ver time K&N will pay for itself being able to clean/ re-charge. Where as the Mann is a disposable Paper filter which needs thrown away and replaced every 10K miles or so depending on driving conditions etc.

 

I have had my K&N for 4 years now with no issues, as long as you follow the cleaning/recharging instructions and don't over oil you should not have any CEL issues. The reason the K&N is so much more than the Mann is because the K*N is a reusable filter where as the Mann is a disposable filter. Also with the K&N you may see a slight improvement with mpg.

 

More to the point: If we are driving BMW's, is $46 really that much of a concern? I'll be the first one to point out when a mod doesn't make sense for the price (see: CIC retrofit), but an air filter that will never need replacing AND gives a little better performance as well? Seems a no brainer to me.

 

i agree

 

I agree pjinca. This is my first Air filter replacement (all previous changes were done by Dealer). I am going to get K&N. I just wanted to hear every opinion and to understand replace vs Cleaning / Recharging. I always thought replacing is better (thought its not true all the times) as cleaning may not be perfect.

 

Oh, when done properly, cleaning the K&N is way better than replacing a paper filter. As others have said, you have to watch how much oil you put on the filter once it's clean and you have to wipe off any excess and clean the MAF sensor (total maybe a 20 min job). Other than that you are good to go. I have had reusable filters in every car I've had for the last 8-10 years, I have yet to have a problem.

 

I used to put K&N's into my vehicles and then realized that they don't do much and in fact may do harm. Just think about this logically:

The world's best performance car manufacturers spend millions trying to eke out every last ounce of performance. From carbon-fiber body panels, ceramic brakes to titanium lug nuts, don't you think Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini would spend an additional $50 for a part that's supposed to add performance? Now with ever-increasing mileage standards being imposed, you would think a K&N would be a good idea even if they made it for one-time use. Yet today (as far as I know) no top-notch manufacturer uses K&N.

Secondly, look online for the oil analysis results people are getting back that use K&N's. Many report high silica content (i.e. sand) in their oil. Don't ask me, just Google it yourself.

Lastly, the cost savings are minimal if non-existent. If you factor in the initial cost of the filter plus the oil to "recharge" it, maybe you'll be close to 100,000 miles when you break even? Not sure how many of us will have our cars that long and can yet find the K&N filter oil after so many years.

K&N does have great marketing yet so do those "Horsepower in a bottle" liquids. I still cringe when I hear Carroll Shelby promoting that one particular brand.

I do realize this is an endless debate and there probably is no correct answer. Just thought I'd mention my perspective and experience.

 

I installed a K&N after reading many forum posts that recommended them. Purchased for good price from Amazon.

 

I have an extra k&n filter . Never Opened. Inbox me if interested. . Cheap.

 

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