Hello,
I'm looking to replace my dirty air intake filter. Should I go OEM or aftermakt (K&N, Bosch, Fram, etc). I've heard of stories about replacing air filter with aftermarket and how it triggers the CEL on or other instances that affects the performance. Then again there are other aftermkts that performs well than OE, but whoch ones? Any opinion? What's your experience?

 

What ever you decided to go with, it's a PITA to put in because of the thicker seals.

 

K&N is probably the best out of those you named.

 

I have an Evoms intake and an aftermarket cone filter and unless you put the MAF sensor in backwards you shouldn't get a CEL.

 

MAHLE LX622

www.rockauto.com

sells it for $7.67.

 

I found a few posts from here and everyone has mixed opinions on which air filter to go with. From what I gather, oiled air filter can possibly damage the MAF, and that there's not much improvement than an OE paper filter. Also, with oiled air filter, such as K&N, will require more maintenance(cleaning, oiling up properly) as oppose to dipose old and replace with new. I'm not sure anymore, but it looks like I'm leaning towards OE since I'm not looking to mod my car as of yet. Is really a PITA to replace these? Should I consider having a tech do it?

 

Go K&N for your OE airbox.

As far as I know, oil in the filter only effects MAF witha CAI mod (cold air intake-(cone K&N). This why I didnd't put mine on.
Although it seems that MANY people are running CAI's in theie car and have no problem.

 

If you get a K&N just make sure to wipe off the excess oil for it and you will be fine. Thats what i did and I don't have any problems. That reminds me, I should clean it out.

Josh

 

put k&n in my last four cars. great product. clean and reoil once a year. never have to buy a replacement, just the oil and cleaner. im still on my first bottles from 5yr ago. not so much the audi, but in my spyder it made a huge difference. dont know bout the maf probs as mine was bad when i bought the car (another item ive replaced. need to make a list of these). ill reoil my filter in jan, but i expect that'll be to late to help ya.

 

I put in a K&N 5k ago. No problems, other than had towrestle with getting the original filter out and puttingthe K&Nin. What a mess. They must charge a higher than normal rate to change the air filter. Stupid design. The engineer who designed the assembly should be never be allowed to get close to a
CAD system again.

My K&N was new out of the box so wasn't a problem with excess oil. You could have a problem if you
clean and go nuts with the oil before replacing. When it's time, I'll be careful with oiling.