[Skyhigh]

Spend your money for something else.
You are most certainly not going to achieve any positive results (on a stock engine!). You are however likely to increase the wear of the engine due to particle size.

Believe me (no, believe the numerous tests done on different vehicles!), your stock engine is getting all the air it needs with a stock/classic filter!
If you are to tune it - different story.

[F30104]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Spend your money for something else.
You are most certainly not going to achieve any positive results (on a stock engine!). You are however likely to increase the wear of the engine due to particle size.

Believe me (no, believe the numerous tests done on different vehicles!), your stock engine is getting all the air it needs with a stock/classic filter!
If you are to tune it - different story.

Thanks! I actually just ordered my first tuner! The DINANTRONICS Sport Performance Tuner!!! Would I be okay with the stock filter? Thanks.

SKU: D440-0010

[Skyhigh]

Since that is just a plug-in box that fools the ECU and not really an ECU tuning - you'll be just fine. Get your car washed and waxed for the price of a K&N. You will gain more from that.

[JamesWWIII]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Get your car washed and waxed for the price of a K&N. You will gain more from that.

+1

[KGB_123_99]

I had a K&N on my 1.8T Jetta many many years ago. The only thing I noticed with it is that the diverter valve sound was amplified. I didn't see any performance or mileage gains.

Cleaning and oiling the filter was a pain and I was always worried about putting too much oil and fouling my MAF. I don't think I would go that route again.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Since that is just a plug-in box that fools the ECU and not really an ECU tuning - you'll be just fine. Get your car washed and waxed for the price of a K&N. You will gain more from that.

So whats your advice for the hundreds (if not thousands) of owners who opted for a $400 aftermarket intake?

Seriously. Im interested!

[sspade]

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

I had a K&N on my 1.8T Jetta many many years ago. The only thing I noticed with it is that the diverted valve sound was amplified. I didn't see any performance or mileage gains.

Cleaning and oiling the filter was a pain and I was always worried about putting too much oil and fouling my MAF. I don't think I would go that route again.

What route did you choose with your Bimmer?

Please dont say you bought an aftermarket intake system like the rest of the fools that drank the cool aid.

Be honest!

[KGB_123_99]

Originally Posted by sspade

What route did you choose with your Bimmer?

Please dont say you bought an aftermarket intake system like the rest of the fools that drank the cool aid.

Be honest!

I am running stock. My point was that K&N is not worth the money in my opinion.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

I am running stock. My point was that K&N is not worth the money in my opinion.

Thats a fair stance. I agree and clearly stated earlier that there is no noticeable performance increase to be expected. But for a fifty spot, I tossed one in for the sake of it... knowing that it flows better than stock and also is essentially reusable for the life of the vehicle. So... after you've replaced your paper filter three times (which would be only 15k miles for me) - you've already spent more than a reusable filter costs. Just sayin. To each their own.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by sspade

Thats a fair stance. I agree and clearly stated earlier that there is no noticeable performance increase to be expected. But for a fifty spot, I tossed one in for the sake of it... knowing that it flows better than stock and also is essentially reusable for the life of the vehicle. So... after you've replaced your paper filter three times (which would be only 15k miles for me) - you've already spent more than a reusable filter costs. Just sayin. To each their own.

Id like to correct this:

If I were running a stock filter, Id swap every other oil change which would take me to 30k before I reached the cost of the K&N.

[John in VA]

If you buy an air filter from FCP Euro it will be the last one you ever pay for with their Lifetime Replacement Guarantee.

[Skyhigh]

Originally Posted by sspade

So whats your advice for the hundreds (if not thousands) of owners who opted for a $400 aftermarket intake?

Seriously. Im interested!

Post factum advice is not a useful advice, is it? I just hope that those hundreds (I seriously doubt thousands) who did that with a stock engine did it consciously just to change the intake sound or for the looks. I wouldn't do it, but that's a personal choice.

Originally Posted by sspade

Thats a fair stance. I agree and clearly stated earlier that there is no noticeable performance increase to be expected. But for a fifty spot, I tossed one in for the sake of it... knowing that it flows better than stock and also is essentially reusable for the life of the vehicle. So... after you've replaced your paper filter three times (which would be only 15k miles for me) - you've already spent more than a reusable filter costs. Just sayin. To each their own.

