Which Panel Filter?

[Peety]

Hi,

I need some advice, recently purchased a 2002 A3 1.8T Quattro and I'm lookng to replace the panel filter in my car, but I've heard the K&N ones aren't as good as they claim...I've heard a few peeps suggest stick to paper filters, can anyone confirm?

Cheers.
P.

 

[Clach]

IMO paper ones will save you alot of hassle in terms of MAF sensors...Audi sensors are sesitive buggers, anyway the paper ones are good for high bhp cars!!! Save the cash.

 

[Peety]

Wicked, cheers!

 

[james0808]

IMO paper ones will save you alot of hassle in terms of MAF sensors...Audi sensors are sesitive buggers,

Why will it,if the maf is going to go,its going to go no matter what filter you are using.

 

[Andy D]

isn't there also a problem with the filter oil causing problems?

 

[Peety]

Realistically, do I need to replace the standard one at all? I don't want problems for something that isn't a necessity, I've been told to stay away from Induction kits, but at the same time, I've not much good things about replace panel filters...

 

[james0808]

isn't there also a problem with the filter oil causing problems?

This is rumoured but ive never seen any proof.
Have a look at the info and vids on K&N's website about oil damaging maf's,it might be abit biased but very informative.

http://www.knfilters.com/MAF/massair.htm

I've been using oiled cone filters for over 10 years and i have only replaced one maf and that was on my totally standard A4.
If you want a bit more induction noise,which is really all your going to get,apart from not having to keep buying paper ones and replacing them,i would get a cone filter with a good heatshield and cold air feed or move the filter away from the hot engine bay.

 

[danotto]

ive got a pipercross panel filter on mine and havent had any problems with it and it also give the recirc valve a bit of a louder tone,although i have fitted a bailey rc valve

 

[mattyboy199]

I have a BMC panel filter ;-)

 

[Mo-S3]

highly recommend green panel filters from priracing.co.uk

 

[ash_s3]

K&N panel filter comes highly recommended pal :icon_thumright:

 

[vanilla_ice]

Green panel filter here and a Forge 007p. Nice whooshing sound and not over the top.

ICE

 

[jesters3]

Each to their own I guess.

Quite a lot of people swear by Green/KN/BMC etc and I have rarely heard of a MAF failure because of this; though it is said that the 'oil' can contaminate the sensor, but I haven't heard of anyone confirming this just 'rumours' and 'assumptions'.

A mate of mine has Green filter in his ibiza and says it is the DBs and gives it a clean every so often as a result the £40 he paid seems a good investment. Me I decided to stick with the OE filter as at £7.00 a pop and regular maintenance of the car seemed more preferable to me.

Plus the gains from an Air Filter is minimal/nothing apart from an increase in noise. If you have uprated some parts DV, TIP, Hoses then there may be more power but otherwise minimal.

If still unsure, run an OE filter for 6 months and then change it to a BMC/Green/KN filter for the remaining 6 months to 'feel' the difference. If still unsure buy another OE and run for 6 months and then stick the other one in.

 

[HTC]

I use the paper one. Nice and cheap.

 

[Peety]

Cheers peeps!! advice much appreciated!

This is just the start of many more questions to come!

 

[jonS3]

paper filter all the way on my remapped S3, much better filtration IMO....and cheaper.

 

[spiker]

On my first s3 I fitted a pipercross filter with the spray oil as directed
After 3000 miles I needed a new maf and was informed by my audi specialist garage that the filter contributed to its failure.

Coincidence ?

So I always stay with paper now

 

[james0808]

On my first s3 I fitted a pipercross filter with the spray oil as directed
After 3000 miles I needed a new maf and was informed by my audi specialist garage that the filter contributed to its failure.

Coincidence ?

So I always stay with paper now

And did they have any proof of the filter oil damaging the maf,i bet not.

Coincedence ?

Or maybe its just another maf that needed replacing.
Ive lost count how many times i have said this but how much money do you think Audi and others make from selling replacement maf's?
Why would they make them any stronger and loose out on all that loverly money.

 

[spiker]

james

you may well be right - it may have just been a coincidence - however ...

I did 80000 miles in my first s3 ( pipercross fitted after 60000 and then maf failed at 63000)
I did 30000 miles in my second S3 - paper filter no maf problems
I have done 25000 miles in my 3rd s3 - paper filter no maf problems

maybe I was just unlucky but as I didnt notice any improvement anyway in having the pipercross - I have decided not to buy anymore and take the risk

I suspect people should draw their own conclusions - just my two penneth

 

[james0808]

Coincidence is all it would have been.
Did the Audi specialist base their conclusions on any tests on the maf?

 

[spiker]

The 55 year old mechanic who has run his own audi/volks garage for 10 years said so

He previously worked for Audi and VW for 15 years

I have used him for 8 years and he is reliable / honest and does a great job servicing our cars.

His advice was that I should not use one as it had caused the maf to fail as the oil had contaminated the sensor

Hey maybe he was wrong - I dont know - why risk it ? Like I said I couldnt tell the difference anyway, as long as the paper filter is replaced regularly

 

[james0808]

That would be a no then.

I totally agree that there is no noticeable difference in performance with these filters.

 

[spiker]

So we agree then ? LOL

 

[james0808]

So we agree then ? LOL

On the performance gains,yes.