K & N air filters -- your thoughts on using them

[rocky]

Anybody replace the charcoal air filters in the f10 M5 with the K & N air filter? if so, any improvement in performance, mpg, sound? thx

[isugoo]

You gain quite a lot from getting rid of Charcoal Filters. As it's somewhat painful DIY (damn you, #7 bolt), people tend to replace air filters (BMC) same time. Check this one out.

http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=797677

[bronch]

Originally Posted by rocky

Anybody replace the charcoal air filters in the f10 M5 with the K & N air filter? if so, any improvement in performance, mpg, sound? thx

I was going to say that they're 2 sets of filters the charcoal and then the air filters and people remove the charcoal filters completely and think that provided the most change. There are a few threads here , but most of the gains seem to be subjective like "feels like it breathes easier, etc..."

Originally Posted by isugoo

... (damn you, #7 bolt)...

Yeah, that looks a little sketchy. I'd no doubt drop the bolt into the pit of despair. What did you use to get it?

[boots]

Anytime you get rid of stock filters and replace them w a quality one you gain.

[gblansten]

Great filters. You can easily get -1.5 to 1.5 hp gains from them. Sure they can mess up your MAF sensor and damage your car but the performance gains are undeniable. Just ask anyone with a modded Civic from 1995 and they will attest to the ferocious power increases.

[exmowner]

A k&N drop in can damage your maf and possibly your engine? Please tell me your joking?

[gblansten]

I'm always surprised that K&N filters aren't OEM since the performance gains are so intense.

[bronch]

Originally Posted by gblansten

...You can easily get -1.5 to 1.5 hp gains from them. Sure they can mess up your MAF sensor and damage your car but the performance gains are undeniable...

LOL! You GFR and electrolyte geeks are funny...

[Netwon]

Originally Posted by exmowner

A k&N drop in can damage your maf and possibly your engine? Please tell me your joking?

He is not joking. Anytime you filter a gas you create a pressure differential. The only way to decrease this is to make the filter less restrictive. K&N (all oiled filters) combat being "more open/less restrictive" by using oil to capture and hold dirt.

Very few people take the time to properly clean, inspect, re-oil and re-install. If done properly this is best done overnight. 12h+ with drying timerequired.

Too much oil on the filter, filter oil can be carried down the intake path to MAF, too little oil and you aren't filtering everything you should. There is no easy test for an individual to see too much/too little oil.

To the OP: Remove the carbon filters downstream of the air filters and you should be good to go. The stock air filters are large area and appear to be high quality.

[Spinny02]

Had the before I put the Dinan intake on. They worked good. I was happy with them. As mentioned just make sure they are not over oiled. Mine were not but i still took a paper towel and blotted them before installing. @boots has them now =).

[boots]

And they work perfectly with no problems. As mentioned clean and oil properly for best results. I've run air raid on my Yukon since day one of 2006 in my Yukon and had no problems

[Netwon]

Originally Posted by boots

And they work perfectly with no problems. As mentioned clean and oil properly for best results. I've run air raid on my Yukon since day one of 2006 in my Yukon and had no problems

Just a note. In '06 your Yukon uses a MAP sensor not a 2 wire hot MAF sensor.

[stealth.pilot]

Personally I wouldn't bother. I did this on my 2013 M5 and the difference was imperceptible behind the wheel. You only notice it as a fraction of a second in a quarter mile drag race - but you can't feel it.

[thebishman]

The gains will be minimal if in fact there are any gains, and the risk of oiling the MAF sensor is real. If the MAF sensor is 'ruined' by excess oil and needs to be replaced it won't be covered under warranty.

[boots]

Thanks for the info Newton. I didn't know that. I've always used aftermarket filters so for me it's a plus. Use the force. It will guide you to your ultimate decision.

[Spinny02]

Originally Posted by boots

Thanks for the info Newton. I didn't know that. I've always used aftermarket filters so for me it's a plus. Use the force. It will guide you to your ultimate decision.

[Erik K.]

MAF's will only 'die' because of useing to much cleaning oil and not drying the filter after cleaning.
That's why i never clean the K&N filter, i just buy a new one if necessary.

My experience with the K&N replacement filter is very good. A few weeks ago i dyno'd my car, BMW e36 M3 3.2, with different 3 air filters.
First the BMC air filter, second original BMW filter, third the K&N.
The K&N filter was the most used filter (+/-20000km) so the dirt on it, BMC and the original were brand new.

I was very suprised the K&N filter deliverd >4HP at the wheels more compared with the others!
The K&N had the worst scenario beacuse the most dirt on it and because tested as the third one so the most disadvantage of heat. And still beating the others by far!

Also a surprise the BMC deliverd sligthly less compared with the original filter.

Ofcourse this is with my car, maybe with an M5 or other car the BMC filter's can deliver higher figures compared with original.


RWHP:


BMC: 290,2
K&N: 294,8
Original: 290,7

[rafaele92]

I Used K&N in all of my cars .

If you clean it often , u wont have any problems with it.

In my M5 , I didnt Notice much difference , since im gonna put downpipes and remap , i thought a Air Filter was needed.

in my Mini GP , K&N made alot of difference on the SOUND !

go for K&N , never goes wrong .

[EuroKar]

Just don't over oil them.
That's the biggest mistake I see.
Other then that, just remove the charcoal filter as others have mentioned and you'll see improved performance.

[boots]

Aftermarket filters flow better than stock filters. KN are very good ones to use. As Spinny said I'm using the ones he had on his car and after approximately 10k mikes no problems what so ever. And I refuse to baby this car.

[rocky]

so the safest route would be to remove the charcoal filter and just leave the origina air filter in place..... the next move would be to take out the original air filter and replace it with the K & N. Am I on track here fellas?

[Spinny02]

Originally Posted by rocky

so the safest route would be to remove the charcoal filter and just leave the origina air filter in place..... the next move would be to take out the original air filter and replace it with the K & N. Am I on track here fellas?

its a real PITA to open the air boxes. if your going to open them whey not do both at the same time?