Air Filter: K&N or no?

[LastLong]

Hi everyone,

What do you think about the air filter K&N for your BMW X5/X6 ?

Better or Cheaper than OEM from BMW Dealer? Or they have the same quality?

Thank you.

[socale39]

The problem with the K&N filters is that they have often been linked to faulting MAF sensors due to the excessive oil residue coating the sensor. Considering the negligible gains of just the filter change itself, I'd advise keeping it OEM and not having to worry about having potential issues.

[omgboost]

I would use the stock intake filter. Gains aren't there and I read someone modded their 1 series N55 motor to upwards of 500hp and still uses the stock airbox/intake.

[racermp]

Try afe dry filter

[Cattivo]

Originally Posted by racermp

Try afe dry filter

This

[Capnhook]

I've used k&n on 5 of the last 5 of my vehicles and not one has had issue with MAF. If you wanna shell out the $$ for basically nothing more than a filter you never have to replace (but DO have to clean), go for it.

[jrmccain]

Originally Posted by Capnhook

I've used k&n on 5 of the last 5 of my vehicles and not one has had issue with MAF.

Yeah, I've been using these filters for years, on my motorcycles as well, and have never had an issue. I personally think it's overstated and more urban legend than truth. Not to say its never happens, but if maintained properly, these filters will provide a lifetime of trouble free service. I would suspect the only time a MAF gets damaged is when the user goes overboard on the oil rather than lightly oiling the filter element.

[racermp]

Yea I've used k&n on my e90 and several other cars. Didn't have an issue except my first oeb that I wayyyy over oiled. Opps. Heheh. Well I never reoil these filters after I rinse them. I don't use the chemical to clean, just rinse.

If you do oil, do not oil the side that goes towards the throttle body. And lightly oil. If you are really worried, use the AFE air dry.

[omgboost]

Any sound difference?

[LastLong]

I bought this K&N air filter:


What shoud I use to clean it up?

[Hugo L.]

Originally Posted by LastLong

I bought this K&N air filter:


What shoud I use to clean it up?

K&N sells a kit that includes the cleaner fluid and the oil. 20$ or so.

[LastLong]

Originally Posted by Hugo L.

K&N sells a kit that includes the cleaner fluid and the oil. 20$ or so.

Is it a special product or can I use water to clean it up only?

[jrmccain]

Originally Posted by LastLong

Is it a special product or can I use water to clean it up only?

The benefit of the K&N oil filter system is that you can reuse the filter element again and again. I know that many proclaim the hp gains, increased throttle note and many other benefits, but in my mind the greatest is its reusability. Once you buy a K&N,or any oil filter element, you should not have to ever buy a new air filter again. At desired intervals you can clean and re-oil the filter and you go on your way.

There may be some minimal hp gains with this type of filter but I doubt you'll notice. As far as exhaust note, I've found that these filters, coupled with a cold air intake, (one that foregoes all the OEM sound baffling), will produce a much louder sound. Wether or not you can get a cold air intake for the X5 I do not know. For the X5M, there isn't, as I know, that option.

Oh, your original question. Yes, the filter cleaner is completely water soluble. I spray the filter thoroughly, let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then rinse it under the hottest water I can get. I then let it dry for 24 hours or over night on a fan.

To re-oil all you do is lightly spray the oil on the filter. I don't spray oil on the intake side because I feel enough oil is absorbed throughout the entire filter that I would rather not risk over doing it. The element itself is cotton, so absorbing the oil is not an issue. It's really not that complicated, after the 2nd time you're a pro! Hope this helps.

Filter Maintenance Kit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...hps_bw_g263_i1

[LastLong]

Originally Posted by jrmccain

The benefit of the K&N oil filter system is that you can reuse the filter element again and again. I know that many proclaim the hp gains, increased throttle note and many other benefits, but in my mind the greatest is its reusability. Once you buy a K&N,or any oil filter element, you should not have to ever buy a new air filter again. At desired intervals you can clean and re-oil the filter and you go on your way.

There may be some minimal hp gains with this type of filter but I doubt you'll notice. As far as exhaust note, I've found that these filters, coupled with a cold air intake, (one that foregoes all the OEM sound baffling), will produce a much louder sound. Wether or not you can get a cold air intake for the X5 I do not know. For the X5M, there isn't, as I know, that option.

Oh, your original question. Yes, the filter cleaner is completely water soluble. I spray the filter thoroughly, let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then rinse it under the hottest water I can get. I then let it dry for 24 hours or over night on a fan.

To re-oil all you do is lightly spray the oil on the filter. I don't spray oil on the intake side because I feel enough oil is absorbed throughout the entire filter that I would rather not risk over doing it. The element itself is cotton, so absorbing the oil is not an issue. It's really not that complicated, after the 2nd time you're a pro! Hope this helps.

Filter Maintenance Kit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...hps_bw_g263_i1

Great!! Thank you very much for these information.