I'm currently running a homemade / ghetto intake with a KN filter on the end.
(I'll post pics this weekend if you're interested)

I don't want the cheapest intake, but the best value.
HELP?

 

Best value is truley stock intake with high flow drop in filter. The stock intake is alread a cold air intake. It has a funnel front the front grill that draws in cool air. However if you want to increase volume and keep it a cold air styled intake, I'd recommend the JCW Intake. It uses a cone with the same stock base unit. Basically it changes the top of the intake to accept a cone filter instead of a panel filter. I have the AEM intake now, but I plan on switching to the JCW intake soon.

It has been stated several times, the JCW has the best low end torque and gives the best in town driving feel, but has the less intake noise.

There is another intake, that gives a lot of noise and provides an adequate boost in performance. Made by Defenders of Speed or DOS. But they closed shop and you'll have to find an intake used.

As I said, I'm switching from AEM to JCW in the coming months. I daily drive my MINI so I'd like to have some of the in town grunt, its not a 1/4 mile car. I will miss the noise however (AEM isn't that loud anyway)

 

Like Grizld said, unless you get a JCW intake you'll be paying for sound, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I ended up buying a K&N Typhoon for around 160 bucks on sale at auto-anything. No noticeable power gain, but the sound alone is worth the money.

 

Plus 1; on the DOS Intake... By for the best sound and performance I have experienced from an Intake... Both N/A and Forced injection type intake Mods have nothing on the Dos design for MINI 👍

 

+1 on JCW intake… I replaced my OEM cone filter with a K & N universal fit filter and now I have it with an Amsoil cone filter for less downtime when cleaning it. As a result, better throttle response...

 

does the n14 JCW intake fit on n18?

 

Dos cai….

 

But the DoS is extinct...

 

That is why you'll need to find a used one.

 

I bought a used Alta and I couldn't be more happy, LOTS of wonderful noises to include sucking and the DV going off. In addition, volume is significantly increased as it draws in air from the hood scoop and below the filter housing (in addition to the cold air ducted from the lower front facia). There are some issues, notably, with the stock plastic inlet hose, vibrations caused by the intake cone has caused the inlet hose to crack at the turbo inlet. IAT is no higher than stock and usually registers between ambient to ambient + 5*F ( I do have a ceramic coated DP)