I want to replace my air filter on my 2001 A6 2.7T; I started to take the old one out the other day - seemed pretty simple at first glance: remove the tube that feed air to the filter (which is a snap-on/snap-off job) and open 4 brackets to remove the air filter housing, take out the filter, put the new one in, put all the stuff you take off back, wash your hands and go drivin'. But there's a bracket all the way on the bottom of the housing for the filter that I just couldn't get to no matter how I bent my fingers!!! I ended up just leaving this off for now, at least until I get some 4-11 on the op.
Any tips on how to open this bracket?
Also, would it make any sense upgrading to K&N filter on a 2.7 bi-turbo engine - has anybody tried this?

 

K and n is probably a bad idea due to the oil causing maf issues. A long prybar will do the trick in clipping the bracket back in. Also make sure the filter is sitting correctly. If its in wrong it can be very difficult to clip the housing in. Also make sure you get that hard one way down there in first. The last one is always the hardest to get in as its a tight fit. So make the last one you clip in the one in easiest spot to acces.

 

I have a 2000 A6 2.7. I installed a K&N and it went fine. It even ran a little better. I used a long screw driver that had been filed down to a point and bent like a hook. It did the trick. Good Luck.