Drop in filter?

[willyp]

So guys been doing a little reading and it seems like the drop in filter is the place to start. So which one is the best? Thanks in advance.

[THE-FN-MAN]

I like my AFE oiled one. But all
Of em seem to be pretty similar. I've heard to stay away from the dry

[willyp]

Yea I was thinking afe but wanted to see if that was the most common.

[aus]

Don't want to go too OT, but when did the larger filter start being used?

My filter for my 2008 doesn't fit my 2011 car.

OP, the main difference is some are cotton filters (you can wash them), and some are are paper filters without the charcoal layer. Supposedly, the charcoal free ones are used in Europe.

.

[C|3R1C]

Originally Posted by THE-FN-MAN

I like my AFE oiled one. But all
Of em seem to be pretty similar. I've heard to stay away from the dry

Why stay away from the dry?

[KJ]

Originally Posted by aus

Don't want to go too OT, but when did the larger filter start being used?

My filter for my 2008 doesn't fit my 2011 car.

OP, the main difference is some are cotton filters (you can wash them), and some are are paper filters without the charcoal layer. Supposedly, the charcoal free ones are used in Europe.

.

The filter is the same size, except for a nipple at the top on 2010+ filters.

The 2008-2009 filters have a charcoal filter which is really restrictive. That's why swapping these older filters is much more beneficial.

- KJ

[m3an]

K&N; can be found for 50$ on amazon

[THE-FN-MAN]

Originally Posted by C|3R1C

Why stay away from the dry?

I was told that the oil does about 90% of the "trapping" and that dry is more of a race thing when you need absolutely every last bit of power you can get. Not worth it in my opinion

[pbonsalb]

K&N has been making oiled filters longer than anyone else. They know how to do it. And they are priced reasonably for the E9x M3 application.

[m3an]

Originally Posted by THE-FN-MAN

I was told that the oil does about 90% of the "trapping" and that dry is more of a race thing when you need absolutely every last bit of power you can get. Not worth it in my opinion

yes oil does help w/ trapping. But oiled filters flow a little better, using the oil also to help filter. A dry filer does not flow the same, so in essence a oiled filter flows more cfm hence why I (at least) prefer oiled filters. there is no maf sensor to foul on these cars and IMO the people that do and then bad mouth the filter, don't know what they're doing

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by THE-FN-MAN

I like my AFE oiled one. But all
Of em seem to be pretty similar. I've heard to stay away from the dry

Originally Posted by THE-FN-MAN

I was told that the oil does about 90% of the "trapping" and that dry is more of a race thing when you need absolutely every last bit of power you can get. Not worth it in my opinion

I have been running dry for over 3K miles now..You have it reversed...the oil flows slightly better than the dry..but the dry filters better..and no need to mess with oil coating the intake tract

[mark896]

I've got an Active Autowerke's filter (green) and it's a great fit. I think I paid $70 for it.

[aus]

Originally Posted by KJ

The filter is the same size, except for a nipple at the top on 2010+ filters.

The 2008-2009 filters have a charcoal filter which is really restrictive. That's why swapping these older filters is much more beneficial.

- KJ

Weird, because my filter for my 2008 M3 is about 1 inch too short for the 2011 car.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by aus

Weird, because my filter for my 2008 M3 is about 1 inch too short for the 2011 car.

The intake setup changed a bit from for model years 2010

AFE makes one for the 2008-09 without the rubber end piece



and one for 2010-11 with the rubber end piece

[THE-FN-MAN]

Originally Posted by tibra1

I have been running dry for over 3K miles now..You have it reversed...the oil flows slightly better than the dry..but the dry filters better..and no need to mess with oil coating the intake tract

Right on. Now I've heard arguments for both hahaha. I'm no expert so I assume that since people rock em
On their cars with no issues, dry works quite well and is safe haha. I thought from a common since stand point that the oil would trap better just because of how sticky that crap is lol

[crabman]

Do a little searching and you will find that there are actual numbers on filtration. Whichever one you get makes little difference. I've seen nothing from an independent user who dynoed showing gains when it was done on a dyno that didn't belong to the people who sold it or the people who made it no matter what year. Unlike the older cars with the liner the newer ones don't get much of a savory sound improvement either. I could barely tell the difference between stock and the AA green filter.

[THE-FN-MAN]

Originally Posted by crabman

Do a little searching and you will find that there are actual numbers on filtration. Whichever one you get makes little difference. I've seen nothing from an independent user who dynoed showing gains when it was done on a dyno that didn't belong to the people who sold it or the people who made it no matter what year. Unlike the older cars with the liner the newer ones don't get much of a savory sound improvement either. I could barely tell the difference between stock and the AA green filter.

True true, I could hardly tell a difference as well and maybe im def but I couldn't really tell a difference in sound either. I suppose I need to freshen up my knowledge as well because I'm used to the older American cars (mustangs mostly) and I know there MAF's could easily get screwed up from to much oil on the filter but every tuner recommended an oiled one. Obviously the M3 is not a mustang

[m3an]

the m3 (current gen) doesn't use a maf, it's a map sensor.. And do a little searching; don't believe all you read either. The problems people have with oiled filters fouling maf sensors don't know what they're doing. I have been using K&N oiled filters for 10 years in all my cars w/ no issues ever.

[mark896]

Originally Posted by THE-FN-MAN

True true, I could hardly tell a difference as well and maybe im def but I couldn't really tell a difference in sound either. I suppose I need to freshen up my knowledge as well because I'm used to the older American cars (mustangs mostly) and I know there MAF's could easily get screwed up from to much oil on the filter but every tuner recommended an oiled one. Obviously the M3 is not a mustang

I could definitely tell a difference between the OEM paper and the AA--but only at wide open throttle. The engine sounded much throatier up front. Plus, in the long run, it's cheaper to have an oil immersion filter because they last forever.

Originally Posted by talontid

the m3 (current gen) doesn't use a maf, it's a map sensor.. And do a little searching; don't believe all you read either. The problems people have with oiled filters fouling maf sensors don't know what they're doing. I have been using K&N oiled filters for 10 years in all my cars w/ no issues ever.

I agree, been using oil immersion filters for 15 years, NEVER an issue on any of my MAF cars. You just can't oversoak it.

[THE-FN-MAN]

I was always worried I wasn't using enough oil back in the day lol. I would just give the filter a light "spritz" and it seemed to work find. Good to hear that I apparently don't need any oil

[ClyderGerman]

I've heard to stay away from the dry

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by ClyderGerman

I've heard to stay away from the dry

But why? Was there a reason behind the madness?