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K&N air filter
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, MO
E55 AMG
K&N air filter
I've searched the threads and have found some discussion on K&N air filters. I've seen positive responses and some responses that say they aren't good on a supercharged motor because the let too much dirt and grit pass through.
If you use one, what are the positive points. If not, why not.
Thanks.
If you use one, what are the positive points. If not, why not.
Thanks.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: the dirty south
2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 /////AMG
There are no draw back to a K&N filter. They are far superior to stock filters and do not let any dirt pass.. They will also dramaticly increase the airflow to the engine, naturally increasing da HP! Going to get some for my e63 when the stock ones are donezo. They are also reuseable because they can be washed when they are dirty!
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Joined: May 2008
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From: Pittsburgh,PA, Cambridge, Ontario, CN
2003 S210 3.8L Brabus wagon
They let more air pass because the openings are larger and therefore also let more dirt pass. The oil coating on the filters eventually finds itself on your MAF and will foul it. The goo that it p[uts inside your intake and the dirt that sticks in there looks like !#*^. That is a pricey repair versus the cost of a good paper filter change. The OEM paper filter is designed to flow more air than your motor can use. Be smart and stick with the paper filter from MB. It is money well spent. I have pulled motors run with K&N and the insides do not look good in comparison to a good paper filter. I change mine with every second oil change and for $20 bucks or so it is small change to keep an expensive car healthy. You want your own proof dyno your motor with K&N versus a standard MB paper filter and see the HP difference for yourself and then deicde if what you have gained is worth the trade off. I used to believe the K&N hype and used them and swore by them. Not any more. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City, MO
E55 AMG
My logical side says that if K&N developed superior HP with no downside the AMG engineers would already have this type of filter in place given the small price differential.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 222
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From: oc cali.
2004 E55 AMG
They let more air pass because the openings are larger and therefore also let more dirt pass. The oil coating on the filters eventually finds itself on your MAF and will foul it. The goo that it p[uts inside your intake and the dirt that sticks in there looks like !#*^. That is a pricey repair versus the cost of a good paper filter change. The OEM paper filter is designed to flow more air than your motor can use. Be smart and stick with the paper filter from MB. It is money well spent. I have pulled motors run with K&N and the insides do not look good in comparison to a good paper filter. I change mine with every second oil change and for $20 bucks or so it is small change to keep an expensive car healthy. You want your own proof dyno your motor with K&N versus a standard MB paper filter and see the HP difference for yourself and then deicde if what you have gained is worth the trade off. I used to believe the K&N hype and used them and swore by them. Not any more. Good luck.
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Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
K&N, is old 1920s oil bath filter technology, really who wants an oily rag on the intake. The modern paper/poly filters got us out of the cleaning filters days.
Most K&N users got hooked by the marketing, and don't know the history of K&N or the original application of the early products (it was not automotive).
Nice clean easy to change OEM filter @ 1/4 the price of K&Ns........
Got rice
Most K&N users got hooked by the marketing, and don't know the history of K&N or the original application of the early products (it was not automotive).
Nice clean easy to change OEM filter @ 1/4 the price of K&Ns........
Got rice
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Joined: Feb 2002
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John Deere
There are no draw back to a K&N filter. They are far superior to stock filters and do not let any dirt pass.. They will also dramaticly increase the airflow to the engine, naturally increasing da HP! Going to get some for my e63 when the stock ones are donezo. They are also reuseable because they can be washed when they are dirty!
Everything you said is completely opposite of reality.
