine.
