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So I received my new K&N drop-in performance air filter the other day & installed it (15 minutes). And after a couple days of driving in all kinds of traffic situations, all I have to say is everyone with the 2.0L engine needs to get one of these air filters!
Not only has the responsiveness improved, but I've also seen the highest MPG number so far...30.5 (up from a high of 27.5)...and I drive the same 18.3 miles each way to work & back on the same roads in the same traffic conditions. When in "Comfort" mode for instance, I now feel I'm in "Comfort+"...yes it's that good!
Well worth the $50 total I paid.
Last edited by MASSC450; Mar 19, 2016 at 05:37 PM.
at what mileage is the air filter supposed to be changed? $50 isnt going to be justified if im at 7k miles and i need to change the filter at 15k miles or something. but good to know there is an option!
Not looking to start a pissing in the wind contest, but do feel obliged to add my 2-cents take on K/N filters. I don't come close to tracking or being overly spirited with my cars (well, maybe sometimes,) and I have never modded my cars for more power/performance. However, I am a believer in checking out product performance claims (not just car products, but anything that seems too good to be true). Googling K&N science or K&N performance testing will bring up a ton of information indicating that the bottom line on these filters is: Very, very little performance increase...if any...particularly with street/stock engines. Large holes in filter allow for somewhat more air flow and a great deal more particulate matter to enter the engine. Although one can clean and reuse the filter, it will take a long time to make up the dollar difference compared to using replaceable good standard filters. In essence, I have found nothing to warrant the extra expense of a K&N filter on a street car.
I don't come close to tracking or being overly spirited with my cars (well, maybe sometimes,) and I have never modded my cars for more power/performance.
Sorry to hear that...you don't know what you're missing!
However, I am a believer in checking out product performance claims (not just car products, but anything that seems too good to be true). Googling K&N science or K&N performance testing will bring up a ton of information indicating that the bottom line on these filters is: Very, very little performance increase...if any...particularly with street/stock engines.
I didn't buy this filter for a performance gain, I bought for increased engine response...which I most definitely got.
Large holes in filter allow for somewhat more air flow and a great deal more particulate matter to enter the engine. Although one can clean and reuse the filter, it will take a long time to make up the dollar difference compared to using replaceable good standard filters. In essence, I have found nothing to warrant the extra expense of a K&N filter on a street car.
I don't work for K&N, but after purchasing a K&N air filter, you never have to buy another air filter again since you clean & re-oil it when it get's dirty. They even come with a "Million Mile" warranty.
I didn't buy this filter for a performance gain, I bought for increased engine response...which I most definitely got...
Could you further define "increased engine response?" Basically, I'm assuming you mean that when depressing the accelerator, there is no or less lag???
Could you further define "increased engine response?" Basically, I'm assuming you mean that when depressing the accelerator, there is no or less lag???
Yes, less lag.
Last edited by MASSC450; Mar 18, 2016 at 05:09 PM.
Can someone really measure this? Especially after 2 weeks of installation?
I can understand if you want to save some money and clean and reuse air filters but it's not the 70s and 80s any more, more air flow doesn't mean much in today's engines and just going to kill the MAF sooner.
Can someone really measure this? Especially after 2 weeks of installation?
I can understand if you want to save some money and clean and reuse air filters but it's not the 70s and 80s any more, more air flow doesn't mean much in today's engines and just going to kill the MAF sooner.
Now here's a man who knows what he is talking about...
Agreed, that certainly does give the feeling of increased performance...
Like I said in my first post, I'd be happy if this filter just gave me increased engine response...and that's exactly what I've experienced with this K&N filter so far.
Changing to a cloth or cotton air filter will not improve engine response or performance in any significant measurable way. If it did, K&N would post dyno data. But it doesn't and they don't.
Some engine designs will benefit from a modifying the air intake to increase air flow. This is a little more involved than swapping the oem filter for a K&M.
