Next Level Performance
August 30, 2026 • 10 min read
Our Verdict
The aFe Black Series Carbon Fiber cold air intake is the best-looking, best-performing bolt-on intake for the 2016–2018 BMW M2 (F87) N55 — a dyno-proven +15 whp with a sealed 100% carbon housing.
If you want the full carbon-fiber show-and-go piece, the Black Series is the pick. If you want the same power for less money, the Momentum GT Pro 5R delivers identical +15 whp / +13 lb-ft gains for around $479. Both are in stock at NLP Performance.
Shop Our Top Pick →A BMW M2 cold air intake is one of the highest-value bolt-ons you can add to the 2016–2018 M2 (F87), and the aFe Black Series Carbon Fiber CAIS is the flagship option for the N55-powered car. The factory M2 makes roughly 365 hp and 343 lb-ft from its single-turbo 3.0L inline-six, and aFe’s cold air intakes are dyno-proven to add up to +15 wheel horsepower and +13 lb-ft of torque while transforming throttle response, turbo spool, and induction sound. In our Tampa, FL shop we install and ship aFe intakes for the N55 platform constantly, so this review breaks down the Black Series against aFe’s Track Series and Momentum GT so you can pick the right one for your build and budget.
What Is the aFe Black Series Carbon Fiber Intake?
The aFe Black Series Momentum Carbon Fiber CAIS (part number 58-10004R) is a fully enclosed cold air intake system for the N55 BMW M2, built from 100% twill-weave carbon fiber — both the sealed airbox housing and the intake tube. Unlike a cheap drop-in filter, it replaces the entire factory airbox with a one-piece sealed housing that draws cool, dense air from outside the engine bay through a patent-pending filter-to-housing interface. It ships with aFe’s 7-inch Pro 5R oiled cotton-gauze filter and is dyno-proven to flow 555 CFM at 7 in. of water, roughly 10% more than the restrictive factory box.
This is the top tier of aFe’s N55 intake lineup: the carbon housing is not just a cosmetic trim panel, it is the structural airbox. That gives you the heat-shielding of a sealed system, the weight savings of carbon fiber, and a genuine engine-bay centerpiece. It fits the 2016–2018 BMW M2 (F87) along with the N55-powered 335i, 435i, and M235i.
The complete Black Series CAIS: sealed carbon housing, carbon tube, and Pro 5R filter.
How Much Power Does It Add on the N55 M2?
aFe rates its N55 M2 intakes at up to +15 wheel horsepower and +13 lb-ft of torque on a dyno — and the biggest change most owners feel is not the peak number, it is the mid-range. On the single-turbo N55, a freer-flowing intake improves turbo spool and sharpens throttle response, so the M2 pulls harder out of corners and holds boost more confidently at the top of each gear. The sealed carbon housing keeps hot underhood air away from the 7-inch conical filter, so the intake charge stays denser on a hot Florida afternoon than the factory box allows.
The Black Series flows 555 CFM at 7 in. of water, about 10% more than stock, and the free-flowing Momentum GT sealed housing outflows the OEM airbox by an average of 30%. Gains scale with the rest of your build: on a stock M2 you will feel the response and hear the extra induction growl, while on a tuned car (JB4, MHD, or Bootmod3) the intake removes a genuine airflow restriction that supports higher boost targets. Pair the intake with a supporting tune to realize the full window of gains.
Key Specifications — aFe Black Series (58-10004R)
The Black Series sealed one-piece carbon housing replaces the entire factory airbox.
Pro 5R vs Pro DRY S: Which Filter Media?
aFe offers two filter media on its M2 intakes, and the choice comes down to maximum flow versus zero-maintenance convenience. The Pro 5R is a five-layer, oiled cotton-gauze filter rated at 98.6% filtration efficiency and tuned for the highest possible airflow — ideal for street and track cars chasing every last CFM. The Pro DRY S is a three-layer synthetic media with a 99.2% efficiency rating that never needs oil; you simply wash it, let it dry, and reinstall.
Both filters are washable and reusable for the life of the vehicle, so you never buy another air filter. The Black Series and Track Series ship with the Pro 5R; the Momentum GT is offered in both a Pro 5R oiled version (around $479) and a Pro DRY S version (around $500). Our advice: choose Pro 5R if you run a tune and want peak airflow, or Pro DRY S if you would rather skip re-oiling and avoid any risk of over-oiling a MAF sensor.
aFe’s 360-degree radial-flow Pro 5R filter maximizes surface area and airflow.
aFe M2 Intake Lineup Compared
All three aFe intakes for the N55 M2 make the same rated power — up to +15 whp and +13 lb-ft — so the decision is really about housing style, looks, and price. The Black Series is the fully sealed carbon flagship, the Track Series is an open-element carbon intake for the most aggressive induction sound, and the Momentum GT Pro 5R is the value pick with a sealed housing and carbon-fiber trim cover. Here is how they line up.
| Kit | Housing | Filter | Power Gain | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| aFe Black Series Carbon CAISTop Pick | One-piece sealed carbon | Pro 5R oiled | +15 whp / +13 lb-ft | $1,099.00 |
| aFe Track Series Carbon Intake | Open-element carbon | Pro 5R oiled | +15 whp / +13 lb-ft | $773.00 |
| aFe Momentum GT Pro 5R | Sealed w/ carbon trim | Pro 5R oiled | +15 whp / +13 lb-ft | $479.00 |
The Track Series open-element design produces the most aggressive induction note.
