After reading many threads on the forum about not leaving it too long to change the air filter, since my car is up to 30k, I thought I'd go and get myself a replacement air filter and fit it myself. Never bothered to check the state of the current filter as I assumed it to be stock. Imagine my surprise when I come to replace the filter to find that the previous (and first) owner of my car fitted a K&N panel filter replacement!

Thats always nice, now you need to buy a cleaning kit instead

Bonus

I put a fresh filter in mine a couple of weeks ago, what a difference, seems more willing and eager under acceleration, and the mpg is up too.

Yes - a bonus indeed! I did wonder a little why my fuel consumption has remained consistent since the day I have had the car (done nearly 18k miles so far) when others on the forum had remarked how the fuel consumption plummets once the air filter gets clogged on. On the K&N site, it says that the filter only needs cleaning every 50k miles, does anyone know if I should wait that long or clean it sooner? it looked all right when I took it out this evening to have a look!

James, can I ask what sort of mpg you're getting? Mine is a 1.9TDI Elegance like yours. I'm getting about 53mpg on the computer but real world indicates more like 48mpg - this is a mix of urban and national speed limit A roads.

Right then, back to the Skoda garage to see if they'll take back an unused air filter!

I might just have to order one ready for my 1.8 when it arrives.

What is the part number and who's the best place to order one from?

Very nice

Yes - a bonus indeed! I did wonder a little why my fuel consumption has remained consistent since the day I have had the car (done nearly 18k miles so far) when others on the forum had remarked how the fuel consumption plummets once the air filter gets clogged on. On the K&N site, it says that the filter only needs cleaning every 50k miles, does anyone know if I should wait that long or clean it sooner? it looked all right when I took it out this evening to have a look!

James, can I ask what sort of mpg you're getting? Mine is a 1.9TDI Elegance like yours. I'm getting about 53mpg on the computer but real world indicates more like 48mpg - this is a mix of urban and national speed limit A roads.

Right then, back to the Skoda garage to see if they'll take back an unused air filter!

Yes, I'll work the mpg out for you. You need to be careful with the lubricating solution for K+N filters as if any is sucked in, the MAF can be damaged. You may find filtration isn't as good either, especially if the solution hasn't been applied thoroughly, you can end up dragging particles through. Have a search on the net for articles on this, I am sure you find some. I find if you change at 2000 - 2500rpm you get the best mpg, as the turbo is nicely spooled up doing its intended.

Edited 25 July, 200916 yr by jamesmckelvie

If you decide to leave it in there, I'd consider telling your insurance company. Technically, it's a performance upgrade.

Don't want to give them an excuse not to pay up :eek:

K&N panels are great. had them on 3 of my cars.

the MAF sensor is an issue but you only need a light spray for it to work. i would actually consider using a pipercross cleaning kit as there dirt retention fluid is better.

would bother with saying to the insurance, they wouldnt find it and its only a 2sec job to change. plus panels dont tend to void warrenties anyway so insurance wouldnt be an issue tbh.

my green one said every 5-8k miles, but i do it when it looks dirty enough. when coming to re oiling them one squirt in a downwards direction on each fin is what jkm recommended to me when i purchased my cleaning kit.

would bother with saying to the insurance, they wouldnt find it and its only a 2sec job to change. plus panels dont tend to void warrenties anyway so insurance wouldnt be an issue tbh.

I'm sure if an insurance company were facing a huge payout because you've paraylzed someone in a crash, they would notice and care about an undeclared performance upgrade.

Something to consider also; if the crash is bad and you're hospitalised, how are you going to swap out the K&N filter?

IMHO, declare it, don't take a chance just for a few £.