KN air filter vs OEM

pinco000 · 11-30-2014, 02:31 PM

Hi guys, can you share some knowledge/experience with KN filters v OEM? All of my friends are telling me to go for KN, but none of them owns a BMW

Thanks

Sensible_ · 11-30-2014, 02:54 PM

OEM all the way.

I've seen 0 improvement with K&N.

I'm sure it's a cleverly marketed piece of equipment which relies heavily on the placebo effect.

Ess · 11-30-2014, 03:23 PM

Had a K&N panel filter on my old 207 GTI. Couldn't tell any difference whatsoever compared with stock, other than it was a pain to clean.

Dan-danGT · 11-30-2014, 03:47 PM

I have used a k&n and a pipercross. Before I fitted it tthe air flow meter was clean as a whistle! But after about 6-8k it had dust on the inside of the air flow meter which should have Been filtered out!

From then on I use oem never going to try and panel filter ever again!

Jules59 · 12-06-2014, 02:19 PM

stick to OEM. Modern inlet systems are very good. IMO you will gain nothing with a K&N these days - I used to be fully sold on them 30 old years ago but not now.

Phil325i · 12-07-2014, 04:45 AM

Odd then, that BMW supply a K&N as an approved accessory for fitting with the BMW Performance air intake...

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Jules59 · 12-07-2014, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Odd then, that BMW supply a K&N as an approved accessory for fitting with the BMW Performance air intake...

Attachment 1127048

How much extra bhp are BMW quoting for this accessory ?

Tom Droze · 12-07-2014, 12:07 PM

I'm not a fan of K&N so I fitted my car with an AFE dry element air filter. The primary issue with the K&N has to do with the variation in how much oil is applied when cleaning the air filter. If too little oil is applied it becomes substandard from a filtering standpoint, if too much oil is applied, you risk damaging the mass airflow sensor. So it becomes a question of, is a potential two to three horsepower gain worth the risk associated with using a K&N air filter?

By the way, my Dinan ram-air intake came with a K&N air filter and it's sitting unused in the box!

pinco000 · 12-07-2014, 02:56 PM

I got the oem fitted guys, thanks

Soul_Glo · 12-09-2014, 01:37 AM

This can be debated all day long and probably comes down to individual preference and opinion. I found that the filter alone did not do much but when it was coupled with the Rev Motoring pipe it was like having a performance induction system. On the rolling road in Surrey we noted a slight gain (cannot find graph). Think it was 4-10hp... but it could be felt slightly. Without the hose fitted the gain was minimal, 1-2hp. Personally, I think the filter works a bit better after 500 miles or so. I have always used K&N over the last 10 years and never really had any problems. Apart from on my turbo charged Micra in 2001 as I did not use mesh in the grille a random stone hit the 57i kit filter some how and made a hole through the cotton! In a box though I doubt that would happen.

11-30-2014, 02:31 PM	#1
pinco000 Major 165 Rep 1,059 Posts Drives: F48 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: London iTrader: (0)	KN air filter vs OEM Hi guys, can you share some knowledge/experience with KN filters v OEM? All of my friends are telling me to go for KN, but none of them owns a BMW Thanks
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11-30-2014, 02:54 PM	#2
Sensible_ Colonel 529 Rep 2,503 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: London iTrader: (1)	OEM all the way. I've seen 0 improvement with K&N. I'm sure it's a cleverly marketed piece of equipment which relies heavily on the placebo effect.
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11-30-2014, 03:23 PM	#3
Ess Major 79 Rep 1,009 Posts Drives: E92 335d Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midlands iTrader: (0)	Had a K&N panel filter on my old 207 GTI. Couldn't tell any difference whatsoever compared with stock, other than it was a pain to clean. __________________ Ess 2009 E92 335d M-Sport 1990 E30 2.8 m52b28 conversion
	Appreciate 1 Quote

11-30-2014, 03:47 PM	#4
Dan-danGT Captain 33 Rep 650 Posts Drives: E90 330d M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Nottinghamshire iTrader: (0)	I have used a k&n and a pipercross. Before I fitted it tthe air flow meter was clean as a whistle! But after about 6-8k it had dust on the inside of the air flow meter which should have Been filtered out! From then on I use oem never going to try and panel filter ever again!
	Appreciate 1 Quote

12-06-2014, 02:19 PM	#5
Jules59 Lieutenant 56 Rep 540 Posts Drives: Still searching ... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wilds of Warwickshire iTrader: (0)	stick to OEM. Modern inlet systems are very good. IMO you will gain nothing with a K&N these days - I used to be fully sold on them 30 old years ago but not now. __________________ Jules
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12-07-2014, 04:45 AM	#6
Phil325i Brigadier General 616 Rep 3,194 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	Odd then, that BMW supply a K&N as an approved accessory for fitting with the BMW Performance air intake... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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12-07-2014, 12:07 PM	#8
Tom Droze Major 413 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 328i (e92) Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Scottsdale, Arizona iTrader: (0)	I'm not a fan of K&N so I fitted my car with an AFE dry element air filter. The primary issue with the K&N has to do with the variation in how much oil is applied when cleaning the air filter. If too little oil is applied it becomes substandard from a filtering standpoint, if too much oil is applied, you risk damaging the mass airflow sensor. So it becomes a question of, is a potential two to three horsepower gain worth the risk associated with using a K&N air filter? By the way, my Dinan ram-air intake came with a K&N air filter and it's sitting unused in the box!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

12-07-2014, 02:56 PM	#9
pinco000 Major 165 Rep 1,059 Posts Drives: F48 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I got the oem fitted guys, thanks
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12-09-2014, 01:37 AM	#10
Soul_Glo Major General 13347 Rep 7,484 Posts Drives: G20 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Manhattan, NYC iTrader: (1)	This can be debated all day long and probably comes down to individual preference and opinion. I found that the filter alone did not do much but when it was coupled with the Rev Motoring pipe it was like having a performance induction system. On the rolling road in Surrey we noted a slight gain (cannot find graph). Think it was 4-10hp... but it could be felt slightly. Without the hose fitted the gain was minimal, 1-2hp. Personally, I think the filter works a bit better after 500 miles or so. I have always used K&N over the last 10 years and never really had any problems. Apart from on my turbo charged Micra in 2001 as I did not use mesh in the grille a random stone hit the 57i kit filter some how and made a hole through the cotton! In a box though I doubt that would happen.
	Appreciate 0 Quote