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      02-17-2021, 10:41 PM   #1
E92TiAg335i
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Best Aftermarket Top Mount Intercooler? Leaking stock top mount?

Hey guys. I've had my 2016 M4 DCT for 13 months and done everything you possibly could maintenance-wise, except changing the coolant. Today— I checked both my engine coolant (was perfect) and my top-mount intercooler coolant. To my surprise, the intercooler reservoir was bone dry!!! My tech (very reputable indy shop in Miami. 10+ years experience as a tech at a big dealership) said that it doesn't always 100% mean it's leaking.

I topped it off and am planning on driving/observing the coolant level.

Does this mean it's 100% leaking? I've never gotten a warning and the top mount was always cool to the touch?

If these are obvious signs and it's 100% leaking— what aftermarket intercooler should i buy?

I'm not trying to spend an arm and a leg, but i also am a firm believed in premium parts. I'd like something that keeps my power the same (no losing power) and helps my IAT's.

Been looking at Mishimoto and Wagner. I know people run CSF, but isn't this the one which robs power? Is CTS any good? I won't be buying the China specials for sure (no names mentioned, but i'm sure you know which ones i'm talking about )

Below are my current mods for reference:
-BM3 Stage 1
-BM3 GTS DCT flash
-Active Autowerkes downpipes
-AFE Magnum intakes (dry filters and heat shields)
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      02-17-2021, 10:57 PM   #2
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Fill it properly, then do the purge procedure with the cap off. Have a 16oz water bottle of mix ready to add as needed. Be extra careful not to spill any coolant below the TMIC because your DME is right below, that's why I mention the water bottle (easy to pour). Not bad to have a rag tucked too. Run car for 10min, then do the purge procedure again, and top off. Note your fill level.

After a moderate drive let things cool and check the level again. Repeat this check/drive/cool/check a few times. If the level maintains then you probably don't have a leak, and maybe someone just left a cap a little loose.
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      02-17-2021, 11:06 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TopJimmy View Post
Fill it properly, then do the purge procedure with the cap off. Have a 16oz water bottle of mix ready to add as needed. Be extra careful not to spill any coolant below the TMIC because your DME is right below, that's why I mention the water bottle (easy to pour). Not bad to have a rag tucked too. Run car for 10min, then do the purge procedure again, and top off. Note your fill level.

After a moderate drive let things cool and check the level again. Repeat this check/drive/cool/check a few times. If the level maintains then you probably don't have a leak, and maybe someone just left a cap a little loose.
I bought non-diluted oem BMW coolant. I mixed it with distilled water. Poured it into the cooler (approximately 1.5-1.7 cups worth). Just drove the car for about 30 minutes (at times— i was getting on it.)

If I recall correctly, don't you have an aftermarket intercooler? Which one do you have?


By the way— a while back, you told me to reflash... i did it this past weekend and WOW. The car came back to life. Best advice i was given on this forum thus far 🙂
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      02-17-2021, 11:53 PM   #4
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I have a Wagner TMIC, but the factory OEM unit works pretty good for everything except hard track use...as long as you don't have a leaker.

Try the purge step to get all the bubbles out. Car to On, headlights on, heat all the way up, fan to lowest but not off, hold gas pedal 10 long seconds. Cycle runs for 12 minutes (set a timer). Have cap off and watch...add mix as needed to the low mark when the cycle sucks the coolant down. It comes back up. First few minutes of the cycle are quiet, then you hear noise. Top it to full at the very end.

Good to hear your re-flash worked!
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      02-18-2021, 12:13 AM   #5
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Have you felt any loss of power or hesitation during WOT pulls? Mine cracked last summer and I felt something wasn't right when I was on it, eventually on a hot day getting on the highway at WOT I got an engine malfunction message. Some people apparently throw codes for high IATs, I didn't and the malfunction cleared itself after I restarted the car. You're in FL, you'd know something is wrong way faster than me unless you drive like a grandma

Edit: I was going to mention to burp the car the right way after topping off but TopJimmy got the sequence covered

Doesn't hurt to have the car charging during the process.
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      02-18-2021, 02:31 AM   #6
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I would trust the garrett or mishimoto only.
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      02-18-2021, 07:32 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kilabyte View Post
Have you felt any loss of power or hesitation during WOT pulls? Mine cracked last summer and I felt something wasn't right when I was on it, eventually on a hot day getting on the highway at WOT I got an engine malfunction message. Some people apparently throw codes for high IATs, I didn't and the malfunction cleared itself after I restarted the car. You're in Miami, you'd know something is wrong way faster than me unless you drive like a grandma

Edit: I was going to mention to burp the car the right way after topping off but TopJimmy got the sequence covered

Doesn't hurt to have the car charging during the process.
It felt a little "slow" a few weeks ago when i got my intakes installed. It just wasn't pulling as much up top. When i did a log and sent it to PTF, they said everything looked great except my ignition timing. Seemed liked bad gas.

