E-Class (W212) 2010 - 2016: E 350, E 550
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K&N Filter

Old Mar 18, 2022 | 08:13 AM
  #1  
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2014 E350
K&N Filter

I installed k&n filters on all my cars and trucks, even when I had my w202. i have never had an issue. However, i wanted to ask this community if anyone has experienced any pros or cons w using a k&n filter on the w212. thanks in advance

dC
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 08:28 AM
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I used AFE Pro Dry instead.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 09:17 AM
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Very few people here -- if any -- recommend K&N filters. Do a search on "K&N" and do some reading.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by DFWdude
Very few people here -- if any -- recommend K&N filters. Do a search on "K&N" and do some reading.
thus the reason for my inquiry as i havent seen many comments or info based on my research. youtube shows amg models installing the k&n and the sound becomes nicer, yet i dont have the amg.

what filter do you recommend?
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Bahnstormer
I used AFE Pro Dry instead.
thank you for your response. its the first time i hear about this brand. im assuming you recommend dry in lieu of oiled filters for the w212. are there concerns of oil entering the intake manifold?

dC
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 10:11 AM
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Remove your K&N rock filter and hold it up to the sun, trying to use it as a shade. See all those points of light? That's where dust comes through, and that dust is not good for anything in your engine.
I am of course assuming you're using a reusable oiled rock filter.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 10:50 AM
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Different platform but you get the gist.

https://mbworld.org/forums/w210-amg/...-s-filter.html
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 11:33 AM
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Originally Posted by ekitainoken.eth
thus the reason for my inquiry as i havent seen many comments or info based on my research. youtube shows amg models installing the k&n and the sound becomes nicer, yet i dont have the amg.

what filter do you recommend?
I am not a **** for OEM parts, except for filters. You can't go wrong with OEM filters. I use MB OEM oil filters exclusively.

That said, I currently have a Hengst engine air filter in mine that I bought NIB from LILBENZ230 after he sold his car. I have no opinion about it so far. But it will be better than K&N.

I used a K&N (once) in an '85 Nissan 300ZX. Hardly worth all the work, as it was a PITA to maintain.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 11:51 AM
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Originally Posted by rapidoxidation
Remove your K&N rock filter and hold it up to the sun, trying to use it as a shade. See all those points of light? That's where dust comes through, and that dust is not good for anything in your engine.
I am of course assuming you're using a reusable oiled rock filter.
thanks rapid. solid advice.

dC
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by DFWdude
I am not a **** for OEM parts, except for filters. You can't go wrong with OEM filters. I use MB OEM oil filters exclusively.

That said, I currently have a Hengst engine air filter in mine that I bought NIB from LILBENZ230 after he sold his car. I have no opinion about it so far. But it will be better than K&N.

I used a K&N (once) in an '85 Nissan 300ZX. Hardly worth all the work, as it was a PITA to maintain.
your insight is greatly appreciated. i like to learn from those who have direct experience. thanks for taking the time to share w me.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Bahnstormer
I used AFE Pro Dry instead.



it looks like they offer both oil and dry.... interesting. im going to look more into this.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 01:00 PM
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 02:13 PM
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Originally Posted by ekitainoken.eth



it looks like they offer both oil and dry.... interesting. im going to look more into this.
These don't look to be AFE brand.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by ekitainoken.eth


it looks like they offer both oil and dry.... interesting. im going to look more into this.

I'm not at all sure why you would buy this when the factory air filter is at least $20 less (IIRC).