The above has been discussed at least half as often as the topic petrol vs diesel (and that's a lot)
Higher air-flow possibility (although unused on a stock engine) through identical air intake area --> less filtration --> more wear for the engine in the long run.
That's saving money on the wrong end. Remove the filter altogether and you will save another 50 bucks if that's all you are after. At least until you get to an engine overhaul.
However buying a BMW and saving money on engine filters... epic fail.

Detail your cars guys, that brings more PS for the unaided eye than a sport filter.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by sspade

Id like to correct this:

If I were running a stock filter, Id swap every other oil change which would take me to 30k before I reached the cost of the K&N.

Its not about cost on a $60K car its about the dirt the K&N lets through for no measurable performance increase compared to a stock filter.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

Its not about cost on a $60K car its about the dirt the K&N lets through for no measurable performance increase compared to a stock filter.

For you and the rest of the haters to watch:

I'll continue running my K&N knowing that it flows considerably better that your paper filter and is saving me money over the life of my vehicle. Currently at 58k miles and will be running this car into the ground. Im certain I will achieve 200k + due to meticulous maintenance practices.

[sspade]

Another video for the haters:

(in case we had any doubt about the quality of these products, from a manufacturing standpoint)

[Skyhigh]

Very selective videos....
Enough said I feel - whoever wants to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages can google for tests and evidence Very old topic indeed, plenty of tests.
And if you are really after saving money from essential consumables - you bought the wrong car.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Skyhigh

Very selective videos....
Enough said I feel - whoever wants to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages can google for tests and evidence Very old topic indeed, plenty of tests.
And if you are really after saving money from essential consumables - you bought the wrong car.

Haters gone hate.

Not really that selective of videos... literally first two that came up after I googled.

If you think bench testing is more accurate than a Blackstone chemical analysis then you have bigger problems than this argument. Real world results always trump bench testing. Im glad I could teach you something, thats what communities like these are all about!

[Skyhigh]

Don't worry about it - I have done that research years ago and concluded accordingly, as plenty of others.
If you are looking for substantiation of your decision to make you feel good about it - I am sure you will find enough as well. Enjoy your K&N

P.s. did you know they sell washable aircon filters as well? claimed to be healthier, provide better airflow and you can wash them! And they are environmentally friendly as well!

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by sspade

Haters gone hate.

Why do you hate standard non K&W air cleaners?

Must be hard for to just enjoy the big bucks savings you are getting & understand other people don't agree with you at the same time.

BTW Ebay has a great deal on lifetime 1939/1940 Buick oil bath air cleaners. Just buy once & change the oil on occasion.



You can even upgrade it with a 1953 Chevy insert.



All very very high tech

[JamesWWIII]

Hey look, I can find videos too...

Basically, high-flow oiled filters and CAIs are only good for the sound they make (if you’re into that). In a production car they don’t give any noticeable (~10%) performance gains, and anyone who tells you different is either trying to justify their own investment in the product, or works for one of the companies that makes them.

If a person states they bought a reusable oiled filter for the cost savings, I’d question why someone who can’t afford to replace an air filter as a part of regular maintenance bought a BMW in the first place. I’d be far more concerned about the cost of potential engine damage over the long term.

[bavarianride]

The BMW logo Mahle engine air filter is pretty good, just change every 2 years/30k miles or whenever it is dirty.

For $50 the K&N filter(plus $15 cleaning kit?) is a ripoff.

[BMWinAZ]

This is for all the aftermarket filter fans. My 2013 f30 335i came with an afe dry air filter insert in the oem air box. Since I am not a fan of non-oem air filters I replaced it quickly with the correct oem filter. The afe filter is in very good condition since the car only had 29k miles when I bought it and since I am also slightly ocd, I cleaned the filter thoroughly according to manufacturer's guidelines. Anyone who wants it, send me a message, as long as you live in the continental US and send me $20 for shipping and handling and it's yours.