M271, Putting in a Better Air Filter than the K&N
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
M271, Putting in a Better Air Filter than the K&N
As you guys know, we only have two options for Air Filters on the M271. The K&N and ITG. The K&N is what almost everyone uses. The ITG, I haven't heard of that many people using it...
Well, from my research and now experience using a different filter in the M--Streamline Engineering, in particular--there are filters out there that are a lot better than the K&N, but like most things M271, the manufacturers haven't given us jack.
For the M3 applications, the Streamline filter is hands down much better than the K&N and for the K&N Cold Air Intake, most people change out their K&N cone filter and put on Streamline cone filters. The Streamline filter has better filtration rates and better flow than the K&N for the same applications. So I wanted to see if we could use them...
Do you think these http://www.heleneperformance.com/products2fr.htm
cones would fit our cars?
Well, from my research and now experience using a different filter in the M--Streamline Engineering, in particular--there are filters out there that are a lot better than the K&N, but like most things M271, the manufacturers haven't given us jack.
For the M3 applications, the Streamline filter is hands down much better than the K&N and for the K&N Cold Air Intake, most people change out their K&N cone filter and put on Streamline cone filters. The Streamline filter has better filtration rates and better flow than the K&N for the same applications. So I wanted to see if we could use them...
Do you think these http://www.heleneperformance.com/products2fr.htm
cones would fit our cars?
Last edited by nlpamg; Feb 6, 2007 at 07:31 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 8,692
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
***!dude, people have done real dynos on this! and have had conducted particulate matter tests! I have to look for the threads... but I know Buel's comments and hell if it's good enough for my M it's good enough for the C!
Thread Starter
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
are all MAF's basically the same? the heated wire? or is ours different?
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From: New York City
C55 ///AMG, 535xi
I agree with you phil, k&n is not the best thing on the street. and the debating of green vs k&n still remains. I have not tried ITG, but....have anyone tried BMC??
I'm thinking of either going BMC or Green for the amg airbox.
I'm thinking of either going BMC or Green for the amg airbox.
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Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
I wonder how the other filters are working for people.
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Joined: Mar 2004
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From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
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From: South Coast Metro/Cerritos/Yorba Linda California
'05 C230K '10 GLK350 '13 SMART
I have a BMC air filter and it basically has the same design as the K&N. The rubber at the ends seem to be higher quality than the K&N. The only eason I opted for the BMC was since a local member here had one available and I didn't want to wait for shipping on a K&N. So far no problems. It came pre-oiled. It is due for a cleaning but and worried about putting too much oil and then screwing up the MAF sensor.
Here are the specs if you wanted to try and fit another filter in the box.
Code : 329/16
D1 (mm) D2 (mm) H (mm)
77 107 249
BMC REPLACEMENT FILTER - CYLINDRICAL FILTER
BMC has developed a particular production system based on soft rubber moulding which produces the familiar BMC red filters. They are made in one single piece with no welded joints in the corners, thus avoiding breaking risks.
Here are the specs if you wanted to try and fit another filter in the box.
Code : 329/16
D1 (mm) D2 (mm) H (mm)
77 107 249
BMC REPLACEMENT FILTER - CYLINDRICAL FILTER
BMC has developed a particular production system based on soft rubber moulding which produces the familiar BMC red filters. They are made in one single piece with no welded joints in the corners, thus avoiding breaking risks.
Super Moderator Alumni
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,684
Likes: 12
From: West Los Angeles
Midnight Blue 2004.5 C230 Kompressor Sport Sedan. 2002 w210 E320, 2009 w211 E350 Sport
I have a BMC air filter and it basically has the same design as the K&N. The rubber at the ends seem to be higher quality than the K&N. The only eason I opted for the BMC was since a local member here had one available and I didn't want to wait for shipping on a K&N. So far no problems. It came pre-oiled. It is due for a cleaning but and worried about putting too much oil and then screwing up the MAF sensor.
Here are the specs if you wanted to try and fit another filter in the box.
Code : 329/16
D1 (mm) D2 (mm) H (mm)
77 107 249
BMC REPLACEMENT FILTER - CYLINDRICAL FILTER
BMC has developed a particular production system based on soft rubber moulding which produces the familiar BMC red filters. They are made in one single piece with no welded joints in the corners, thus avoiding breaking risks.
Here are the specs if you wanted to try and fit another filter in the box.
Code : 329/16
D1 (mm) D2 (mm) H (mm)
77 107 249
BMC REPLACEMENT FILTER - CYLINDRICAL FILTER
BMC has developed a particular production system based on soft rubber moulding which produces the familiar BMC red filters. They are made in one single piece with no welded joints in the corners, thus avoiding breaking risks.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Huntington Beach, California
2002 C230 Coupe
I've had a K&N in my C230 for over 2 years - no problems. Where people run into problems (and I saw this many times on the Audiworld forums when I had my Audi A4) is when they over-oil the filter. DO NOT saturate the filter with oil. The filter doesn't need to be dark red - just pink is fine. All the oil does is help attract and hold airborne particulates.
Now the questions is: Is the stock filter better than K&N? I've seen both sides of the arguement but the reality is that the stock filter has a MUCH higher surface area. Basically if you disassemble the filter and unpleat the paper filter, you'll be able to pull the material much farther than you could if you did the same to a K&N. Yes, for the same square inch, the K&N will outflow the paper media. But given the much larger surface area available on the stock filter, the K&N and stock filter are supposed to have pretty equal flow. I keep the K&N because I like being able to clean and reuse a filter and I don't live in a very dusty area.
