Best cold air intake?

[donnyonee]

Originally Posted by babybenz

proto types have to start some where

a better pic of the whole unit would be nice.

[silverbrabus]

Check this out -- emailed AEM and got a reply. Here's hoping we may soon have another option -- one that actually has some engineering development behind the design.


From: Bob [mailto:xxxxx@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 11, 2009 12:28 PM
To: AEM Sales
Subject: product application request

Do you guys take requests? Recently purchased a 09 Smart ForTwo. The only intakes on the worldwide market for these things are drop-in filters and a couple of "garage-built" units sold on the forums. Any possibility you guys would consider developing something for the Smart? Thanks, Bob

From: Joji Luz
Subject: RE: product application request
To: "'xxxx@yahoo.com'"
Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 12:19 PM

Bob,

Your request has been sent to R & D, and as soon as I get a reply I will let you know.

Thank you,
Joji Luz
AEM Intake Systems
1800 992 3000 X 4524
www.aemintakes.com

[jeffandpamsmith]

Do these things void your warrentee? I know the Breathless or KN filter change alone won't, but how about if you do the 50 cent mod also (seems silly to change the filter and not to). And does everyone save their parts and go thru the hassle of reinstalling the factory stuff for service? I read where it is a bear to get the factory box off - I assume its just as hard to get it back on. The 50 cent mod looks permanent, like you can't go back to stock but I'm not sure.

I bought an aftermarket warrentee and don't want to screw myself. Smart did confirm the "post catalytic convert" exhausts do not, but I didn't ask about air intakes.

[silverbrabus]

Originally Posted by jeffandpamsmith

Do these things void your warranty?

Yes and no.

Yes, if failure can be directly attributed to the intake, otherwise no.
After market air intake WARNING - Club smart Car

Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)

This federal law regulates warranties for the protection of consumers. The essence of this law concerning aftermarket auto parts is that a vehicle manufacturer may not condition a written or implied warranty on the consumers using parts or services which are identified by brand, trade, or corporate name (such as the vehicle makers brand) unless the parts or service are provided free of charge. The law means that the use of an aftermarket part alone is not cause for denying the warranty. However, the law's protection does not extend to aftermarket parts in situations where such parts actually caused the damage being claimed under the warranty. Further, consumers are advised to be aware of any specific terms or conditions stated in the warranty which may result in its being voided. The law states in relevant part:

“No warrantor of a consumer product may condition his written or implied warranty of such product on the consumers using, in connection with such product, any article or service (other than article or service provided without charge under the terms of the warranty) which is identified by brand, trade or corporate name....” (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)).

[ciscocali]

The intake does not void waranty. It will depend on the dealer that you go to. When my car was at 23,500 miles, I decided to go to the dealer because of a transmission problem. My car has a Cold Air Intake and an aftermarket exhaust. The dealer said that they needed to replace my clutch. Since I was not at 24,000 miles, warranty covered it.

So I have a new, upgraded clutch which I did not pay anything for. They didn't charge labor. I paid nothing for the whole visit.

Cisco

[Wdhitch]

Originally Posted by donnyonee

a better pic of the whole unit would be nice.

I have a feeling he might like to make a profit from these... better pics would show too much of the design... The guy has actually designed a CAI that is what is says... I don't blame him for leaving a couple of views out.

[SmartMadness]

Originally Posted by silverbrabus

Yes and no.

Yes, if failure can be directly attributed to the intake, otherwise no.
After market air intake WARNING - Club smart Car

Just an FYI...

This is not the same intake that we offer and to keep it all in perspective... There have been 100's and 100's of intakes sold by us and many other vendors made by a number of manufacturers. Out of all those there have been a handful of warranty issues. Most happened because the filter was dirty or simply loose and came off due to the position pipe on some of the intakes.

The very first intake we offered had a design that pointed down and would draw air from below and did not have a shield. We worked together with the manufacturer and designed a shield to prevent any chance of moisture to be sucked up in to the intake.

I believe there were 2 or 3 users that had their light come on. Once they cleaned the filter the light went off. We have never had a customer experience what the owner in Canada experienced.


Shortly afterward we asked for the intake to be redesigned to no longer point down and at the same time take advantage of the factory side vent. A shield was added to help guide the air to the filter and since then the intake has worked great.

We have had an issue with a couple of the shields having a small tab breaking off that held the shield in place causing a rattle. This did not effect the function of the intake or cause any mechanical issues. New shields (3) were sent out right away and the tab was redesigned.

We continue to work with all our suppliers to make sure that products we offer stands up in the long run. If there is ever an issue we do our best to make sure that the manufacturer and us stand behind the product.

We had two cases where a manufacturer produced a product that failed and would not stand behind it. We then made a decision to drop the line and offered our customers other options to resolve the problems.

Now back to the intake....

You do not have to do any modifications to your car and a dealer can still void your warranty. Try to drive your car and not replace your oil and filter for 20,000-30,000 miles and see what happens. Same is true for a stock air filter. If you do not replace it in time, it will clog and eventually cause damage which will void your warranty.

If you decide to get an intake make sure you periodically check the filter, clean it when it gets dirty and you should be fine.

We sell the intake we offer to dealers all across the US along with our Smart Madness Springs, Sprint Boosters, MDC Cruise Controls and many other items. This is a Fact!

A number of them even install wheels, body kits and some of them have even installed Vertical Doors for our customers.

Sorry for the loooooong post.

As with any modification that alters your car from stock. If you do not feel comfortable with the mod, don't do it. I have modified every car I have ever owned, but do not recommend this to everyone.

If we can ever be of assistance please do not hesitate to call us at 562-961-6800.

Have a great weekend!

Boris