IS K&N safe for C32 ?
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Vancouver, Canada
03' E39 M5, 10' CLS63 AMG
if u are looking to get a good air filter in ur car i would recommend spending a little bit more money and getting Green filters. they are a lot better then K&N and un-like the K&N which requires cleaning every 100,000K u will need to clean the green every 5000-10,000K's as it gets dirty. but they are at there max efficiency out of the box. un-like the K&N whit will be at its max efficiency at about 50,000K or higher. (the more dirtier they get the better they work)
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From: Chicago
04 C32
There's some confusion floating around in the above discussions
The C32 has a MAP, not a MAF. The K&N oil caused problems with some MAFs on W203s (again, the C32 does not have a MAF). This seems to have been from using too much oil on the recharge. That's where the don't over oil the K&N thing stems from.
The other big option is Green filters. At least some Greens on C32s do not sit properly in the air box over time, and end up letting completely unfiltered air into the engine.
The C32 has a MAP, not a MAF. The K&N oil caused problems with some MAFs on W203s (again, the C32 does not have a MAF). This seems to have been from using too much oil on the recharge. That's where the don't over oil the K&N thing stems from.
The other big option is Green filters. At least some Greens on C32s do not sit properly in the air box over time, and end up letting completely unfiltered air into the engine.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: OC
a quarter mile at a time
has anyone seen any real gains from either green filters or K&N's on MB's? I haven't really seen any significant gains and it seems like it's just more trouble than it's worth.
Banned
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From: Usa
magLipVE
i doubt anyone can notice a difference. on the dyno, yea...
actaully feeling the difference, no way.
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From: Orange County, CA
GMC - Miata - Trek - P-Car
I am just an old ‘tard, but attempting to gain a few HP from the reduced debris filtration capabilities offered by the aftermarket air filters versus that provided by the OE Mann, Knecht and Mahle suppliers is merely false economy. http://bobistheoilguy.com/airfilter/airtest1.htm
If one desires a verifiable increase in his AMG’s performance, it will require an investment of far more than a pair of quick and dirty air filters.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
I have used them on EVERY vehicle I have EVER owned, and it is complete
that they hurt engines. Go to their web site http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htmand you will see for yourself.
Hope this helps dispell the
about K/N's they really are a great product for the buck.See yeah
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
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C32 AMG
They are SAFE:
I have used them on EVERY vehicle I have EVER owned, and it is complete that they hurt engines. Go to their web site http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm
and you will see for yourself.
Hope this helps dispell the about K/N's they really are a great product for the buck.
See yeah
I have used them on EVERY vehicle I have EVER owned, and it is complete
that they hurt engines. Go to their web site http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htmand you will see for yourself.
Hope this helps dispell the
about K/N's they really are a great product for the buck.See yeah
Well if K&N says their filters are effective, it must be true!!!
Seriously, the BEST possible result for any filter is that: (i) it might save you money in the long run b/c you can clean versus replace them, and (ii) it probably will not do you any harm. Power gains are illusory; and does anyone really care if they filter better? Has anyone had a problem with OEM filters letting in too much dust?
It feels good to think you've improved your car, so there's probably a Zen-therapeutic value as well. I get that from a nice wash and wax.
[The BobIsTheOilMan study above is very interesting. Basically, all filters are remarkably close in air flow, and if they allow more air flow, they don't filter as well. Duh.]
Last edited by Fifth Ring; Jun 28, 2007 at 10:53 AM.
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C32 AMG
For anyone who has invested in an aftermarket filter and supporting equipment... more power to you (figuratively of course). For someone thinking about doing it, these threads are very instructive. We perhaps don't need two of them in stereo!
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 969
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From: Vancouver, Canada
03' E39 M5, 10' CLS63 AMG
the filters are a help if u have other modes in ur car, only thing the are spouse to help is increases the air flow in the car. if u have pulley's or other engine modes then u should upgrade to the Green to increase air flow. without restrictions.
sorry i have seen the k&N in action first hand and i would not recommend those to anyone, i would perfer the green over the k&N any day. the green is a fully cotton filter edge to edge.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
I was just trying to show the
about MAF's. It's not the filters that do it, but people that think if a little oil is good, alot has to be better
And yeah, did anyone really think K/N would say there product blows up electronics
See yeah
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From: Scottsdale, Arizonai
'85 190E 2.3-16 '99 C280 '11 GLK350
Is there any evidence that any fuel injected Mercedes engine is "starved" for air? Where's the evidence that supplying "more" air than the stock system to a fuel injected Mercedes engine does anything for performance?
