Foam Air Filter Vs. K&N Air Filter--which one to choose?

[Zipperblues]

After reading all the different companies propaganda, I am completely lost on what air filter to buy. I’d like to get the best filter, which would allow my MINI to run as well as possible for as long as possible. Money is no object. Is the standard paper filter the best? Or is a K&N or foam filter best? I was considering giving this a try. http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NME2101/InvDetail.cfm Anything you can tell me about the different air filters, and their pros and cons would be much appreciated.

And while I’m at it, is the Fram Extra Guard oil filter any better than the standard filter?

I want to make sure my car is as healthy as possible, so any recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[St00ge]

A Cotton filter will flow better than a Foam filter when both are clean, but when you get a few miles/km on them, the Foam will outflow the Cotton.

[Zipperblues]

I got impatient and ordered the foam filter. I decided to do this because my brother told me that now all dirt bikes come with a foam filter stock. That alone convinced me.

[BlueZed]

I've used K&Ns in all of my cars prior to this and found them very good, but I've gone for a PPX foam insert this time for variety
I noticed pretty much no extra noise after fitting but the car seems to rev a little smoother.
One thing I might try later is to isolate the resonator attached to the airbox as this saps the induction noise a little bit. I removed it completely on a Focus and it gave a lovely extra growl under load. Might be worth a go if you don't want the extra expense or for some the excessive noise of an induction kit. Each to their own though really.

[Zipperblues]

Quote: Originally Posted by New-Zed

I've used K&Ns in all of my cars prior to this and found them very good, but I've gone for a PPX foam insert this time for variety
I noticed pretty much no extra noise after fitting but the car seems to rev a little smoother.
One thing I might try later is to isolate the resonator attached to the airbox as this saps the induction noise a little bit. I removed it completely on a Focus and it gave a lovely extra growl under load. Might be worth a go if you don't want the extra expense or for some the excessive noise of an induction kit. Each to their own though really.

I was worried about K&N because I heard that they just let all the dirt through. I'm glad to hear someone else here has used a foam filter before. Let me know how your above mentioned mod turns out. I don't want to change anything major on the car until I pay it off, but that seems like a good temporary mod.

[St00ge]

i have a foam filter on my car. So do heaps of ppl with MCSs. The ALTA cold air intake uses a foam filter.

[BlueZed]

Quote: Originally Posted by Zipperblues

I was worried about K&N because I heard that they just let all the dirt through. I'm glad to hear someone else here has used a foam filter before. Let me know how your above mentioned mod turns out. I don't want to change anything major on the car until I pay it off, but that seems like a good temporary mod.

Who told you the K&N would let all the dirt through? It's less restrictive than the paper ones but it should still be trapping the dirt particles that will damage your engine. If it did that they wouldn't be selling filters for very long! A version of the foam filter Pipercross make is used in the Cooper Sound kit and their whole selling point for the Works kits are that they are tested intensively to retain BMW approval in terms of your warranty so I find that a pretty good reason for choosing this option.

As I said previously there isn't much noticeable noise but response is better and it pulls a bit harder when booting it above 4500rpm. Worth doing, but I will have to see how it sounds in a year or two when I replace the exhaust

[Zipperblues]

Well, I just put in my foam filter and went for a test drive...

Its great. It really does feel smoother and it seems to have a little more pep. It may have sounded a tiny bit louder, but not enought to go out and buy one if you want more noise.

Overall, I'm very happy.

[BlueZed]

Yep you sound as mega-excited as I did after fitting it

It's definitely a very subtle mod that only the driver will notice really.

I think the next thing I will have to do is get a Bluefin anyway, that'll make better use of the extra airflow and hopefully improve the throttle response below the magic 4.5k. Like I say I'll fit a new exhaust in a year or two and then consider an induction kit depending on whether I want a bit more roar or not.

[MiniBimmer]

Hello
In relation to filter JR which your opinion?

Best Regards

[Mark 1]

Cotton air filter with cold air feed, if you dont have cold air feed then the induction kit can only utilise the 'hot' engine air. Foam filters deteriorate, cotton needs cleaning.

[BlueZed]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mark 1

Cotton air filter with cold air feed, if you dont have cold air feed then the induction kit can only utilise the 'hot' engine air. Foam filters deteriorate, cotton needs cleaning.

Induction kits probably do benefit from a cold air feed, but the standard airbox as discussed here is sealed and has a cold air feed from the front of the car as standard.

Would you be of the opinion that the foam will deteriorate with physical wear e.g. rubbing against the soundproofing under your bonnet, or from general use?

[herbie hind]

christ just pick one and enjoy ...we're talking about what? 1 h.p.? the price is not that diverse . so do it up man!!!

[BlueZed]

I already did mate!
Just waiting for the magical Cooper ECU to adjust the car to 219BHP so I can waste some GP owners!! :bigg rin:

[Bayliner]

I would go, and in fact I went, for the pipercross filters.
The foam filters (Pipercross) produce a very very very nice sound. The none foam filters produce a different sound, more high frequent. Installing a foam filter will give you the sound and volume of a sports exhaust!

Pipercross filters 90% wen dry and 99% when wet (oiled).
The foam filters have the highest flow. And can also be cleaned.

Get one with a vector cone, they have zero turbulance and will give the best results