Got rid of the "bad tank" and it definitely came back to life.

A week ago, i reflashed to the same map (suggestion from TopJimmy on a totally different, unrelated thread) and the car felt like a monster again.

The only reason i knew that the coolant was gone was because i'm working from home and had a "slow day," so i decided to hop on the forums and read random crap. Saw the thread about intercooler. Went to go check and boom— empty.
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      02-18-2021, 09:46 AM   #8
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I have been using CSF top mount on my personal car for years and I have been very happy with the results. Spot fitment and the car feel much more lively during the hot vegas summer days. Its finish quality is top-notch as well
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      02-18-2021, 09:54 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com View Post
I have been using CSF top mount on my personal car for years and I have been very happy with the results. Spot fitment and the car feel much more lively during the hot vegas summer days. Its finish quality is top-notch as well
Mike, I've looked at the one myself as well— but i was skeptical about it after seeing the Kies Motorsports video where it shows a power loss on 3 consecutive runs. Can you speak to that?

NOT challenging you or anyone else, just want to know.
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      02-18-2021, 10:02 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E92TiAg335i View Post
Mike, I've looked at the one myself as well— but i was skeptical about it after seeing the Kies Motorsports video where it shows a power loss on 3 consecutive runs. Can you speak to that?

NOT challenging you or anyone else, just want to know.
I try my best to be consistent. Whenever I present data to other forum members and they don't like it or call it biased, I tell them to present better data or they have to accept mine.

I do not have any data for my claims so I can't disagree with what Kies posted.


I do not know what could have caused these results but my personal experience has been really positive with the CSF top mount (my car is pushing 600 whp)
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      02-18-2021, 10:26 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by E92TiAg335i View Post
Mike, I've looked at the one myself as well— but i was skeptical about it after seeing the Kies Motorsports video where it shows a power loss on 3 consecutive runs. Can you speak to that?

NOT challenging you or anyone else, just want to know.
I try my best to be consistent. Whenever I present data to other forum members and they don't like it or call it biased, I tell them to present better data or they have to accept mine.

I do not have any data so I can't disagree with what they posted.


I do not know what could have caused these results but my personal experience has been really positive with the CSF top mount (my car is pushing 600 whp)
I can tell you're not biased as you comment on a lot of threads (including most of mine) therefore i value your opinion

I'll look into the CSF intercooler. I'm assuming you guys sell those? How about Mishimoto?
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      02-18-2021, 01:42 PM   #12
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Update: attached are pictures i took right after i filled it up then immediately i took it on a hard drive and letting it sit all night.
Attached Images
  
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      02-18-2021, 01:53 PM   #13
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Mishimoto went above and beyond on providing data on their top mount heat exchanger:

Powering Perfection – Performance Air-to-Water Intercooler R&D – Concept, Design, and Production Sample
https://www.mishimoto.com/engineerin...ler-2015-2020/
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      02-18-2021, 02:17 PM   #14
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If you had bubbles in the line then you can drink the tank. Gotta do the purge procedure twice to be sure you're full. Then do the drive test.

Any leaks under the car?
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      02-18-2021, 02:22 PM   #15
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Quote:
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If you had bubbles in the line then you can drink the tank. Gotta do the purge procedure twice to be sure you're full. Then do the drive test.

Any leaks under the car?
No bubbles in the line from what i saw. No leaks under the car. I didn't do the purge test yesterday as i just simply filled it and that was that. After driving, though, it looks like it's clearly depleted!
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      02-18-2021, 02:34 PM   #16
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You've got to purge. It's easy and doesn't hurt anything. Don't worry about needing a battery charger hooked up as long as your battery is good.
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      02-18-2021, 05:51 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by E92TiAg335i View Post
I can tell you're not biased as you comment on a lot of threads (including most of mine) therefore i value your opinion

I'll look into the CSF intercooler. I'm assuming you guys sell those? How about Mishimoto?
We offer Mishimoto, CSF, CTS Turbo, Agency Power, Wagner, Phoenix Racing & Garrett
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      02-18-2021, 07:00 PM   #18
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E92TiAg335i i tried responding to your dm but yoour inbox is full
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      02-18-2021, 07:03 PM   #19
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Quote:
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E92TiAg335i i tried responding to your dm but yoour inbox is full
Just deleted some messages. Try again!
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      02-18-2021, 08:47 PM   #20
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Stock or this. The end.

https://www.bimmerworld.com/Intake-F...8aAhk-EALw_wcB
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      02-18-2021, 09:10 PM   #21
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Bump. How about Wagner vs Garrett?
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      02-18-2021, 09:26 PM   #22
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Quote:
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Bump. How about Wagner vs Garrett?
Both $2K. Wagner is bigger. Garrett is bar/plate but Wagner is tube/fin (better).

Mishi is $1400 and Mike@xph offers a package with CPs, TMIC and FMIC for $2K.
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