These aren't Holley or Weber carbs sitting on the intakes. Air and fuel are "metered" by the fuel injection system, controlled by the ECU and delivered to each injector. Does anyone believe that an air filter, provided it's not clogged with dirt and debris, is going to allow the engine to generate more HP?
These aren't Holley or Weber carbs sitting on the intakes. Air and fuel are "metered" by the fuel injection system, controlled by the ECU and delivered to each injector. Does anyone believe that an air filter, provided it's not clogged with dirt and debris, is going to allow the engine to generate more HP?
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From: Chicago
04 C32
Is there any evidence that any fuel injected Mercedes engine is "starved" for air? Where's the evidence that supplying "more" air than the stock system to a fuel injected Mercedes engine does anything for performance?
These aren't Holley or Weber carbs sitting on the intakes. Air and fuel are "metered" by the fuel injection system, controlled by the ECU and delivered to each injector. Does anyone believe that an air filter, provided it's not clogged with dirt and debris, is going to allow the engine to generate more HP?
These aren't Holley or Weber carbs sitting on the intakes. Air and fuel are "metered" by the fuel injection system, controlled by the ECU and delivered to each injector. Does anyone believe that an air filter, provided it's not clogged with dirt and debris, is going to allow the engine to generate more HP?
Yes, replacing a restrictive stock filter with a high flow one can allow the engine to generate more hp.
However, are the factory MB filters restrictive? . . . I doubt it.
Super Member
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2002 C32 ///AMG
not true, the K&N filter works better as it get's dirtier, so if u clean the filter it will be not as effective as it should be. and u will have to oil the filter to some level since it is cloth about 70-80% cotton, it will require some oil or it will rip and then become useless.
if u are looking to get a good air filter in ur car i would recommend spending a little bit more money and getting Green filters. they are a lot better then K&N and un-like the K&N which requires cleaning every 100,000K u will need to clean the green every 5000-10,000K's as it gets dirty. but they are at there max efficiency out of the box. un-like the K&N whit will be at its max efficiency at about 50,000K or higher. (the more dirtier they get the better they work)
Yes, green had a problem with the filters sucking under a negative. The problem was with the rubber gasket material they used. Supposedly it was changed a year ago. I have had no problems with my Green Filters.
If anyone really wants to measure the difference between the Green, K&N and stock paper filter, hook up a differential pressure gauge after so many hours on each fitler and measure the pressure drop across the filter. The stock filter will loose because it traps more smaller micron particles (5 -10 micron range) than the K&N and Green.
If trapping most of the dust induced into the motor is what your trying to accomplish go with stock OE fitlers. If you want more airflow (more performance) go with K&N or Green. Yes more fine particles may get through but its questionable as to damaging the engine. When your talking 5-10 micron dust, remember that a piece of hair is 100 micron in width -- your talking really fine dust here.....
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2002 C32 ///AMG
These aren't Holley or Weber carbs sitting on the intakes. Air and fuel are "metered" by the fuel injection system, controlled by the ECU and delivered to each injector. Does anyone believe that an air filter, provided it's not clogged with dirt and debris, is going to allow the engine to generate more HP?
Noticable to most, probably not. Noticable to a dyno, probably.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 272
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
I've had K&Ns on several of my cars in the past but my current RSX Type-S and C32 don't have them, nor will they ever.
For one thing, I think they're vastly overrated and overhyped. Thanks to expensive and effective advertising in enthusiast publications, the first thing most novice gearheads do is rush out to the auto parts store and buy one of these things, thinking they just added 50 horsepower or whatever it is K&N claims for that particular model. But despite the hype, I've never seen the company's power numbers actually backed up. I think the gains you get are small -- at best. How K&N can make the claims it does is beyond me.
Second, while they are probably fine "out of the box," most owners either over-oil them (which causes problems with the car's electronic sensors) or under-oil them (which means dirt flows freely into your engine). I had an Active Autowerks air intake system on my E36 M3 and when it came time to service the filter, I ended up tossing it and replacing it with a new one -- after I failed to find a boring old paper element. Good luck finding a non-K&N filter for most aftermarket air intake systems. K&N is now so prolific you can't.
In short, I wouldn't per se be worried but if my C32 had one, I'd probably replace it with the standard paper unit. The only reason to get one is if you have an aftermarket intake which only takes a K&N and, even then, I'd try to find an alternative. Unfortunately, most aftermarket "performance" filters use the same general concept of oil as a filter medium.
