ITG vs BMC vs K&N

[muffinman]

I'm leaning towards BMC and ITG at the moment as I've heard really good things about them on our cars (but only from one or two users). I know tons of people have K&N and the verdict seems to be "so-so".. better than stock but not as quality as the other two.

I'm interested in learning more about ITG and BMC... the ITG can be had for around $65 while the BMC costs quite a bit more. Is the ITG much better than K&N? and is BMC much better than ITG? Trying to justify the price premiums...

Lastly, are there any NON-oiled performance air filters? Don't want to dick around with teh MAF sensor

Thanks in advance.

[jrok24k]

the only non oiled performance filter i know of is the AEM dryflow filter

[4RingRook]

I got the ITG about 2 weeks ago. It is oiled, but no where near as much as the K&N, so it doesnt cause MAF issues.

Overall, I've noticed less turbo lag, and another mpg or so on my last tank of gas. I'd definitely recommend the ITG.

[AWDTURBO]

I got the ITG about 2 weeks ago. It is oiled, but no where near as much as the K&N, so it doesnt cause MAF issues.

Overall, I've noticed less turbo lag, and another mpg or so on my last tank of gas. I'd definitely recommend the ITG.

do you have any pics of the engine bay

[whitevdub]

i have a bmc filter, and im able to hear the intake more and the gas mileage helps just alittle bit as well. id go with it

[AWDTURBO]

This is interesting i thought people were only doing EVOMS or CARBONIO

[4RingRook]

do you have any pics of the engine bay

I can take some pics, but it's a panel air filter that fits in the stock air box.

[AWDTURBO]

I can take some pics, but it's a panel air filter that fits in the stock air box.

oh its the size of the stock one ? with stock set up and stuff?

[agkellyboy]

ITG through AWE. I experienced too much heat soak at a summer AutoX to keep an open cone filter, went with ITG drop-in and love it so far.

[4RingRook]

oh its the size of the stock one ? with stock set up and stuff?

Same length and width to fit in the OEM air box. It's no where near the height or depth of the OEM paper filter. The ITG has 3 layers of foam to keep all the dirt, dust, leaves, and junk out of your engine. Also, the filter doesn't clog as easily causing reduced air flow.

[muffinman]

This is interesting i thought people were only doing EVOMS or CARBONIO

should've clarified - they're all drop-in replacement filters

4RingRook - thanks

whitevdub - i'm sure the BMC's are nice, just wondering if they're a $100 nice

[4RingRook]

Oh, and if you do order an ITG... get it from AWE-Tuning.

You'll get a free blow pop.

[rnp614]

BMC is king in my book. I'm LOVING mine. Its Italian so it must be good, right? ;)

[AWDTURBO]

Oh, and if you do order an ITG... get it from AWE-Tuning.

You'll get a free blow pop.

LOL why is this

Thanks for clarifying

[whitevdub]

should've clarified - they're all drop-in replacement filters

4RingRook - thanks

whitevdub - i'm sure the BMC's are nice, just wondering if they're a $100 nice

so far it's worth the 100 bucks in my book. i felt the difference right away. the stock filter is gigantic compared to it. shipping was pretty quick too. came straight from italy.

[4RingRook]

LOL why is this

Thanks for clarifying

AWE includes a blow pop or pops with each order. Just somethin they do.

[b7ftw]

ive never used ITG, but as far as BMC vs K&N i would highly suggest BMC... we replaced the airfilter in my dad's 6 series and first went with K&N but the outer edge "bled" for a good 1/2" all around which wastes a lot of surface area that could have been used to move air... we ended up going with a BMC filter, and the quality / fit is perfect (and no wasted space on the edges)

[Sharkfin]

Great I just bought the K&N for 45 bucks shipped, boo.

[Hammer]

Are there any dyno tests comparing the BMC/ITG to stock?

[elwigglero]

Are there any dyno tests comparing the BMC/ITG to stock?

You're not going to get any dyno'ed results from a drop in air filter...Maybe better throttle response and better sound.

Here's a link to the thread I started a few days ago on the same subject...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ht=drop+filter

Also, here's a thread in a MkV forum regarding the K&N drop-ins. It's a 2.0t, so it still applies.
http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76574

[Hammer]

You're not going to get any dyno'ed results from a drop in air filter...Maybe better throttle response and better sound.