IMO, you should not worry about finding more air flow. The OEM filters offers airflow characteristics tuned for the engine, along with supreme protection. There is no Rocket Science in this.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 03:58 PM
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The AFE filters last much longer than the OEM ones. Along with better air flow they make sense to me.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 06:31 PM
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https://i0.wp.com/www.project200.com...g?w=1200&ssl=1


Thanks, but no thanks.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
Where would the OEM filters fit into this chart?
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by rapidoxidation
Remove your K&N rock filter and hold it up to the sun, trying to use it as a shade. See all those points of light? That's where dust comes through, and that dust is not good for anything in your engine.
I am of course assuming you're using a reusable oiled rock filter.
i agree with you. i just always liked the sound of the engine when i used k&n. sounds more of a beast and was considering doing the same to my w212.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by kajtek1
thanks for sharing. this is the reason i love these types of forums.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by ekitainoken.eth
i agree with you. i just always liked the sound of the engine when i used k&n. sounds more of a beast and was considering doing the same to my w212.
I like the sound of my engine too. That's why I won't use a K&N anymore; I'd like to hear the same engine in 100k miles...

I had a '96 Chevy truck 6.5 diesel that I bought used with a K&N. Every time I cleaned the filter, I also had to clean the fine dust out of the intake pipe - on the FILTERED AIR side of the filter. That was more than enough to convince me to go back to stock.
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Old Mar 18, 2022 | 11:47 PM
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Originally Posted by rapidoxidation
I like the sound of my engine too. That's why I won't use a K&N anymore; I'd like to hear the same engine in 100k miles...

I had a '96 Chevy truck 6.5 diesel that I bought used with a K&N. Every time I cleaned the filter, I also had to clean the fine dust out of the intake pipe - on the FILTERED AIR side of the filter. That was more than enough to convince me to go back to stock.
completely understandable. i have a chevy that i put 70k miles on it w the k&n. im going to check the intake manifold and box to see how it looks. thanks for sharing.
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Old Mar 19, 2022 | 02:36 AM
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I think this was a good video to help sum it all up -


Id rather have a good filter that keeps my engine clean than a few more ponies...

Enjoy
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Old Mar 19, 2022 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Quattrodude
I think this was a good video to help sum it all up -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ3L-E-ufYo

Id rather have a good filter that keeps my engine clean than a few more ponies...

Enjoy
excellent. thanks for sharing. engine longevity over ponies all day... and its not like one gets 1000 extra hp bc of air filters...
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Old Mar 19, 2022 | 11:15 AM
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I am not even sure that most of K&N installation deliver few more ponies.
When they call themselves often "cold air" filters, most application makes them hot air filter, who sucks hot/dirty air from engine compartment, when factory filters suck clean air behind front grille.
How engine bay dirt can affect the air, I just discovered on my 1922 Ford T.
Originally the T never had air filter, what was not acceptable to me, so I added filter to factory design. It is 6" round filter as that was the biggest size that would fit.,
So put it on last year and I drove the car for about 60 miles since. Than lately the engine would start and die after couple of seconds. Spend over 2 hr checking fuel, carburetor. plugs, only to discover that the air filter got clog after 60 miles of driving.
The T is a dripper since some seals are made with felt and there is no way to stop oil drips on it and evidently that, with desert dust affected the filter placed at the rear of engine.
Now I have 5 spare filters in my garage.
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Old Mar 19, 2022 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by ekitainoken.eth
excellent. thanks for sharing. engine longevity over ponies all day... and its not like one gets 1000 extra hp bc of air filters...
Far, far from it. If you were at the track, and fractions of seconds count, then a K&N may be a good choice. It will give you more power, but still catch the rocks. The cost is engine longevity. But for a guy that is all about power, it seems likely that engine longevity is low on the priority list, if it even makes the list.

There is a train of thought that superior air filtration is the most important factor in protecting an engine, even to the point that if air filtration is good enough, that oil filtration is of little or no importance. The best oil filtration can never make up for poor air filtration.


About 18 ago I put a K&N air filter in an Alero. I thought I could tell an immediate increase in power. But after inspecting the filter when cleaning and oiling it, I became very concerned about the size of the holes that I could see light through. After pondering the size of dust, and even sand particles that could pass through the K&N filter, I threw it away and replaced it with a traditional filter. It made me angry at myself, and even more so at K&N, for being duped into believing that they were offering a superior product.
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