FMIC's

[Gpwheels]

I am in the market for an upgraded intercooler. I've read that some of you have had problems with Stett and I am not sure I want my IC blocking part of my rad. I'm looking towards ER or Wagner. ER looks like quality components and I like the steel plumbing to replace the stock hoses, but Wagner is cheaper with a bigger core. Do you have to remove the front bumper to install the ER? I've heard Wagner is easier to install. Is there much performance difference or does anyone know? Just looking for some advice. Thanks

[pete_z89]

I have the Wagner. Took the shop under 45 mins to install. No bumper removal required. No trimming either. Good build. And my butt dyno was thoroughly satisfied after I upgraded from Cobb stage 1 to Cobb Stage 1+FMIC. I've heard it's around a 30hp gain.

[army_men]

running ER FMIC without complain, it's been rock solid performance. install was easy, included some very minor trimming of plastic parts. but it sits solid once its on.

Cobb Stage 2 + FMIC is very addicting.

[Gpwheels]

Did you have to remove the bumper to install the ER?

[Hujan]

Would also like to know. I am partial to the ER only because I like the idea of using their Z4-specific, metal charge pipe, but if the Wagner is cheaper, easier to install, and requires no trimming, it might be tough to pass that up.

[jts1981]

Originally Posted by pete_z89

I have the Wagner. Took the shop under 45 mins to install. No bumper removal required. No trimming either. Good build. And my butt dyno was thoroughly satisfied after I upgraded from Cobb stage 1 to Cobb Stage 1+FMIC. I've heard it's around a 30hp gain.

Interesting you didn't have to take off the bumper or trim. How does it compare to stock, larger, more/ better flow? Can you tell us which version you picked up and from where?

[pete_z89]

http://www.wagner-tuning.com/BMW-135...ines_p_42.html

Bought it from here. Got it shipped from Wagner's stateside retailer in Cali. Very well packaged. The Wagner has more surface area than the ER, is $400 cheaper (MSRP), doesn't require trimming, and has great customer service. One could also argue that it performs better.

My next step is to get the ER charge pipe with an HKS BOV. I understand that you like the ER better because it has a Z4 specific charge pipe, but that doesn't mean you also have to pay a lot more for an intercooler that does the same or worse than the Wagner.

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by pete_z89

http://www.wagner-tuning.com/BMW-135...ines_p_42.html

Bought it from here. Got it shipped from Wagner's stateside retailer in Cali. Very well packaged. The Wagner has more surface area than the ER, is $400 cheaper (MSRP), doesn't require trimming, and has great customer service. One could also argue that it performs better.

My next step is to get the ER charge pipe with an HKS BOV. I understand that you like the ER better because it has a Z4 specific charge pipe, but that doesn't mean you also have to pay a lot more for an intercooler that does the same or worse than the Wagner.

Thanks for the link. How confident are you that the ER charge pipe will fit the Wagner FMIC?

[army_men]

The shop that did my ER install did take off my bumper to trim a bit of plastic off of the front. I also have ER CP with HKS BOV, I'm quite happy with it actually. pretty sure the CP doesn't do anything performance wise but it's nice to listen to.

Was looking to buy Wagner, but got a good deal for the ER FMIC CP BOV combo.

[pete_z89]

Originally Posted by Hujan

Thanks for the link. How confident are you that the ER charge pipe will fit the Wagner FMIC?

The Wagner fit all my stock piping, so I'm 100% confident that the ER pipe will fit, since the ER pipe is designed to fit with stock piping.

Originally Posted by army_men

I also have ER CP with HKS BOV, I'm quite happy with it actually. pretty sure the CP doesn't do anything performance wise but it's nice to listen to.

Nice, ya I've heard the HKS BOV produces a sweet sound...exactly what I'm going for!

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by pete_z89

The Wagner fit all my stock piping, so I'm 100% confident that the ER pipe will fit, since the ER pipe is designed to fit with stock piping.

