any downsides to using K&N? does it filter out dust as good as the paper filters?

If you over oil the k&n it will contaminate the maf. there is a post somewhere in af that a comparison was done between the k&n and a high quality paper filter and the difference was very minimal.

do a search on air filters to see if you ca find it.

hmm..if there's little improvement in airflow, i think i'll just stick to the oem filters.

how much oil is too much? i have a k&n and my engine revs fast so the air flow must be better...it also sounds good

That might be justbecause you put a newer filter in and clean it often, or it could be the filter, my mechanic told me to stick with oem ones because they've had a lot of problems with them before. K&N are sweet for American and Japanease cars, but don't do much for Audi's

I was told that the oil from a K&N right out of the box will harm the MAF

When you clean it, make sure there is nothing dripping off. You can hook your garage vacuum up to it, & make sure there is no loose oil.

Or just switch to a foam filter that uses a much higher viscosity oil.

from whwat ive read, if you blot it pretty good with some papertowels it should be okay. as long as its not excessively oiled, itll be ok