Cleaning K&N Air Filter in ESS superchargered M3

polonus · 05-09-2016, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8k4

Environmental waste?

Hmmm.... M3 owners and tree huggers usually don't mix.

I think we should leave that waste problem to Prius drivers.

I don't think thoughtless wasting is acceptable by anyone, but changing air filter once per year and deposit the used one in the proper waste container will not harm anybody. M3 by design makes much more negative impact at our environment (big fuel thirsty engine, 9 quarts of oil etc.) then its used air filter, but we will survive. Earth is much tougher then most people think.

BNBM3 · 05-09-2016, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonus

Hmmm.... M3 owners and tree huggers usually don't mix.

I think we should leave that waste problem to Prius drivers.

I don't think thoughtless wasting is acceptable by anyone, but changing air filter once per year and deposit the used one in the proper waste container will not harm anybody. M3 by design makes much more negative impact at our environment (big fuel thirsty engine, 9 quarts of oil etc.) then its used air filter, but we will survive. Earth is much tougher then most people think.

There is a beautiful park near my house. Used to be a landfill. I'd say throw more air filters away, makes awesome parks.

Supercharged M · 10-28-2016, 02:22 PM

Wow, only read the first whole page, so maybe there was some good insight on page 2.... I have to say, this post really surprised me. First off, 15,000 miles I thought was a bit long to go between cleanings for this set up. The filter is in the very front, coated (lightly) with OIL.... 6" off the ground..... SUCKING IN AIR! Any type of dirt/small debris that hits it will stick. The 50k recommendation (which I think is a little high again) is for a filter inside an air box, with a fairly small inlet buried behind quite a few objects.

And as far as vegetable oil.... First off, like another poster mentioned, (when cleaning before oiling) you need to flush from the inside out, always... after you use the k&n cleaning agent to remove the old oil keeping all the dirt stuck to the filter. Then, did you put the vegetable oil in a spray bottle, or just dump a bunch on and try to dab it off, which would of course be too much in spots, and possibly none in other spots.

Guys, I've (as I'm sure many of you, though not too many in this discussion apparently) used K&N's on everything from cars/trucks to snowmobiles to fourwheelers, etc. etc. They're very easy to clean and you buy the cleaning kit ONCE and clean it who knows how many times.... A BUNCH. So your apparent $12 savings (which I would say is more like $40-$45 roughly) is the first time only. After that, your buying the filter at $30 according to some of you (I'd like to find that deal) or cleaning for free. Yes, time is money, but you're spending both to run down and buy a new filter!

Just my $.02!

roastbeef · 10-30-2016, 10:46 PM

the next time i clean my reusable filter (i actually enjoy it), i will be applying a pre-filter. i track my car and always wind up with bees, butterflies, and grasshoppers lodged in the filter fins. once i get the dead bugs out, the filter is as good as new. filter cleaner came with the intake, so it no additional costs.
if someone wants to buy a new filter, go right ahead, it doesn't bother me. these filters do last and look brand new when i'm done with them- thats no nonsense.

Supercharged M · 10-31-2016, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roastbeef

the next time i clean my reusable filter (i actually enjoy it), i will be applying a pre-filter. i track my car and always wind up with bees, butterflies, and grasshoppers lodged in the filter fins. once i get the dead bugs out, the filter is as good as new. filter cleaner came with the intake, so it no additional costs.
if someone wants to buy a new filter, go right ahead, it doesn't bother me. these filters do last and look brand new when i'm done with them- thats no nonsense.

Yep I agree. Only have around 5k on mine and won't be long before I clean it, and was thinking the same thing for sure about the "pre-filter" skin. Pretty much a must have imo.

kerrit · 11-01-2016, 02:28 PM

I had 2 years and 10k miles on my filter - had driven through heavy rain a handful of times during that period.

It was caving in because it was so clogged, with the engine trying to suck air through it. Very noticeable power/drivability difference with new filter.

I'll be replacing it yearly now after each winter.