Here's a link to the thread I started a few days ago on the same subject...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ht=drop+filter

Also, here's a thread in a MkV forum regarding the K&N drop-ins. It's a 2.0t, so it still applies.
http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76574

Thanks for the links. I used K&N on the other cars, but have been reading that it is actually detrimental for the A4 due to the air box design in the TSI. The ITG looks interesting, but I'm not sure about foam filters.

[MichiganAudiDvr]

This is all so confusing. It does not seem as if any aftermarket filter or CAI element provides anything better than stock.

[elwigglero]

This is all so confusing. It does not seem as if any aftermarket filter or CAI element provides anything better than stock.

You're not going to see any real power increases, but in theory, throttle response should increase and turbo whine will be louder.

[Hammer]

This is all so confusing. It does not seem as if any aftermarket filter or CAI element provides anything better than stock.

From what I've been reading, there's a lot of Devil's Advocate being played on here with regard to the drop in filters and short ram intakes. I have used K&N filters on a few cars and the results were positive. From my understanding, the critique in the A4 is not of the filter element itself, but rather the fitment issues in the OEM air box. I have around 5K miles on the car right now, so no need to replace the filter for some time. Figure I might as well do some research and see if any options superior to OEM exist for later on. BMC tends to have very positive feedback, but they are pricey.

[akasch]

I have an ITG it's pretty good, I have no experience with others so I cannot compare

[Hammer]

I have an ITG it's pretty good, I have no experience with others so I cannot compare.

Can you please elaborate on any differences you noticed over the OEM filter. Also, what did the ITG filter run you?

[RVT]

My contribution to the conversation is pretty minimal except to say I have been using K&N filters on all my cars and truck since 1979, and have never regretted it. It is and has been a good quality product made by a long standing and highly respected company in both the OEM aftermarket and professional race circuits around the world.
This is not to stomp my feet and say K&N is the best, nor will I debate the possibility of a K&N actually causing problems with an unusual intake or MAS design found on the Audi. But I can personally feel quite comfortable that K&N has an R&D department that is still designing one of the most respected products found on any race track today.

I just hope my Audi doesn't let me down, because in 30 years of driving, my K&N's never have....


Vince
I have my K&N, and am quite happy so far.

[wootwoot]

I just hope my Audi doesn't let me down, because in 30 years of driving, my K&N's never have....

I would say spending $50 or more and expecting more performance but instead getting a glorified noisemaker is a let down. Sure on a large inefficient V8 a K&N may make a difference but I have yet to see any proof that an air filter gives added performance to an a4.

[MichiganAudiDvr]

Did anyone else read this MkV forum regarding the K&N drop-ins.

http://www.golfmkv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=76574

This concerns me - they appear to have real data showing a performance drop with the K&N as a result of the airbox design and the hard sides of the K&N. Does anyone know whether our B7 airbox would fall victim to the same problem? Has anyone ever run a similar test on the B7 to see if the K&N actually flows more air?

I know APR has done tests with K&N vs. Carbonio, and found that Carbonio flows more air - but I don't think they ran K&N against Stock. I have a new K&N in my trunk right now, and I don't know whether to even put it in without some kind of B7 confirmation.

[RVT]

I would say spending $50 or more and expecting more performance but instead getting a glorified noisemaker is a let down. Sure on a large inefficient V8 a K&N may make a difference but I have yet to see any proof that an air filter gives added performance to an a4.

Perhaps, but then, performance has many connotations. The K&N typically offers it in several areas, including overall filtration capabilities.

Again, I’m not saying that there may not be a problem, but in K&N’s defense, I would ask for solid lab proof. So far, the only info I have seen is posted by amateurs, utilizing un-calibrated and properly verified hardware, in a completely uncontrolled and un-monitored environment. Technically speaking, that still means that their “facts� are far from it. (In the military, we called it “Rumors and Propaganda�.) As a trained aircraft mechanic, I’m not quick to jump on that wagon without something deeper to back it.

Have you, or anyone here been able to provide verifiable and “properly� documented comparisons between these K&N and OEM issues?

As for oil issues on MAS, K&N has this to say http://www.knfilters.com/faq.htm#27.

I would love the oportunaty to see hard data. Until then...

My 2 cents
Vince