For one thing, I think they're vastly overrated and overhyped. Thanks to expensive and effective advertising in enthusiast publications, the first thing most novice gearheads do is rush out to the auto parts store and buy one of these things, thinking they just added 50 horsepower or whatever it is K&N claims for that particular model. But despite the hype, I've never seen the company's power numbers actually backed up. I think the gains you get are small -- at best. How K&N can make the claims it does is beyond me.
Second, while they are probably fine "out of the box," most owners either over-oil them (which causes problems with the car's electronic sensors) or under-oil them (which means dirt flows freely into your engine). I had an Active Autowerks air intake system on my E36 M3 and when it came time to service the filter, I ended up tossing it and replacing it with a new one -- after I failed to find a boring old paper element. Good luck finding a non-K&N filter for most aftermarket air intake systems. K&N is now so prolific you can't.
In short, I wouldn't per se be worried but if my C32 had one, I'd probably replace it with the standard paper unit. The only reason to get one is if you have an aftermarket intake which only takes a K&N and, even then, I'd try to find an alternative. Unfortunately, most aftermarket "performance" filters use the same general concept of oil as a filter medium.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 973
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From: Santa Barbara & Los Angeles, CA
C32, Cobra, 700hp Vespa
I've had K&Ns on several of my cars in the past but my current RSX Type-S and C32 don't have them, nor will they ever.
For one thing, I think they're vastly overrated and overhyped. Thanks to expensive and effective advertising in enthusiast publications, the first thing most novice gearheads do is rush out to the auto parts store and buy one of these things, thinking they just added 50 horsepower or whatever it is K&N claims for that particular model. But despite the hype, I've never seen the company's power numbers actually backed up. I think the gains you get are small -- at best. How K&N can make the claims it does is beyond me.
Second, while they are probably fine "out of the box," most owners either over-oil them (which causes problems with the car's electronic sensors) or under-oil them (which means dirt flows freely into your engine). I had an Active Autowerks air intake system on my E36 M3 and when it came time to service the filter, I ended up tossing it and replacing it with a new one -- after I failed to find a boring old paper element. Good luck finding a non-K&N filter for most aftermarket air intake systems. K&N is now so prolific you can't.
In short, I wouldn't per se be worried but if my C32 had one, I'd probably replace it with the standard paper unit. The only reason to get one is if you have an aftermarket intake which only takes a K&N and, even then, I'd try to find an alternative. Unfortunately, most aftermarket "performance" filters use the same general concept of oil as a filter medium.
For one thing, I think they're vastly overrated and overhyped. Thanks to expensive and effective advertising in enthusiast publications, the first thing most novice gearheads do is rush out to the auto parts store and buy one of these things, thinking they just added 50 horsepower or whatever it is K&N claims for that particular model. But despite the hype, I've never seen the company's power numbers actually backed up. I think the gains you get are small -- at best. How K&N can make the claims it does is beyond me.
Second, while they are probably fine "out of the box," most owners either over-oil them (which causes problems with the car's electronic sensors) or under-oil them (which means dirt flows freely into your engine). I had an Active Autowerks air intake system on my E36 M3 and when it came time to service the filter, I ended up tossing it and replacing it with a new one -- after I failed to find a boring old paper element. Good luck finding a non-K&N filter for most aftermarket air intake systems. K&N is now so prolific you can't.
In short, I wouldn't per se be worried but if my C32 had one, I'd probably replace it with the standard paper unit. The only reason to get one is if you have an aftermarket intake which only takes a K&N and, even then, I'd try to find an alternative. Unfortunately, most aftermarket "performance" filters use the same general concept of oil as a filter medium.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,642
Likes: 13
From: Caribbean/Florida/Colorado
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
They are SAFE:
I have used them on EVERY vehicle I have EVER owned, and it is complete that they hurt engines. Go to their web site http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm
and you will see for yourself.
Hope this helps dispell the about K/N's they really are a great product for the buck.
See yeah
I have used them on EVERY vehicle I have EVER owned, and it is complete
that they hurt engines. Go to their web site http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htmand you will see for yourself.
Hope this helps dispell the
about K/N's they really are a great product for the buck.See yeah
I have proof of gains!
If you install only the K&N sticker under hood you get 5 HP.
If you install the K&N sticker on the outside of your car 7 HP.
K&N filters speak volumes on the gullibility of some people.
