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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Powertrain and Drivetrain Discussions > NA Engine (non-turbo) / Drivetrain / Exhaust Modifications > K&N air filter..worth it?



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      03-24-2006, 02:09 PM   #1
BellasBmw
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K&N air filter..worth it?

I was thinking about going and purchasing one.. Ive heard it increases power due to the air flow..etc. I have about 8000 miles on my car, should i wait, or what the heck.. go and get it?
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      03-24-2006, 02:14 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BellasBmw
I was thinking about going and purchasing one.. Ive heard it increases power due to the air flow..etc. I have about 8000 miles on my car, should i wait, or what the heck.. go and get it?
I could be wrong, but I heard that these air filters put out such a small power increase (<1hp) that you wouldn't even notice the extra power.
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      03-24-2006, 02:31 PM   #3
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yeah, it's not really a performance mod. just means you don't have to replace your filter with a disposable one.
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      03-24-2006, 02:32 PM   #4
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is it worth the money.. i mean will i get a noticiable amount of power?
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      03-24-2006, 02:38 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BellasBmw
is it worth the money.. i mean will i get a noticiable amount of power?
No to both
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      03-24-2006, 02:42 PM   #6
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thank you. now I won't worry about this either.
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      03-24-2006, 02:46 PM   #7
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http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/upgrade/Air_filter.htm

read the part by jim conforti.
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      03-24-2006, 02:46 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BellasBmw
I was thinking about going and purchasing one.. Ive heard it increases power due to the air flow..etc. I have about 8000 miles on my car, should i wait, or what the heck.. go and get it?
Truthfully Bella, I installed it into my car and the only difference I felt was in the sound, which btw sounds awesome!!(I also removed the silencer tube attached to the airbox) The drop-in K&N really wont give you a HP increase and also remeber that the Charcoal filter is right behind it too..If you remove that filter also then you'll feel a little power increase(I removed mine already)
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      03-24-2006, 02:49 PM   #9
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Not worth the money. You will never notice the power increase as it is so minor it's negligible.

Even though you don't have to replace it with another filter, it uses the ancient technology of cleaning the filter and then re-lubing it with a special kind of oil. I wish I didn't get the K&N and just stuck with disposables. Hell, the cleaning/lubing is not even worth my precious time anymore compared to buying those cheap $15-20 filters.
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      03-24-2006, 02:53 PM   #10
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They are better than stock air filters, but BMW air filters are good ones to start with. I would change the filter anyway because they are cheap and are reusable. I put one in my Jeep, I can't tell a difference, but I satified knowing that the filter is better than stock.

Check out K&Ns website for airflow charts

Last edited by england1987; 03-24-2006 at 04:41 PM..
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      03-24-2006, 04:12 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by england1987
They are better than stock air filters, but BMW air filters are good ones to start with. I would change the filter anyway because they are cheap and are reusable. I put one in my Jeep, I can't tell a difference, but I satified knowing that the filter is better than stock.
If what you say, "...better than stock..." is true, please supply data.

Thanks.
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      03-24-2006, 04:39 PM   #12
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K&N filters allow more air and also more dirt through-so they are not "better" than stock from that perspective. They do (marginally) improve performance, but require regular cleaning and replacing at higher intervals to keep the performance levels up.

For this reason I have never used one. If you want a (relatively) cheap performance enhancer get an Eisenman (or equivalent) exhaust
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      03-24-2006, 05:02 PM   #13
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Another vote for a waste of money.
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      03-24-2006, 09:15 PM   #14
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I have it in my wife's Expedition and it did two things... Jack and S..T, and Jack just left town. I initially thought I was getting better mpg but I think it was my desire to justify the $50 I spent. I cleaned it once and found that the glue that holds the sealing ring to the filter was not good so it was not creating a good seal. After cleaning, I added oil and later found out that I added too much :mad: Summary, K&N filters suck and will never buy them again.
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      03-24-2006, 09:30 PM   #15
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more airflow.....translates to VRRRRRR....engine sound....

but you gotta clean it like every 6 months.....then oil it down....

i personally think it's worth it.......
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      03-25-2006, 12:19 AM   #16
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But wouldn't such an air filter be more of an advantage to say...the mustang?
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      03-25-2006, 09:52 AM   #17
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I bought one when I first got my truck, so I can't really vouch for the before & after power. It's mostly been handy from the perspective of not having to change the air filter as often. And as far as the claims go of letting more dirt in, I'm not sure I agree. Seems like the oil stayed very clean for quite a while with my truck.
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      03-25-2006, 10:27 AM   #18
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OK...no matter what, the K&N flows better, which will mean some increase- at the least, an increase in throttle response- the tradeoff is filtering is not as good, and you got to take care of it once in a while.

It's the same as buying a suspension- you'll increase handling but tradeoff is ride comfort.

K&N didn't make their name commonplace amoung all auto enthusiasts by selling crap filters.
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      03-25-2006, 10:55 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BellasBmw
is it worth the money.. i mean will i get a noticiable amount of power?
Miss BellasBmw,

If you opt for KN filter, you may as well use your old panty hose or stockings. Trust me, your hose will do a better job than KN junk.

1. No cost to you.
2. Less restriction than KN filter, but just as good as KN to let all particles into your BMW.
3. You don't need to wash the filter. I am sure you have plenty supply of stockings.

All jokings aside. KN filters are for race cars and not for consumer cars. If they are so good, why there is not a single car manufacture uses KN filters on their production cars.

Well..... This is a big country, suckers are born every day.

Cheers.
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      03-25-2006, 11:20 AM   #20
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M3ti Compact wrote in part, "...K&N didn't make their name commonplace amoung all auto enthusiasts by selling crap filters."

Correct on the first part. The purveyors of K & N filters made their name for 1930s technology commonplace through very effective advertising and product placement.
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      03-25-2006, 11:21 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by underDAWG
Miss BellasBmw,

If you opt for KN filter, you may as well use your old panty hose or stockings. Trust me, your hose will do a better job than KN junk.

1. No cost to you.
2. Less restriction than KN filter, but just as good as KN to let all particles into your BMW.
3. You don't need to wash the filter. I am sure you have plenty supply of stockings.

All jokings aside. KN filters are for race cars and not for consumer cars. If they are so good, why there is not a single car manufacture uses KN filters on their production cars.

Well..... This is a big country, suckers are born every day.

Cheers.
IF someone hasnt yet already.. but posting a DIY would be great. Maybe i can try to use my old pantyhose.. hmm..
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      03-31-2006, 02:12 PM   #22
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Bella get an HKS neon green honeycomb filter made of micro foam. I felt the accelerator pedal less heavy and easier for the engine to breathe plus I heard the engine roar more enthusiasticlly. It really didn't feel like the car was much faster.
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