Air Filter Recommendations
 

I would like to know what you guys like using for your air filters. I always thought K&N was a good brand, but the guys at autozone told me this was not the case. I was somewhat doubtful of his response, but what do you use? I have a 2000 Boxster S.

I bought a Fram... from RockAuto Parts online... paid $12 on a closeout special.

Evo Hi Flo cone filter, lightly oiled.

Mahle
 

I use Mahle and think it's a good choice. I've bought K&N before for other vehicles and in my opinion they're an over priced scam.

2000 Boxster with K&N with no issues.

1999 Boxster with K&N with no problems.

I have used K&N filters on my Cars,Motorcycles and jetski's never any issues with them.

Porsche OEM paper filter.

I've had a BMC filter in there for the last 25k miles and I like it.

I would stay away from K & N if you plan to keep your car long term. The filter simply allows too much dirt into your engine in the long run.

Ended up getting OEM

I've never had a problem with K&N in any application I use. The myth of allowing to much dirt comes from suppliers of disposable paper filters not moving their products.

Since you decided on an OEM replaceable good luck, I was going to give you one of my K&N's. I have two but don't need them anymore because I installed a EVO.

i'll gladly step in and be a recipient of a 'free' K & N :cheers: i'm a noob but i'm a great guy and love K & N

While some have experienced K&N induced MAF problems, many have not. The theory is some folks over oil them. I don't like them for my Box, but have them on the 914.

I wouldn't put TOO much stock in what the flunky at Autozone says.

I would think that the OEM filter is fine, or go K&N. Unless you spend a lot of money and put on an afterarket intake - I can't imagine that the k&N stock replacement would make a difference that you would feel..

anyone here actually hear or feel a difference in performance after putting in a K&N stock replacment filter?

K&N has been around for a long time.

It was first used only by racers who wanted more air into their engines. The tradeoff was more dirt and grit simply because in simple terms, the holes are bigger - that's how it lets in more air.

Racers didn't care because their engines were constantly being rebuilt- price of admittance.

But, having pretty much saturated the racing market, K&N started hocking it to consumers for it's longevity, or re-usability, not it's performance.

It was marketed as the 'Million Mile Filter', replacing a few dozen Fram, Autolite or AC/Delco's a consumer would use over the same span of miles. The fact that it offered less protection (which is the opposite of what you want in a street car) was never mentioned, and since cars of the day rarely lasted more than 50k mi., excess wear never really showed up.

Fast forward and today many people use them seeking the performance benefits, disregarding the additional wear. Most of the dirt passed through one is silicate (read sand), and much of this works it's way into your oil, to be circulated around the engine.

There are no free lunches. Many experts have pointed to the K&N as a cause of early MAF failure and there's lots of anecdotal evidence too. If you want the performance of a K&N, be sure to use much less oil than called for when 'refreshing' it, and also consider shortening your oil change intervals as well.

:cheers:

This is a good question and probably timely for me. I priced a NAPA cabin filter and puked at what they came back with. So, for wise economy and effective performance, where do you point for air filters?

Was it the activated carbon filter? For a convertible that's an absolute waste of money unless you spend a lot of time with the top up, or use the hardtop. The plain paper filter works just as well filtering and is much cheaper. NAPA doesn't carry it, but the dealer does and it's MUCH cheaper.

Their air filters (NAPA) lists for $26.99, comparable to dealer price.

:cheers:

assuming the K&N does affect the engine by letting more dirt in - is there REALLY a gaint o be had by just dropping one in?

i changed to a K&N on a past car and did notice a gain - but that car was turbucharged, and intake/exhaust mods provide a bigger bang for the buck on forced induction cars....

on our cars - does a simply drop in replacemenet K&N filter add any power you could feel???

i had the K&N on my Racing Beat "cold air" intake for my heavily modified Miata. The intake was awesome for the money spent. Great sound and a marginal increase in power. Not bad. The problem was that whenever I removed the filter to clean it, the thing was just filthy. the sink in my garage was full of grit, sand and all manner of debris. I'm not really sure what it was filtering! large birds? great.... I have to think that much of that was making its way past the filter. :(
Not doing that with the Boxster I thought.

I use the the Mahle from PAP-Parts or Autohauz. I don't see a reason not to.

Perfectlap,

Did you read what you wrote? Let me quote you;"The problem was that whenever I removed the filter (K&N) to clean it, the thing was just filthy. the sink in my garage was full of grit, sand and all manner of debris." Then in the same breath,"I'm not really sure what it was filtering!"

Let me tell you what it was filtering...GRIT, SAND and ALL MATTER OF DEBRIS!!

Was your paper filter that dirty when you replaced it? No? Then you should ask yourself,"I'm not really sure what it was filtering!"

Air flowing through a tacky oil impregnated cotton media will catch more dirt than a dry paper filter. If the dirt is caught in the paper the draw of air can work it through. Once dirt is caught in oil its there to stay until the break down solution is used to clean the filter.

P.S. If you had that much crap in your filter you might want to check it more often.