Originally Posted by bdoviack

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.

Originally Posted by bdoviack

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.

Originally Posted by Blobby

How often do people their clean their K&N's.

Originally Posted by pjinca

Here we go with another "if it's so good why isn't it OEM" argument. All those manufacturers listed are also businesses, and as such exist to make a profit. Therefore, no, they don't use the ABSOLUTE best possible parts and components everywhere, rather they use whatever meets their design criteria for the cheapest price to maximize profits. They are not going to spend the extra $$ on a filter when a paper one does the job and is stupid cheap for them to buy.

Far more interesting is what they use in their race cars: "Lifetime air filter that is washable and re-oilable. BMC F1 air filters are original equipment for the Ferrari Formula 1 team and Ferrari GT race teams and Porsche Motorsports, Mercedes Benz F1 and GT race teams and AUDI motorsports team. Quality is unsurpassed at BMC F1 air filters."

Guess what, Ferrari does use a reusable air filter in their F1 cars