K&N Panel Air Filter - R32OC

Andy R32 · 30th October 2008, 12:13 PM

Hi everybody, I'm soon gonna replace my air filter with a K&N Panel Air Filter. This is the type I want because it's a straight forward swap and it fits into the factory box. I would like to know if anybody else has used the same type of air filter and make sure that it's good for the car etc? Andy

Gti Fly · 30th October 2008, 12:28 PM

I've been using one in my R32 for over 60,000miles. It give a little more noise, and seems to help give that little bit extra bite.

burble · 30th October 2008, 12:32 PM

I've heard comments about K&N filters losing their oil and upsetting the MAF. I was running one which I replaced with an ITG filter before replacing that with a CAI.

Andy R32 · 02:12 PM

I've also read a comment about that problem too if they are over oiled. I don't think i'll bother getting the K&N filter. Do you know how much those ITG filters cost? Larkspeed said K&N would be just over £40. Andy

burble · 30th October 2008, 02:39 PM

I think mine was about £60.

DWolfUK · 30th October 2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy R32

I've also read a comment about that problem too if they are over oiled. I don't think i'll bother getting the K&N filter. Do you know how much those ITG filters cost? Larkspeed said K&N would be just over £40. Andy

i had good results with a green panel filter on my mkiv. i try to avoid K&N after all the horror stories although im sure load use them without issues. I went straight for the bmc intake on the mkv and although expensive i think its worth it.

Gti Fly · 30th October 2008, 03:22 PM

No worries with KN being oiled, I've run my one for 60,000 miles plus without any horror stories
My dad's got one in his Subaru STI remapped to 320+bhp, and has no problems either.

In my opinion KN have suffered from ppl on the internet giving out scare stories, I've not experienced any problems at all

FLYER · 30th October 2008, 07:06 PM

Yes i have the k&n panel filter on my car.ive had no problems at all.
but every 3 weeks i take it out of the air box and i give it a good shake out.its surprising how much dust and crap comes out.+ i like it better than an induction kit as you dont get heat soak..

DWolfUK · 30th October 2008, 07:35 PM

id have expected less "heat-soak" from a properly fitted induction or intake kit.

i know on mine the air is a lot cooler both whilst sitting still and moving with my BMC intake than the factory one. i did some tests with vag-com before i handed over my money. the difference wasnt a lot on a quick fit but i only had a day to test and i couldnt fit it properly without modifying it. Once i had paid and could chop it etc i was really pleased with the results.

Macdaddy · 31st October 2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYER

Yes i have the k&n panel filter on my car.ive had no problems at all.
but every 3 weeks i take it out of the air box and i give it a good shake out.its surprising how much dust and crap comes out.+ i like it better than an induction kit as you dont get heat soak..

You'd get less way less heat soak over one of those under the bonnet cone filters. But compared to a decent CAI like Carbonio the air will be warmer. Simply due to where the filter is placed.

However performance gains BHP wise are pretty much not worth discussing between the different kits.

Gti Fly · 31st October 2008, 01:16 PM

Those carbonio CAI are more prone to sucking up water when the roads are really wet, or if u hit a big puddle (we've all done that at night when we least expect it), and then f up the engine.

Now there's lots and lots of stories of this happening recently on the uk-mkivs forum.
Proof if any, that you should stay away from those airfilters which route into the lower engine bay area

DWolfUK · 31st October 2008, 04:15 PM

i agree and wouldnt touch anything that moves the intake to the bottom of the car. but most of the newer kits on the mkv especially use the stock air intake on the grill and so dont suffer from this problem.

Zeegoff · 3rd November 2008, 11:39 AM

I had one of those type filters on my last car, K&N typhoon cold air scoop ran down infront of the passenger wheel, went thru a big puddle by accident, ended up needing a new engine, NEVER again.....

Silver · 10th November 2008, 05:59 PM

So what would you recommend for the mk4, a filter?

Gti Fly · 10th November 2008, 06:16 PM

a K/N panel filter mate. nothing fancy, just replaces the OEM paper airfilter

wrk_in_progress · 10th November 2008, 06:32 PM

I must admit I've had a carbonari for about abyear now and touch wood I've never had any problems. I just make sure I takenit steady and watch for the puddles. Not to say I haven't hit one in the dead of night.

Silver · 10th November 2008, 06:37 PM

Hmm not really into k&n much, maybe a different panel filter

DWolfUK · 10th November 2008, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverback

So what would you recommend for the mk4, a filter?

the bmc kit is pretty good. just dont route the piping to the bottom grill

Gti Fly · 10th November 2008, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverback

Hmm not really into k&n much, maybe a different panel filter

BMC do filters.

personally I dont think a dry foam filter is any good, if you hold any of these filters upto the sunlight you will notice that you can see right thru the mesh quite easily. This can't be good for filtration levels, but I guess this is the chance you take when you upgrade filters

James (caxton01) · 11th November 2008, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwolfuk

i agree and wouldnt touch anything that moves the intake to the bottom of the car. but most of the newer kits on the mkv especially use the stock air intake on the grill and so dont suffer from this problem.

Hummmm, Bazz

I was comming back from Cambridge this afternoon and the roads were water logged (Just creaping through the water about 5-10 mph)

Dont think I would like a air intake that was sucking air from down by the lower grill intake. :mad:

Just worried that the water would have ben sucked into the engine !

TwoCollieForThirty · 11th November 2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caxton01

Hummmm, Bazz

I was comming back from Cambridge this afternoon and the roads were water logged (Just creaping through the water about 5-10 mph)

Dont think I would like a air intake that was sucking air from down by the lower grill intake. :mad:

Just worried that the water would have ben sucked into the engine !

I have the Carbinio CAI fitted to mine for over a year now and its not caused me any real problems and it sounds spot on! BUT dont go through any big puddles as it sits about 8 inches from the ground. I've had to do 3 point turns in the middle of the road before to avoid floods, people look at you like your mad, lol

wrk_in_progress · 11th November 2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caxton01

Hummmm, Bazz

I was comming back from Cambridge this afternoon and the roads were water logged (Just creaping through the water about 5-10 mph)

Dont think I would like a air intake that was sucking air from down by the lower grill intake. :mad:

Just worried that the water would have ben sucked into the engine !

It does make driving rather nerve-racking.

James (caxton01) · 11th November 2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrk_in_progress

It does make driving rather nerve-racking.

Yes I bet it does

(Someone had a 4x4 and they did not want to go through the water,....... May get it dirty,lol )

atomic · 13th November 2008, 07:25 PM

if you are worried about hydro-lock with a CAI I would recommend you fit a AEM Air Bypass Valve. AEM - Air Bypass Valve for Cold Air. Not a really CAI man myself always prefer a simple panel filter though I do have a BMC CDA on my hillclimb car. Have a BMC panel fitted to the R but have tried most others in various cars over the years and too be honest they are all about the same. You won't go wrong with a K&N.

wrk_in_progress · 13th November 2008, 08:57 PM

Nice one atomic. Do you know if AEM have a U.K distributor or if I can get one on the Uk??