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 463
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From: South Florida
2014 E63, Cobra replica, 68 Camaro, 66 Chevy II SS, Z4 BMW, Honda Element, Birel 125cc Shifter Kart.
They let more air pass because the openings are larger and therefore also let more dirt pass. The oil coating on the filters eventually finds itself on your MAF and will foul it. The goo that it p[uts inside your intake and the dirt that sticks in there looks like !#*^. That is a pricey repair versus the cost of a good paper filter change. The OEM paper filter is designed to flow more air than your motor can use. Be smart and stick with the paper filter from MB. It is money well spent. I have pulled motors run with K&N and the insides do not look good in comparison to a good paper filter. I change mine with every second oil change and for $20 bucks or so it is small change to keep an expensive car healthy. You want your own proof dyno your motor with K&N versus a standard MB paper filter and see the HP difference for yourself and then deicde if what you have gained is worth the trade off. I used to believe the K&N hype and used them and swore by them. Not any more. Good luck.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Philly
997TT, C192 GT63, W464 G550, MS Plaid
I actually ordered an 80mm HKS mushroom filter and am going to try to just put it on the throttle body inlet without the airboxes......basically like the red renntech sl55. i will try to get together with a local member to do IAT logs to make sure they are ok. i would also like to try to adapt the oem opening in the hood to feed the HKS filter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,342
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
Sorry guys, but I Like and USE K/N's on EVERY car that I have EVER owned since 1984. NEVER had a single problem, NEVER had a single MAF issue, or for that matter I have never even heard of one, aka urban mith
I have used them on engines with more than 300,000 miles, no problems, and I have torn down a race engine, aka road race with 77,000 miles and NO signs of wear, thanks Mobil 1
Dynoed a few several years ago, worth a few ponies, check the W203 section as this was recently done, along with the C63 section.
Do they let more dirt through, well yes, but at a level that DOESN'T matter, aka too fine to hurt a darn thing. So this isn't worth debating.
Cost higher intial yes, overal NO.
Take your pic boys and girls, but my money will be on K/N's
See yeah
PS: I do not work for or receive any revunes from K/N. Just one TOTALY happy customer for life.
Almost forgot about BMC's which I currently have on my S600. Expensive, but nice. Personaly I would have bought the K/N's but at the time they were not availabe.
I have used them on engines with more than 300,000 miles, no problems, and I have torn down a race engine, aka road race with 77,000 miles and NO signs of wear, thanks Mobil 1
Dynoed a few several years ago, worth a few ponies, check the W203 section as this was recently done, along with the C63 section.
Do they let more dirt through, well yes, but at a level that DOESN'T matter, aka too fine to hurt a darn thing. So this isn't worth debating.
Cost higher intial yes, overal NO.
Take your pic boys and girls, but my money will be on K/N's
See yeah
PS: I do not work for or receive any revunes from K/N. Just one TOTALY happy customer for life.
Almost forgot about BMC's which I currently have on my S600. Expensive, but nice. Personaly I would have bought the K/N's but at the time they were not availabe.
Last edited by MRAMG1; May 26, 2009 at 01:44 PM.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: In a box
W211 E55
K&N makes a good filter, used on all of my cars for 20 years with no issues.
Green filters melted, HKS filters let chunks of rocks through.
The only issue I've ever seen was with user error - way too much oil.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,615
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From: Maryland
SL55 AMG
I heard the BMC are good...are these oilable filters like the K&N's as well??
AFE makes bith an oilable filter for race and for street; but they also have a "pro-dry" filter which is a no oil application; I don't know if they have this for v8K MB engines though...
AFE makes bith an oilable filter for race and for street; but they also have a "pro-dry" filter which is a no oil application; I don't know if they have this for v8K MB engines though...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,615
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From: Maryland
SL55 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,342
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
Former Vendor of MBWorld
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From: Long Island, NY
Whatever we're tuning!
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'18 AMG GTR, '04 CL55, '04 E55, '03 CLK500, '01 E55,94 E500, '91 190E 2.5-16 EVOII, '86 560SL
Here is an interested link about air filters, specially showing the thruth about K&N filters... I used K&N in all my cars too, and this really worries me.
http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm
http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
SL55 AMG
Here is an interested link about air filters, specially showing the thruth about K&N filters... I used K&N in all my cars too, and this really worries me.
http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm
http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 9
From: Daytona, Florida
SL600
Here is an interested link about air filters, specially showing the thruth about K&N filters... I used K&N in all my cars too, and this really worries me.
http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm
http://www.duramax-diesel.com/spicer/index.htm
They flow better, but let in a crapload more crap. It's a trade-off. I'd prefer to have half as much crap sucked into my motor, and am willing to give up the minimal 10hp gain or whatever, in order to do it.