If you really want to find a boost for you stock C300 motor, find a station that sells high octane marine or racing fuel (non-ethanol). If you are willing to pay for it 98+ octane fuel will increase performance, possibly even to the point where the gain is noticeable.
Be prepared to pay at least $1/gal more than standard "premium" gas.
If you want a full time improvement, then you may want to look at a ECU flash or a piggyback unit.
Changing to a cloth or cotton air filter will not improve engine response or performance in any significant measurable way. If it did, K&N would post dyno data. But it doesn't and they don't.
Some engine designs will benefit from a modifying the air intake to increase air flow. This is a little more involved than swapping the oem filter for a K&M.
I think you're confusing increased engine response with increased engine performance. I have no idea if my car has benefited from an increase in HP (I'd need a dyno for that)...I didn't purchase the air filter for that, but I most definitely experienced a decrease in lag. My car especially feels more zippy in the lower gears.
And yes, one can experience a slight increase in measured HP/ft lb just using a drop-in air filter like from K&N...there's plenty of dyno charts on the web to prove it. In addition, many have experience a slight increase in gas mileage as well.
Here's the problem. Butt dyno is inaccurate and usually has placebo effect.
If lag is decreased, a real dyno will show that. That means power comes in may be a few rpm earlier.
Engine management will compensate whatever variable you change. That why some will feel better on initial installation and be compensated for it within a week or so and it will be gone.
This is why K&N is still around even if there are enough evidence out there that say they do more harm than good. It's a faith based mod. I can get behind that you want a part that is reusable and trade off is engine issue for the next owner. I personally don't care for aftermarket air filters.
And this is coming from a guy who used to slap K&N and CAI on a Civic in my teens. The amount of MAF it fouled, man.
Simple physic is, you don't get more air without more dirt. Even if the improvement is true, you still have more dirt (and may be oil) going in your intake.
Engine management will compensate whatever variable you change. That why some will feel better on initial installation and be compensated for it within a week or so and it will be gone.
Yes time will tell, right now I'm loving the increased engine response.
And this is coming from a guy who used to slap K&N and CAI on a Civic in my teens. The amount of MAF it fouled, man.
I on the other hand have installed K&N and other brands of oil impregnated air filters on a number of my past vehicles and have never experience a MAF getting fouled...not one. My wife also noticed a similar decrease in lag when I installed a K&N air filter in her 2014 BMW 328i as well.
Simple physic is, you don't get more air without more dirt. Even if the improvement is true, you still have more dirt (and may be oil) going in your intake.
I'm good with K&N's claim of 99% filtration compared to a stock filter element...it's never been an issue in the past for me on my past vehicles either.
Crud buildup on the MAF can take a long time before it causes any problems. Most new cars get sold or traded before it becomes an issue. MAF can be cleaned as a DIY project. Depending on design this can be really easy or it can be a huge PITA.
Airflow is still dependent on the air intake. Changing filters has a marginal effect on airflow. Modding the air intake can make a much more substantial effect on air flow and is usually one of the less expensive and easily reversible mods.
Seriously though, if you want to reduce turbo lag get the ECU flashed/tuned or install a piggyback. More aggressive mapping will decrease lag, increase performance, and only produce a minimal decrease in mpg.
Seriously though, if you want to reduce turbo lag get the ECU flashed/tuned or install a piggyback. More aggressive mapping will decrease lag, increase performance, and only produce a minimal decrease in mpg.
Ordered How is the installation? Is there any better sound? More crispy?
Installation is not too bad...as easy as replacing a stock Mercedes air filter. Remove top plastic engine cover, a couple screws and a band clamp to loosen, and a clip holding a wire harness to the air box.
I haven't really noticed any sound increase, but the car is definitely less hesitant in the lower rpms. What I have noticed is an increase of 0.4 mpg over the stock air filter.
Definitely worth the money if using the whole system. The car runs like it should have without tune. The so called hard to reach sensor isn't that hard to reach and should not be left off.
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