Jitoo · 01-23-2018, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEllis

Time between cleanings is subjective in my opinion. Look at your filter... is it crammed with debris, dirt and bugs... clean it. Mine gets pretty bad after a long road trip and especially when driving in the evening (bugs).

I think a check-up is a good thing as well. K&N filters will develop holes if parts of the car are rubbing on them. The ESS kit is a tight fit and its probably worth making sure the filter is surviving the rigors of being sandwiched between the front bumper and wheel well liner.

Keep in mind the filter is the gateway to the inner workings of the motor. Ensuring it is doing its job effectively is the worth the time to either clean or replace it depending on your budget threshold for labor.

If you choose to clean it... buy the cleaning kit from K&N. If you want to replace it once a year (honestly not a bad idea given the abuse the filter takes) , Amazon has some good prices on the filter.

I love the color of the car in the pic, what color is it? Wrap or Paint?

kyrix1st · 01-23-2018, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polonus

Hmmm.... M3 owners and tree huggers usually don't mix.

I think we should leave that waste problem to Prius drivers.

I don't think thoughtless wasting is acceptable by anyone, but changing air filter once per year and deposit the used one in the proper waste container will not harm anybody. M3 by design makes much more negative impact at our environment (big fuel thirsty engine, 9 quarts of oil etc.) then its used air filter, but we will survive. Earth is much tougher then most people think.

Needless to say, I downshift daily due to the dense population of priuses here..

Did you know that you contaminate ocean more while building one prius because it has to travel around the world for different parts?

JEllis · 01-23-2018, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jitoo

I love the color of the car in the pic, what color is it? Wrap or Paint?

OEM BMW Individual Signal Green

10-28-2016, 02:22 PM	#47
Supercharged M Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Wow, only read the first whole page, so maybe there was some good insight on page 2.... I have to say, this post really surprised me. First off, 15,000 miles I thought was a bit long to go between cleanings for this set up. The filter is in the very front, coated (lightly) with OIL.... 6" off the ground..... SUCKING IN AIR! Any type of dirt/small debris that hits it will stick. The 50k recommendation (which I think is a little high again) is for a filter inside an air box, with a fairly small inlet buried behind quite a few objects. And as far as vegetable oil.... First off, like another poster mentioned, (when cleaning before oiling) you need to flush from the inside out, always... after you use the k&n cleaning agent to remove the old oil keeping all the dirt stuck to the filter. Then, did you put the vegetable oil in a spray bottle, or just dump a bunch on and try to dab it off, which would of course be too much in spots, and possibly none in other spots. Guys, I've (as I'm sure many of you, though not too many in this discussion apparently) used K&N's on everything from cars/trucks to snowmobiles to fourwheelers, etc. etc. They're very easy to clean and you buy the cleaning kit ONCE and clean it who knows how many times.... A BUNCH. So your apparent $12 savings (which I would say is more like $40-$45 roughly) is the first time only. After that, your buying the filter at $30 according to some of you (I'd like to find that deal) or cleaning for free. Yes, time is money, but you're spending both to run down and buy a new filter! Just my $.02!
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10-30-2016, 10:46 PM	#48
roastbeef Lieutenant General 11865 Rep 12,880 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Orange County, CA iTrader: (4)	the next time i clean my reusable filter (i actually enjoy it), i will be applying a pre-filter. i track my car and always wind up with bees, butterflies, and grasshoppers lodged in the filter fins. once i get the dead bugs out, the filter is as good as new. filter cleaner came with the intake, so it no additional costs. if someone wants to buy a new filter, go right ahead, it doesn't bother me. these filters do last and look brand new when i'm done with them- thats no nonsense. __________________ Instagram; @roastbeefmike
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11-01-2016, 02:28 PM	#50
kerrit Major 364 Rep 1,100 Posts Drives: Melbourne Red e90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 E90 M3 [0.00] 2014 M5 CP [0.00]	I had 2 years and 10k miles on my filter - had driven through heavy rain a handful of times during that period. It was caving in because it was so clogged, with the engine trying to suck air through it. Very noticeable power/drivability difference with new filter. I'll be replacing it yearly now after each winter.
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