I'm wondering guys when I'll be about changig my air filter would it be worth putting a K&N filter in instead of OEM Mann?To be honest I only have a tiny 1.2 htp not a beast 1.9 tdi.I don't want a race filter just a proper unit that might give some benefit over the odd one.Thanks for your replies!

Probably cheaper to stick with the OEM ones. Doesn't do a huge amount, and if you don't intend to do anything else to the car then it may be a little pointless.

Depends what milesage the car is on...

How long you are looking to keep it.

It would help the engine to breathe easier... but thats about it.

Might get slightly better throttle responce.

But marginal.

Michael

I have the Pipercross one in mine

I got a bit extra MPG out of mine too

Just take it out every service , give it a quick clean

Chucked it away after 60k

Saved me £30 in air filters , approx 4MPG more and only cost me £28 + VAT

So I was pleased just with them results

Sarah

If you are only worried about improving the filter "flow" over time, why don't you consider taking the element out every 6 or 12 months and clean the larger bits out of it by using a hoover - suck from the inlet side (nearest the air pickup tube only - then change with VAG or an OEM one (Mann or Knecht same company) if they are cheaper, but check on-line to make sure you get sold exactly the correct p/n. Remember if you go to a VAG marque "car show" you might find a local VAG trader "doing" a good price - so buy ahead and save money.

BTW I've bought a few K&N elements in my time and usually sold the cars a couple of years later (fool!).

Thanks for your thoughts guys! Yes it's about the airflow 1.2 never gonna be a vrs. :-( Maybe I give it a try if I can get a bargain filter. Until that I get down to cleaning. Cheers!

I got a K&N off eBay which had been used but cleaned. The benefit, I guess, is it saves about a fiver off every service, and the throttle response is ever so slightly better.

K&N make a good filter which has a high throughput of air compared to OEM filters, and therein lies the problem, the original filter filters the gunk out and reduces the airflow at the same time, this means that the performance of the engine is dependant on settings of the engine management system. When an engine has been well run in these factors cannot be maintained and a K&N filter has negligable effect by allowing more air into the engine to balance out the fuel system already alowing more fuel than is necessary. A newer engine has tighter tolerances and a K&N filter would weaken the fuel mix by allowing more air to pass through than is necessary to maintain an already optimal fuel/air mixture.

Best to stick with the original filter unless you want the hassle of additional work to make it all work

What effect does one of these filters have on your insurance premiums?

As far as I'm aware it's not a mod per-se so would not need to be notified.