Best replacement air filter

[Pk1]

Hi new on here.
Just bough my wife a 2008 2.0i and I’m very impressed with the feel of the ride, think I prefer it to my 4 series!
It runs nice but it really didn’t get a move on until after 4k rpm ? I filled it up with high octane fuel and added a bottle of redex and now after half a tank used it’s definitely pulling quicker from low revs.
My thought was to install a pipecross air filter but they dont seem to make one for the 2.0i so poss k&n ?
Can anybody tell me if the 2.0 roadster filter is different as I seem to be struggling to find any choice for the 2.0 e85
Any info would be appreciated .
Thanks
Paul

 

[road warrior]

there was a test conducted not too long ago where they compared the filters, thr best was the standard filter, piper was rubbish and k&n created a weak mixture and lost power.. so if i was you .. stay put they just made induction noise

 

[Smartbear]

there was a test conducted not too long ago where they compared the filters, thr best was the standard filter, piper was rubbish and k&n created a weak mixture and lost power.. so if i was you .. stay put they just made induction noise

I could understand the lean running on a carburettor engine (if no changes were made) but a modern injected one will detect any increased airflow & increase fuelling to maintain a correct air/fuel mixture? :?
Rob

 

[Silverzedtom]

I would take any figures you are given / read with a very large pinch of salt. The only real benefits to consider when keeping the standard air box and map imo are that re using the same filter is better for the environment and that you’ll get more induction noise from a less restrictive filter. Any performance gain is going to be marginal at best.

I’ve got a k&n panel in my standard box atm and it gives a little more induction noise higher up the Rev range. Would definitely recommend. I will put my findings on here when I put my AFE kit on, but I need a back box first

Edit: Don’t all e85’s / e86’s other than the M variants share the same air box? I’d check for you but am meant to be working at the moment! Have a look on ‘realoem’

 

[Magicarcher]

there was a test conducted not too long ago where they compared the filters, thr best was the standard filter, piper was rubbish and k&n created a weak mixture and lost power.. so if i was you .. stay put they just made induction noise

Based on my experience with my mini I would agree that fitting a K&N filter made no perceived difference to the performance and it decreased my fuel consumption marginally. It does sound throatier, but doesn't feel any different acceleration wise. I have had it out and in quite a few times and compared with a standard clean paper filter and I can't tell the difference. Filling up with 98 RON over 95 RON makes an appreciable difference though. I chose not to do it on my Z4 because I always inform insurers of car mods and my insurer considers it as an induction/exhaust performance mod, don't think it is worth the extra money.

 

[road warrior]

there seems to be 2 kinds of aftermarket filter - one that fits in the standard airfilter housing - and the cone type.. i think the cone type draws air from the warm air of the engine bay.. which is a bad idea of course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WV-vNGzzP_M

scottys thoughts

do a bit of searching and you will find the opposite said. so..

 

[patriot66]

I've had K&N panel filters in all my performance cars since the mid 80s. I've had one in my Z4 since I bought it 4 years ago. I clean it annually, lightly re-oil it and occasionally blow it out with my air line. It may be slightly louder than a paper filter but other than that I've never had any issues whatsoever, no flat spots, no oily MAF sensors or DISA valves etc etc

 

[road warrior]

I've had K&N panel filters in all my performance cars since the mid 80s. I've had one in my Z4 since I bought it 4 years ago. I clean it annually, lightly re-oil it and occasionally blow it out with my air line. It may be slightly louder than a paper filter but other than that I've never had any issues whatsoever, no flat spots, no oily MAF sensors or DISA valves etc etc

we may have to take a look over the weekend

 

[Pk1]

Seems to be some difference of opinion here

 

[road warrior]

its like brexit aint it...
which petrol
which filter
which oil
it goes on..
its like handbags at dawn in here sometimes

 

[Martin Knud]

there was a test conducted not too long ago where they compared the filters, thr best was the standard filter, piper was rubbish and k&n created a weak mixture and lost power.. so if i was you .. stay put they just made induction noise

Based on my experience with my mini I would agree that fitting a K&N filter made no perceived difference to the performance and it decreased my fuel consumption marginally. It does sound throatier, but doesn't feel any different acceleration wise. I have had it out and in quite a few times and compared with a standard clean paper filter and I can't tell the difference. Filling up with 98 RON over 95 RON makes an appreciable difference though. I chose not to do it on my Z4 because I always inform insurers of car mods and my insurer considers it as an induction/exhaust performance mod, don't think it is worth the extra money.

Hi,
What do you mean by "appreciable difference"?
I have tried normal 95 vs. Shell vpower 100. Could not tell a difference.

 

[GuidoK]

I use a stock air filter (from a decent brand like Mann filter) and my engine's pumping out a healty 380hp/465Nm due to a supercharger...
So I think the stock air filter can handle the 150hp/200Nm from the 2.0i without any problems :wink:

TBH I prefer stock filters over oiled filters like K/N: the MAF sensor sits only an inch or so right behind that filter.
One drop of oil leaving that filter and hitting the heated element in that MAF sensor, and your sensor is toast. (dealer price on that sensor is what? £300+?)
If you have an engine thats only MAP and not MAF it might be different, but most modern cars rely on MAF (because thats a more accurate way of measuring air, which translates in better emissions etc thus saleability in most countries), so you always have that delicate sensor in there.

 

[Pk1]

Pulled the plug and ordered a k&n so will see how it goes?

 

[Magicarcher]

Hi,
What do you mean by "appreciable difference"?
I have tried normal 95 vs. Shell vpower 100. Could not tell a difference.

I am pretty anal at monitoring fuel consumption, my car is mainly used to drive to work and back 25 miles of A & B roads each way and I travel early in the morning so not too affected by traffic. When I first started using momentum 99 I consistently recorded a fuel consumption improvement of 5-6% (K&N registered a minimal reduction in fuel consumption of less than 1mpg which isn't relevant as could easily be measurement error). The car 'feels' more responsive and runs smoother, although this is purely subjective. Having said all that, on my 3.0L Z4 I can't 'feel' much difference, but then I don't push it as hard as my 1.6L mini, there is no need.

 

[ph001]

Pulled the plug and ordered a k&n so will see how it goes?

You would have been a lot better off taking GuidoK's advice.

 

[patriot66]

Pulled the plug and ordered a k&n so will see how it goes?

Ref my earlier post, as long as you only oil it very lightly you will be fine. Just moisten it, spray just enough oil on to turn the element light pink on the side facing the airflow
You will need a cleaning/re-oiling kit some time in the future.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F381983680707
I clean and re-oil mine annually

 

[Mike6]

I believe that with 'premium' petrol you have to use it consistently over time to notice any appreciable difference. Dipping in and out with say supermarket petrol will not help.

 

[Billbob10]

I have a pipercross panel filter in my 3.0 it works well

 

[Billbob10]

I have a pipercross panel filter in my 3.0 it works well.

 

[Pk1]

I would have ordered the pipecross but it said it didnt fit the 2.0 but the k& n is the same for the 2.0 and 3.0 dont figure ? I have a feeling it would have fitted