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BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / TSBs and Service Bulletin > K&N air filter
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      08-02-2021, 01:31 PM   #1
Salty B.
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K&N air filter

Been running one for awhile on N55, have the cleaning kit but not used it yet. Any downside to this filter re MAF getting oily/dirty?
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      08-03-2021, 12:20 PM   #2
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Oiled filters are generally not recommended. Stick to dry ones like AFE Pro Dry-S or make sure not to over oil yours for the exact reason you mentioned.
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      08-03-2021, 12:33 PM   #3
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Ive used the K&N oiled filter on both my F30s without issue (including current one).

The key is to be conscious of using too much oil, after cleaning. You want to fully saturate all pleats to make them red again, then stop. Let the filter dry in the sun for an hour if you want to be extra safe. Only needs to be done annually.

If you just gob on tons of oil, jam the filter back in place and go for a good rip... there is the chance the oil may pass through filter and get on the MAF sensor but most of us wouldn't do that.
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      08-03-2021, 12:48 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thejeremyman9 View Post
Oiled filters are generally not recommended. Stick to dry ones like AFE Pro Dry-S or make sure not to over oil yours for the exact reason you mentioned.
+1. And aside from racing on dirt tracks they don't work any better with a turbo engine anyway, so why mess around with them?
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      10-01-2021, 12:28 PM   #5
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From what I read, the oily filter has lower filtration efficiency than the dry one.
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      10-01-2021, 03:32 PM   #6
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This bears repeating, with feeling.

If something as inexpensive as an air filter element gave the kind of results they claim BMW would use them.
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      10-01-2021, 08:39 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
This bears repeating, with feeling.

If something as inexpensive as an air filter element gave the kind of results they claim BMW would use them.
While i 100% agree with mods that sound too good to be true or have ambitious gain claims, the one caveat is that BMW has to comply with emission standards (among other things like noise, etc). So in the case of the air filter, many models now have the additional charcol "pre filter". Not saying this means the charcol element significantly impedes airflow, just saying one needs to consider the other constraints BMW operates in aside from just HP/$.
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      10-03-2021, 07:34 PM   #8
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Everyone uses too much oil after cleaning!
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      10-10-2021, 10:15 AM   #9
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I've been running one for a few months now, no issues. It improved the throttle response a bit. Nothing major but it's definitely noticeable, just as it was on my previous cars that I used them on. I haven't put enough time on it to where I need to clean it yet, but I have done this in the past on my other cars and there was never a problem so long as you don't over oil it. I don't expect this car to be any different; it's not a space shuttle. I like the idea that these are reusable and long lasting for not much more than an oem filter.
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      11-01-2021, 10:35 AM   #10
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I just switched back to a regular filter after running the K&N for a few years and found that an annoying rough idle problem I could never track down has disappeared along with codes about MAF
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      11-05-2021, 08:48 PM   #11
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I have a MPPK air filter and I remove the charcoal prefilter that's glued on the OE filter. This is the most consistent performance from what I've found.
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      11-06-2021, 02:38 AM   #12
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I personally like foam element filters. With that being said i have an injen air intake pipe with a greddy airnix filter. I always used greddy or hks foam filters on my supra and eclipse back in the day.
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