E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

K & N Air filters E320 worth it?

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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 03:56 PM
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E320 CDI
K & N Air filters E320 worth it?

Hey guys, is it worth fitting a K & N air filter to my E320 late 03 model?
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 04:05 PM
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Corrolla
Do it.

Andy
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 04:24 PM
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E320 CDI
Originally Posted by M-bENZ
Do it.

Andy

Thanks Andy, just picked one up for £57, which is pretty cheap for UK
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 05:37 PM
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Hard to list the value of a K&N

Are they worth the fact you WILL destroy your MAF sensor by installing one?

Are they worth the fact they provide ZERO performance enhancement?

Are they worth the fact they're so poorly made they're not likely to fit your airbox for long?

If all this appeals to you, they must be "worth it."
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 06:11 PM
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S550, E320 Sport Wagon and A170CDI :)
Originally Posted by lkchris
Hard to list the value of a K&N

Are they worth the fact you WILL destroy your MAF sensor by installing one?

Are they worth the fact they provide ZERO performance enhancement?

Are they worth the fact they're so poorly made they're not likely to fit your airbox for long?

If all this appeals to you, they must be "worth it."
I had to change both filters and my friend told me to buy K&N so I did and CANNOT see any difference!!! don't spend money on that.....

HUBI
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Old Nov 30, 2009 | 10:31 PM
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2006 E320 CDI
Common sense

Originally Posted by lkchris
Hard to list the value of a K&N

Are they worth the fact you WILL destroy your MAF sensor by installing one?

Are they worth the fact they provide ZERO performance enhancement?

Are they worth the fact they're so poorly made they're not likely to fit your airbox for long?

If all this appeals to you, they must be "worth it."
Why...you're just spouting common sense! You expect that to prevail over K&N hype and the cool looks of their filters?
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 03:10 AM
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E55 AMG
Just out of curiosity - why will they destroy the MAF sensor? What verifiable evidence is there to support this claim?
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 03:25 AM
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CLS63 Designo Edition, Hyundai Genesis 3.8 , Veloster Turbo, CLS500(Sold), E320 (SMOKED) R500 (Sold)
I have run K&N filters for about 9 years now. On a 300M, E320, and a CLS. I have never seen any problems with MAF's, or any other dirt build-up, filters not fitting (what? ) etc.

Example: I had 130K miles on my 300M when I sold it. I have 195K miles on my E320.

Kleeman uses K&N filters, so are they putting harmful filters into the cars they tune?

On the performance, it is minimal. I just like the fact I can go much longer between filter changes. Draw your own conclusions, but please do research on anything you want to mod on your car.
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 08:28 AM
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You can do a search on this forum to find loads of comments about these filters......strong opinions on both sides of the fence. Some folks who have MAF failure blame it on the filters. I've researched this issue and you can find good scientific test data on the K & N Website........if they are bad for your vehicles they would be out of business by now and MB would void their warranties if used but MB does not do that. I've installed K & N air filters on my 2003 E500 at the 60k mileage point and I now have 75k miles and no problem. They are cleanable, which is their main benefit, but some folks over-oil them in that process which can affect the MAF.
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 10:48 AM
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03 E500 and Corvette
Originally Posted by lkchris
Hard to list the value of a K&N

Are they worth the fact you WILL destroy your MAF sensor by installing one?

Are they worth the fact they provide ZERO performance enhancement?

Are they worth the fact they're so poorly made they're not likely to fit your airbox for long?

If all this appeals to you, they must be "worth it."
How long do I have to wait for the MAF sensor to be destroyed. I have been running K&N on my Corvette for the last 70,000 miles and it is "still going".

But then it is driven on the track at speeds up to 130 mph. OH,,, forgot the engine still uses NO oil between 8000 mile oil changes and has over 80,000 miles on it. So I was just wondering when to expect the MAF to be destroyed. I do clean and re oil the K&N about every 15,000 miles and use sealer to make sure the (as you described) open air box forces all the air through the K&N filter.

My Son In Law has been running K&N on his ford truck for 85,000 miles also and his truck is still in great shape. It would be nice to know when the MAF will be destroyed.

Any info on this would be great because we would change out the MAF just before failure if we know when it will fail.

Aren't we having fun. Great topic, MY dog is bigger than your dog!
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 07:49 PM
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Though I have not had need to upgrade air filters in my Bluetec, I have been using K&N filters in my Ford truck for over 100,000 miles without any problem.
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Old Dec 1, 2009 | 08:48 PM
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Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
It's not the filters that destroy the MAF, it's the owners that over-oil them that do. If your MAF sensor gets covered with the K&N recharge oil, it will destroy it, make no mistake about that. So, just make sure to soak up some of the oil and let it dry a bit when it's new, as well as cleanings and you'll be fine.

But, you're not gonna feel any difference over the MB OEM filter on your 320, so why risk it?


Remember, guns don't kill people, people do. Same concept.

My .02
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