K&N performance filter increases mileage and pickup?

Question

I though of replacing my air filter with K&N air filter (which is three times costs then normal one)in my 1990 bmw 525i..K&N claims that it can be reused by cleaning kit.Is it true that this air filter will increase performance if so how it increase the performance.Will it affect any of the other parts in my car.i mean any disadvantages of replacing with K&N filter.pls advice.

Answer 1

The K&N uses a gauze mesh that can be cleaned and then reused. The mesh is more pourous than a typical paper filter, so it flows more air. The material is also oiled, which in theory allows it to filter as well as the normal paper filter.

The plus side is that more air MAY equal better performance. The downside is that it may not provide as good protection as a standard filter. Most objective tests show that it does flow more air than a standard filter, however compared to a new, clean paper filter, not that much of a difference. And likewise, most tests carried out apart from K&N themself show that it does allow more dirt through... and worse, that if over oiled it can cause some other issues with hot wire sensors and such systems.

When looking for performance, it usually comes down to a tradeoff... in this case the potential for improved power comes at the cost of potentially reduced reliabiliy. Do you live in a dusty environment? Is the intake of your car in a location that would be more susceptible to such dust and dirt? You may be trading more than you get.

And what do you get? To go back to the previously mentioned example of trying to run with your mouth covered... it isn't really like that. Imagine trying to run with your mouth 95% open... and then 98% open. Well, I know I can run and have no problem keeping up with my mouth barely open or breathing entirely through my nose! Opening my mouth DOES flow more air, but it doesn't gain me anything. Opening it wider still flows even more air, with no further gain!

Improving airflow will improve performance IF airflow is a performance bottleneck on your car. If not, you are simply flowing more air than your engine can use. Typically, a stock engine (and especially a normally asperated one), will not see an actual gain from something like this. You will likely gain more induction sound which will sound a little zoomier, and if compared to the switch from an old dirty air filter, you will see a gain (but it may just be the same gain you'd see with a new paper filter).

In terms of usablity, the K&N is cleanable, and easy to re-oil (though getting this will cost more - but eventually the K&N will wind up being less expensive). It's not a bad product, but it's use does come with tradeoffs and it is not a guarantee to improve performance or milage.

Answer 2

K&N performance filters are just that. It will bring the performance up a little but will eventually destroy your engine. The filter is designed to have less air restriction, which means less filtration. That's fine for race cars but not an everyday driver.

Answer 3

A K&N filter will outlast the car so you won't ever have to change it just clean it at recommended intervals, the K&N will allow more airflow to the engine thus increasing performance

Answer 4

Think of it as you running while putting your hand over your mouth and breathing as opposed to breathing with no restriction over your mouth.

Cars need to breathe, too! Get it.
It's good cheap horsepower for the money and you can wash the filter out as opposed to buying a new paper filter every six months.

Answer 5

It will increase mileage and performance.... but probably not to the degree that you are hoping for.