The Momentum GT sealed housing uses a large sight window for easy filter inspection.
Installation, Fitment & What You Need to Know
Installing an aFe cold air intake on the M2 is a straightforward driveway job that takes most enthusiasts about 60 to 90 minutes with basic hand tools — no tune or ECU flash is strictly required for the intake to function. You remove the factory airbox and intake tube, transfer the mass-air-flow (MAF) sensor to the aFe tube, seat the new housing on the factory mounting points, and clamp the couplers. Take care handling the MAF sensor and, if you choose the oiled Pro 5R filter, avoid over-oiling to keep the sensor clean.
Fitment is specific to the 2016–2018 BMW M2 (F87) with the N55 engine, and the same kits fit the N55 335i, 435i, and M235i. Important: the 2019–2021 M2 Competition uses the S55 twin-turbo engine and requires a different aFe intake — do not order the N55 kit for a Competition. One more note for buyers in California: these aFe intakes are not CARB-certified, so they are marked not legal for sale or use on pollution-controlled vehicles registered in California. Everywhere else, they are a bolt-on, reversible upgrade that leaves your factory airbox intact for resale.
The sealed Black Series housing bolts to the factory mounting points for a clean OE-style fit.
Is the Black Series Worth It Over the Momentum GT?
If your priority is peak power for the lowest cost, the Momentum GT Pro 5R gives you the same rated +15 whp / +13 lb-ft for roughly half the price of the Black Series. You pay the premium on the Black Series for the fully sealed 100% carbon-fiber housing — it is lighter, it is a true show-piece under the hood, and it seals better against underhood heat than the trim-covered GT. For a clean, tastefully modded M2 where the engine bay matters, the Black Series earns its price; for a pure numbers-per-dollar build, the Momentum GT is the smart buy.
What We Like
- + Dyno-proven +15 whp / +13 lb-ft with sharper throttle response and spool
- + Fully sealed one-piece 100% twill carbon-fiber housing and tube
- + Washable, reusable Pro 5R filter you never replace
- + Reversible, OE-style bolt-on install in about 60–90 minutes
Things to Consider
- – Premium price versus the identically rated Momentum GT
- – Not CARB-certified — not legal for California registered vehicles
- – N55 M2 only; the S55 M2 Competition needs a different kit
Why Buy Your M2 Intake From NLP Performance
At NLP Performance in Tampa, FL, we specialize in the N55 and S55 BMW platforms and stock the full aFe intake lineup for the M2, 335i, 435i, and M235i. Our team can confirm fitment for your exact year and engine before you order, help you match the right filter media to your tune, and ship nationwide. Every intake on this page is currently in stock with an extra 10% off, and we back your purchase with real product support — not just a checkout page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much horsepower does an aFe cold air intake add to a BMW M2?
An aFe cold air intake adds up to +15 wheel horsepower and +13 lb-ft of torque to the N55-powered 2016–2018 BMW M2, per aFe’s dyno testing. The biggest real-world improvement is sharper throttle response, quicker turbo spool, and a louder induction note; gains grow further when paired with a supporting tune.
Does the aFe M2 intake require a tune?
No, an aFe cold air intake does not require a tune to install or run safely on the M2. The kit reuses the factory MAF sensor and works with the stock ECU. A tune (JB4, MHD, or Bootmod3) is recommended if you want to unlock the maximum airflow benefit, but it is optional.
Will an aFe N55 intake fit the M2 Competition?
No. These aFe intakes fit the 2016–2018 BMW M2 (F87) with the N55 engine only. The 2019–2021 M2 Competition uses the twin-turbo S55 engine and requires a different aFe intake designed for that platform. Always match the kit to your engine code.
Pro 5R or Pro DRY S — which aFe filter is better?
Choose the Pro 5R oiled cotton-gauze filter (98.6% efficiency) for maximum airflow on a street or track car, or the Pro DRY S synthetic filter (99.2% efficiency) if you want a no-oil, wash-and-reinstall filter. Both are washable and reusable for the life of the vehicle, so you never buy another filter.
How long does it take to install an aFe intake on an M2?
Most M2 owners install an aFe cold air intake in about 60 to 90 minutes using basic hand tools. The job involves removing the factory airbox, transferring the MAF sensor to the aFe tube, and clamping the new housing to the OE mounting points. It is fully reversible for resale.
Is the aFe Black Series worth it over the cheaper Momentum GT?
The aFe Black Series is worth it if you want the fully sealed 100% carbon-fiber housing as an engine-bay centerpiece and the best heat isolation. Both intakes are rated at the same +15 whp / +13 lb-ft, so if you only care about power per dollar, the Momentum GT delivers identical gains for roughly half the price.
Ready to Wake Up Your BMW M2 (F87)?
Shop the full aFe cold air intake lineup for the N55 M2 and thousands more performance parts at NLP Performance.
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