From this thread, it sounds like it will work but might take a little effort, at least on the F30 (though I think the FMIC and piping is the same on the N55 and N54):

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=932195

[pete_z89]

Originally Posted by Hujan

From this thread, it sounds like it will work but might take a little effort, at least on the F30 (though I think the FMIC and piping is the same on the N55 and N54):

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=932195

Hm, that seems weird to me. If the stock piping is designed to fit the Wagner IC, and the ER piping is designed to replace the stock piping, then why wouldn't it be a perfect fit? Doesn't quite make sense. Btw, that IC is slightly different than the one you'll get. The one for the e89 doesn't have both outlet pipes parallel to each other at a 45 degree angle; one is at a 45 degree angle, the other is parallel to the ground (0 degree angle, if you will). The only thing I could guess that would explain the toughness in installation would be he got slightly mis-shaped parts from either Wagner or ER. I still plan on going with the ER charge pipe...because it's designed to fit with all stock parts, and the Wagner IC is designed to fit with all stock parts, they will be 100% compatible.

[MTHuynh23]

My ER is on order looking fwd to install this. I will be having the same setup as "Army Men" =)

[jts1981]

Great thread! Since I started reading I've been infatuated with fmic. I had no idea abound Wagner and now I'm seriously thinking of picking one up in a month.

I YouTube'd videos for BMW fmic blowoff valve and while I found 3 series vids there was no luck for quality Z vids.

Can any one take a vid, driving with both windows up, down, full boost, and low boost? There's a great one with a 335 manual, but no dct.

I think it would be great for the e89 community!

[Hujan]

Originally Posted by jts1981

Great thread! Since I started reading I've been infatuated with fmic. I had no idea abound Wagner and now I'm seriously thinking of picking one up in a month.

I YouTube'd videos for BMW fmic blowoff valve and while I found 3 series vids there was no luck for quality Z vids.

Can any one take a vid, driving with both windows up, down, full boost, and low boost? There's a great one with a 335 manual, but no dct.

I think it would be great for the e89 community!

Definitely do a FMIC. It is such a great mod, especially if you live in a hot environment. FMIC, downpipes, tune = big power for minimal impact on daily drivability.

[jts1981]

Originally Posted by Hujan

Definitely do a FMIC. It is such a great mod, especially if you live in a hot environment. FMIC, downpipes, tune = big power for minimal impact on daily drivability.

Hopefully after i have my suspension done. Im in NYC and we've been bombarded with snow. I only took out the Z once in Feb. It might be awhile since I can enjoy the car as its meant to be.

[MTHuynh23]

Originally Posted by Gpwheels

I am in the market for an upgraded intercooler. I've read that some of you have had problems with Stett and I am not sure I want my IC blocking part of my rad. I'm looking towards ER or Wagner. ER looks like quality components and I like the steel plumbing to replace the stock hoses, but Wagner is cheaper with a bigger core. Do you have to remove the front bumper to install the ER? I've heard Wagner is easier to install. Is there much performance difference or does anyone know? Just looking for some advice. Thanks

cant go wrong with ER

[Gunzaro]

What is easier to install the ER or the Wagner?

I am looking for the quickest and easiest install (IE without having to remove bumper and modify anything)!!

[MTHuynh23]

Originally Posted by Gunzaro

What is easier to install the ER or the Wagner?

I am looking for the quickest and easiest install (IE without having to remove bumper and modify anything)!!

ER

[jannisa]

The Wagner unit gets installed in 20 minutes if you know what you 're doing. You 'll get some lag though compared to the stett.

[Lambobimmer]

HPF uses the stock connectors and it is very easy to install. You can get just about any FMIC for the Z4 without cutting because there is so much room.

[pete_z89]

Originally Posted by MTHuynh23

ER

ER requires cutting; it specifically says you need to cut to install it. So ER is definitely not the easiest to install.

HPF and Wagner are identical in that they don't require any cutting. Performance is identical as well, but the Wagner is $350 cheaper. I don't know anything about the Stett IC. But I'm sure it's not worth the extra $370 over the Wagner.