What PANEL Air Filter to Use?

[n733lk]

I am a new Clubby owner and understand that simply upgrading my OEM panel air filter to a Foam air filter, I can get a little more umph out of my engine.

True? Recommendations?

Thanks!

[J1JPE]

yes it's v true, ITG is the way to go , try Vecchio (site sponsor), M2 for sale, ebay, ITG website etc

[AntiSocial]

will fitting a non-MINI air filter effect manuf.warranty or insurance?

[Vecchio Engineering]

Quote: Originally Posted by AntiSocial (original)

will fitting a non-MINI air filter effect manuf.warranty or insurance?

The whole range of ITG Profilters for the R56's can be found here! Engine Performance - Welcome to Vecchio Engineering - The BMW and New Mini Tuning Specialists

The ITG panel filter can easily be swapped out for warranty work with the dealer. ALWAYS tell your insurance company. I cannot stress this enough! In most cases they will not charge you a thing.

After all the insurance people reserve the right to VOID your policy!

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by AntiSocial (original)

will fitting a non-MINI air filter effect manuf.warranty or insurance?

Yes and yes!

[KenL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vecchio Engineering (original)

The whole range of ITG Profilters for the R56's can be found here! Engine Performance - Welcome to Vecchio Engineering - The BMW and New Mini Tuning Specialists

The ITG panel filter can easily be swapped out for warranty work with the dealer.

Is that not cheating!

[TURBS]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Is that not cheating!

Yes! does it matter though. Mini cheat us out of enough money for stupid things. Whats a panel filter going to do anyways?

[Vecchio Engineering]

Quote: Originally Posted by KenL (original)

Is that not cheating!

YES! I suspect a large number of forum members have invalidated their warranty.

[stono jnr]

Quote: Originally Posted by Vecchio Engineering (original)

YES! I suspect a large number of forum members have invalidated their warranty.

why does it invalidate the warranty ? it might be a stretch to call it a consumable, but the paper ones do need replacing ultimately, and Ive not read anything that says you shouldnt replace it yourself, or only seek a dealer replacement for it

I can understand removing the air filter completely could be seen as a bad idea for an engine warranty claim but replacing the existing filter with an acknowledged better air filter, dont quite see where the problem is.

Stono

[TURBS]

Agreed!

[robble]

Quote: Originally Posted by stono jnr (original)

why does it invalidate the warranty ?
...but replacing the existing filter with an acknowledged better air filter, dont quite see where the problem is.

Stono

better FLOWING air filter. Not a better filtering filter.

[j1auto]

Quote: Originally Posted by robble (original)

better FLOWING air filter. Not a better filtering filter.

This is so true...Air Filters are primarily there to filter the air, so getting a good filter efficiency is more important than letting more air through.

Replacing an OEM filter with an inferior (less efficient) filter could easily invalidate the warranty if the engine fails due to ingress of particulates.

I've been working in the Induction business long enough to realise that there is a fine line between increased performance and high filtration efficiency.

[TURBS]

Thats why you go with foam filters as they can get cacked in dirt and still pull more air than an OEM one with much better filtration. Have you ever looked at the amount of dirt on the intake side of a paper filter or K&N, there is **** loads, whereas you will find that foam don't have even half as much if any.

[j1auto]

Quote: Originally Posted by TURBS (original)

Thats why you go with foam filters as they can get cacked in dirt and still pull more air than an OEM one with much better filtration. Have you ever looked at the amount of dirt on the intake side of a paper filter or K&N, there is **** loads, whereas you will find that foam don't have even half as much if any.

A dirty filter means its doing its job.

If I had a clean filter at the time of replacement, I would be very worried - this means all the **** has gone into the engine!!!

Paper filters are about 99.8% efficient - 0.2% of all dirt gets into the engine.
Cotton filters are between 92-97% efficient.
Foam filters are between 30-70% efficient - thats a lot of dirt getting into the engine - who knows what its doing?

[robble]

Quote: Originally Posted by TURBS (original)

Have you ever looked at the amount of dirt on the intake side of a paper filter or K&N, there is **** loads, whereas you will find that foam don't have even half as much if any.

very true. because at least half the dirt entered your engine!

you want the best flow? don't even use a filter.