I don't know why some cars tolerate K&N filters better than others. I've noticed that German cars (Audi, MB) tend to display the effects of a contaminated MAF more than American cars. I suspect that the measurement is much more fine (precise) on German cars as opposed to American cars. When I bored out the MAF on my Audi A4, I needed to use O-rings to act as a mini velocity stack in front of the MAF wires to accelerate flow through the heated wires, otherwise I'd end-up with a check engine light. No such problems on the Mustangs I've had...
Bob
Now the questions is: Is the stock filter better than K&N? I've seen both sides of the arguement but the reality is that the stock filter has a MUCH higher surface area. Basically if you disassemble the filter and unpleat the paper filter, you'll be able to pull the material much farther than you could if you did the same to a K&N. Yes, for the same square inch, the K&N will outflow the paper media. But given the much larger surface area available on the stock filter, the K&N and stock filter are supposed to have pretty equal flow. I keep the K&N because I like being able to clean and reuse a filter and I don't live in a very dusty area.
I don't know why some cars tolerate K&N filters better than others. I've noticed that German cars (Audi, MB) tend to display the effects of a contaminated MAF more than American cars. I suspect that the measurement is much more fine (precise) on German cars as opposed to American cars. When I bored out the MAF on my Audi A4, I needed to use O-rings to act as a mini velocity stack in front of the MAF wires to accelerate flow through the heated wires, otherwise I'd end-up with a check engine light. No such problems on the Mustangs I've had...
Bob
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From: NJ, NYC
Something Slow
i used Green Air filter for 10 mins and they messed up my MAF took them out the same day had to replace my MAF $300 plus a set of new Stock filters $$ right now am Scared to try any aftermarket filters but i have a set of K&N sitting at home...just the fact of buying another new MAF everytime hell no that $300 can do other mods.. that my $0.03 pennys
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Montreal
2006 C230SS Blue/Black, 2003 SL500 Silver/Black
I've had a K&N in my C230 for over 2 years - no problems. Where people run into problems (and I saw this many times on the Audiworld forums when I had my Audi A4) is when they over-oil the filter. DO NOT saturate the filter with oil. The filter doesn't need to be dark red - just pink is fine. All the oil does is help attract and hold airborne particulates.
Now the questions is: Is the stock filter better than K&N? I've seen both sides of the arguement but the reality is that the stock filter has a MUCH higher surface area. Basically if you disassemble the filter and unpleat the paper filter, you'll be able to pull the material much farther than you could if you did the same to a K&N. Yes, for the same square inch, the K&N will outflow the paper media. But given the much larger surface area available on the stock filter, the K&N and stock filter are supposed to have pretty equal flow. I keep the K&N because I like being able to clean and reuse a filter and I don't live in a very dusty area.
I don't know why some cars tolerate K&N filters better than others. I've noticed that German cars (Audi, MB) tend to display the effects of a contaminated MAF more than American cars. I suspect that the measurement is much more fine (precise) on German cars as opposed to American cars. When I bored out the MAF on my Audi A4, I needed to use O-rings to act as a mini velocity stack in front of the MAF wires to accelerate flow through the heated wires, otherwise I'd end-up with a check engine light. No such problems on the Mustangs I've had...
Bob
Now the questions is: Is the stock filter better than K&N? I've seen both sides of the arguement but the reality is that the stock filter has a MUCH higher surface area. Basically if you disassemble the filter and unpleat the paper filter, you'll be able to pull the material much farther than you could if you did the same to a K&N. Yes, for the same square inch, the K&N will outflow the paper media. But given the much larger surface area available on the stock filter, the K&N and stock filter are supposed to have pretty equal flow. I keep the K&N because I like being able to clean and reuse a filter and I don't live in a very dusty area.
I don't know why some cars tolerate K&N filters better than others. I've noticed that German cars (Audi, MB) tend to display the effects of a contaminated MAF more than American cars. I suspect that the measurement is much more fine (precise) on German cars as opposed to American cars. When I bored out the MAF on my Audi A4, I needed to use O-rings to act as a mini velocity stack in front of the MAF wires to accelerate flow through the heated wires, otherwise I'd end-up with a check engine light. No such problems on the Mustangs I've had...
Bob
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'05 C230K '10 GLK350 '13 SMART
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From: So Cal.
2019 GT3 RS, 2017 M3 30 Jahre
Yup, I forgot about the BMC...
That's the thing though, because I'm so worried about damaging the MAF, I would never clean it. I'd just treat it like any other filter and toss it and put in a new one when the time comes, I don't want to risk damaging anything when I can just be safe and put a new one in for not too much more.
I've had a K&N in my C230 for over 2 years - no problems. Where people run into problems (and I saw this many times on the Audiworld forums when I had my Audi A4) is when they over-oil the filter. DO NOT saturate the filter with oil. The filter doesn't need to be dark red - just pink is fine. All the oil does is help attract and hold airborne particulates.
Bob
Bob
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I use the BMC airfilter, its less oily than the K&N so less chance of the filter oil getting into your engine and messing things up. Performance wise its same as or better than the K&N in my opinion. Endurance wise in F1 races like the 24 hour Le Mans theyve used BMC filters in winning cars, so you know your useing a quality product thats meant to last and deliver maximum performance.
We still have a few in stock so give us a call.
We still have a few in stock so give us a call.
Last edited by jlee@carlabms; Feb 8, 2007 at 02:14 PM.
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From: Pasadena, CA
2002 C230K, 2013 BMW 328, 2015 BMW X5
I have about 30k miles on a K&N, no problem at all.
I would like to have the sporty sound of a CAI, but not at the expense of losing any ponies. The good news is that, there is a lot of room to fin a CAI in a M111 engine.
E
I would like to have the sporty sound of a CAI, but not at the expense of losing any ponies. The good news is that, there is a lot of room to fin a CAI in a M111 engine.
E
