Distalero

Oh no (ducking head), here comes the dyno "discussion" again.

Some motors come stronger than other motors, straight from the factory. Same model, same motor, but one can be stronger than the other "naturally", let's say. All numbers published are just that, little numbers on a sale brochure or in little pixels on your screen, not necessarily real in the sense that it has much to do with the specific car YOU own (not to mention all the other variables that are involved in dyno "results").

A lot of discussion, on a lot of forums, concerning a bunch of different motors, some daily drivers, some special purpose, have gone over the K&N issue. Some swear up and down that they free up obstructed air caused by a factory design, while filtering effectively. Some just swear at them (the filters) because they've done nothing, or clogged the MAF, or let more grit in, or whatever their argument has been.

I personally don't think MB, with their engineering and longevity reputation on the line (not to mention having to comply with CARB here in sunny Calif) is going to simply muck up the intake design to save a few bucks and be a little less compliant with the law.

So why think that oiled guaze is much different from dry paper? Advertising, in the media and by word of mouth, many times from mouths that don't know much about the pros and cons.

I will leave you with this: I once, on my absolutely last road trip for hotrod mods several years ago, drove a car to SoCal, and had a blower and associated electronics installed, buy the guy who designed the whole kit. The car was dynoed after that. He's one of the better known names in import modification, had his own dyno, and has done design R&D for Honda Japan. He's raced, and he knows what he's talking about. He assured me that putting a short pipe intake and either a K&B or a foam filter on the end of said intake would free up about 10 horse, and better yet, a bit more torque. He put it on and away he went. Know what? NO difference. Not with the short straight through intake, and not with the filters.

jaedee

The whole idea of the K&N filter ruining your MAF sensor is silly. I spoke to customer service at K&N and they told me that they have had claims about this happening but have not yet had any proof that it was caused ny the filter. I have had K&N intakes on every single EFI and carbuerated vehicle I have ever owned and have not had a single issue with a MAF sensor. The thing I find funny, is that the guy who initially brought this up (about the oiled filters) has BMC filters listed in his sig. WTF?

Moretea

Where did you guys order these K&N filters? I'm thinking of getting one and DIY.
I found this on Ebay, do you guys think this will work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/K-N-A...4506.m20.l1116

Thanks

tanktube67

Must local Auto Parts should be able to order them for you

ericwu

Hi,
Is there any one knows the K&N filter product number for my 2008 c220 cdi?
Thanks,

JimPap

At what milage are you suppose to change out the air filters?

Azn_C300

Supposed to be every 50k miles, but it really depends on area and situation. I know several that change it every 30 that live in dusty/rural areas. If you're in california, you change it after every wildfire in your area :p

JimPap

Not particularly dusty here.

How about the cabin filters? Aren't there two...one for recirculation and one for outside air?

jturkel

i clean mine once a yr (after summer). it is particularly dusty where i live. take your environment into consideration as to when you clean it. if its really dusty, clean them more frequently.

Azn_C300

+1 this is one of those things where I'd stray from cookie cutter book recommendation and apply best judgment rule. Base your care off your environment and examine your filter from time to time to see if it needs changing.

SuPERSaK

I just installed my K&N and I had the same problem with the filter making the intake housing stick out. I did a little NIP TUCK and that fix the problem.

AutoZone is where I got mine...

GHAZAN

no gains...they just get dirtier faster and then u have to buy special stuff to clean them. put paper back in

SuPERSaK

No thanks I needed to change the original filter anyways.

When I change it out there was all kind of butterfly, bugs, leafs, and dust/dirt in there.

iunlock

I got mine off of Amazon ... I think it's cheaper than ebay and more trust worthy...

After reading about the MAF possibly being effected by the oil on the K&N overtime..it's making me think...hhmmm....I'm closing in on 50K miles...and the filters are on their way ...

RichardA

I put K&N's in my 2009 C350 and the check engine light came on within 20 miles. I replaced them with the stock filters and before the end of the day, the car cycled and the light went off. I returned the filters and picked up some oem style and no problems. This is the first time I've ever run across any issues with K&N.

grane

What is not silly is that MB will not honor warranty claims covering intake and engine system failures otherwise covered if you use stock e.g., fleece filters when you replace them with oiled filters. If aftermarket manufacturers want to take over this burden they are welcome to. Why don't you call you filter magicians and ask them to assume the liability in writing so you can hand that to your SA?

I have used advanced aftermarket intakes and filters on other cars that were not engineered to the level of my CL or my M113.

The idea that MB would not use a superior intake and oiled filter technology in an AMG if it were better performance wise is quite doubtful.

dodgern

Guys, i appreciate this information on installing K & N Filters for the C300, nice photos alos!. To C-Class_Greek, these filters really do help the car to breathe better that the paper as the K&N use cotton for the filter material and it is much less restrictive and produces much less turbulence than the factory (paper) filters. I had k&N in my old 1997 C230K 5 speed stick and there was a noticeable improvement in acceleration.

jimmythegreek

leave the stocks in there like posted previously. I have upgraded filters and the only other than OEM I would use is BMC. they are pricey but are the only ones AMG tuners and the like use, they even make ur motor growl a little more on the intake side........

acr2001

K&N filters are junk. Stop wasting your time and risking problems.

MBRedux

Agreed... I threw my K&N's away for this reason.... and I installed a set of OEM MANN filters purchased off of Amazon Automotive for half the local jobber price.

dansonchan

Just install by myself !! The air tube is very hard to take out take 1 hour to change 2 filter!!thx!!

Christian75

I did the same install an yes you need to trim a little bit, as far as horsepower gains i couldn't actually notice any power increase but i don't know in a Dyna.As for price i bought them @ pep boys and got a better price than amazon and ebay but i dont know if at that time they were on sale. Nice install

iunlock

This is one heck of a roller coaster of a post on air filters...

K&N - OR - BMC - OR- OEM?

All the arguments are legit on both sides...

However, what I want to know is if there is anyone that actually had sensor problems due to the oil from the K&N? (Other than RichardA)
Update: Ok so here's one very interesting blog post with people with all different makes reporting their problem, but it seems that the problem may reside in improper re-oiling which may cause this ...alleged problem?
http://forums.automobilemag.com/70/6...nds/index.html


I have K&N's on their way and am curious if I should send them back...

MBfinatic

Those are some good numbers!

JerseyC350

Ummm, ACME Labs in Walla Walla? And does anyone, other than doctors, send anything to labs for analysis? A little far-fetched...

"Actually, I sent the MAF to Acme Labs in Walla Walla, Washington for a full analysis"

Read more: http://forums.automobilemag.com/70/6...#ixzz201ZnGf32