BMW E39 / E46 M54B30 Air Intake Resonator

[Stu08]

Good afternoon all,

I have a manual E39 530i Sport with the M54 3.0 engine.

I noticed in another forum discussion that some owners of E39's delete the air intake resonator using a genuine BMW E46 330i air intake boot (which doesn't have the connecting tube for the resonator).

Further investigation shows that the E46 330i with the same engine (and I believe same MAF by part number), does not have the air intake resonator present - hence the different air intake boot.

I did some research into the modification (Helmholtz resonator) and found that various owners of Mazda's (MX5), Audi's and BMW's also delete the resonator from the intake. There is talk on these forums (especially Audi and Mazda) that the resonator should not be removed as it doesn't simply reduce intake sound, but also helps smooth airflow before the MAF therefore giving increased torque.

Whilst I understand this may be the case on other brand engines (especially if they all have the resonator), the BMW version is slightly confusing as the M54B30 (3.0 engine found in the 530i and 330i) either has this resonator or not. Therefore, how could it negatively impact performance if removed if the 330i comes from the factory without it?

Please see images below:

BMW E39 530i (resonator = #4)



BMW E46 330i (no resonator)



Thanks for any help.

Stu

[d_a_n1979]

This is the part: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIR-INTAKE-HOSE-BMW-E46...

It's all in my project on the 5 forums Stu

It's never caused any issues on all my 530i's and TBH I've done it as it's tidier and, all 3 were damaged (they'll have been pulled out without whomever doing it realising they're screwed to the air box) and that's where they were damaged...

[Stu08]

d_a_n1979 said:

This is the part: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIR-INTAKE-HOSE-BMW-E46...

It's all in my project on the 5 forums Stu

It's never caused any issues on all my 530i's and TBH I've done it as it's tidier and, all 3 were damaged (they'll have been pulled out without whomever doing it realising they're screwed to the air box) and that's where they were damaged...

Thanks Dan - I remember looking at yours on 5 and really liked the thought of extra intake sound. When I then did some research I was slightly concerned that I could lose torque (which on a 5 isn't ideal). Having looked at it a little bit more - these resonators appear in two different positions on an intake, which may help determine its function.

I've read if the resonator is before the MAF it helps with sound reduction, but primarily function is to help air flow through the MAF. If it's after the MAF its primary role is to reduce noise as the air has already been screened by the MAF. It looks like ours is after the MAF sensor which would lead me to think (as you say), it's really there to reduce intake sound.