Best drop-in intake filter options?

[303 Spartan]

I'm looking to replace the stock air filter in my OEM air box. On previous cars, I've stuck with "dry" air filters to prevent excessive oil build up on the MAF sensor and intake tract. As a result, I'm leaning towards the AFE Dry filter (LINK). They also have an oiled version (LINK).

It's been years since I've done any real research on air filters. However, I do recall AFE making a solid product. The oiled filter has an obvious potential downside but I have MAF cleaner and have no problem removing and cleaning the sensor at each 5k oil change. That said, I suppose my question is whether there is any real advantage to going with an oiled filter vs dry filter, on this car?

I'm open to thoughts/suggestions.

[doughboy17]

I love my AFE dry filter and could not believe how clean it was after 20K miles.

[303 Spartan]

I love my AFE dry filter and could not believe how clean it was after 20K miles.

Out of curiosity, have you tried removing the filter and feeling the inside of the inlet pipe to see if any notable amount of dust got through?

As I said, I'm usually a fan of dry filters but I've recently read that one of the downsides to dry filters is that they allow more dust through, which the oiled filters would have caught.

[ywang98]

I used to use K&N on my other older cars, but I found that after a while, there is a thin film of dust and oil in the intake pipes. So, I stopped using K&N. On my R32, I used a multi-layered sponge type filter. It was a little better.

I was looking at that AFE filter, but it isn't an "OEM" style filter. It's a universal type that needed a hose clamp. I may just stick with the OEM filter, unless there is a good dry one out there. But since RS5 isn't a "high volume" car, I don't know if any company is willing to develop something close to the OEM filter.

[scsu]

I used to use K&N on my other older cars, but I found that after a while, there is a thin film of dust and oil in the intake pipes. So, I stopped using K&N. On my R32, I used a multi-layered sponge type filter. It was a little better.

I was looking at that AFE filter, but it isn't an "OEM" style filter. It's a universal type that needed a hose clamp. I may just stick with the OEM filter, unless there is a good dry one out there. But since RS5 isn't a "high volume" car, I don't know if any company is willing to develop something close to the OEM filter.

So, a few years ago I installed a K&N in my Ford F250 7.3L turbo diesel. That engine had a 3500 mile engine oil change interval. I didn't change oil, rather I pulled oil samples at 3500 and let the lab tell me when it needed changed. My 1st sample after installing the K&N, my silicone levels were super high. Inspected/tested air intake system and no faults found. Changed engine oil & filter, resample 1000 miles later and silicone levels again super high. Only thing the had been done prior to the 1st high silicone sample was the air filter. Changed back to a paper Wix brand, Changed engine oil & filter, resample 1000 miles later and silicone levels were normal. Obviously I don't know if it was a defective filter or because it was a oiled one. But, I'll never use either that brand or oiled filter again.

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[303 Spartan]

I ended up ordering the AFE dry filter from ECS tuning (LINK). It arrived yesterday and despite the site clearly indicating that it fits the B9 RS5 (see below screenshot), I see absolutely no way this filter is going to fit. Am I missing something?












Even if the AFE filter was round at the connection point, the OEM airbox doesn't have a housing for it to pop onto. The OEM filter just hugs against the opening to the inlet and the top of the filter connects to a clip that holds it in place. I'm going to submit a ticket for a return/refund but before going through that, I just wanted to check here and ensure I wasn't completely crazy.

Side Note: Despite my car only having 8500 miles on it, the OEM filter and the inside of the filter box were nasty. Tons of dirt, leaves and other crud. Before taking the pictures above, I already vacuumed out the air box and the OEM filter. So what you see is remnant AFTER cleaning it with a high powered vacuum.

[ywang98]

I ended up ordering the AFE dry filter from ECS tuning (LINK). It arrived yesterday and despite the site clearly indicating that it fits the B9 RS5 (see below screenshot), I see absolutely no way this filter is going to fit. Am I missing something?

Oh man, it's worse than I thought!

Remember I said that the ECS offering was just an universal one, not application specific? It appears that it is worse then that...

[303 Spartan]

Oh man, it's worse than I thought!

Remember I said that the ECS offering was just an universal one, not application specific? It appears that it is worse then that...

At first I thought that the filter had just been squashed, somehow. But the top of the cone is clearly designed to be this oval shape and after taking a closer look at pictures on the site, the product pictures also show the oval design. I hadn't previously opened the OEM air box to inspect the filter, so when I opened the AFE box, I just assumed the OEM filter would have a similar shape. That is most definitely not the case.

I usually have good luck with ECS Tuning but this is now the 2nd product they've sent me in the last two weeks, which does not fit as specified by their site. As a result, I'm now on my 2nd RMA, for two completely different parts. I don't know who is in charge of updating their vehicle fitment specifications but, needless to say, I no longer trust them.

On another note, I did learn that our OEM filter does not attach to the inlet/airbox like standard filters do. So any aftermarket filters will have to be specifically made with the clip mechanism (like nothing I've seen before) that the stock filter uses. Because of this, as you mentioned, it is unlikely we will have to many filter options. Which is a shame because the OEM filter is one of the most restrictive I've ever seen. For this reason, I am now more than likely going to end up shelling out $$$ for an aftermarket intake, just so I can get a less restrictive filter.

[thadoggfatha]

At first I thought that the filter had just been squashed, somehow. But the top of the cone is clearly designed to be this oval shape and after taking a closer look at pictures on the site, the product pictures also show the oval design. I hadn't previously opened the OEM air box to inspect the filter, so when I opened the AFE box, I just assumed the OEM filter would have a similar shape. That is most definitely not the case.

I usually have good luck with ECS Tuning but this is now the 2nd product they've sent me in the last two weeks, which does not fit as specified by their site. As a result, I'm now on my 2nd RMA, for two completely different parts. I don't know who is in charge of updating their vehicle fitment specifications but, needless to say, I no longer trust them.

On another note, I did learn that our OEM filter does not attach to the inlet/airbox like standard filters do. So any aftermarket filters will have to be specifically made with the clip mechanism (like nothing I've seen before) that the stock filter uses. Because of this, as you mentioned, it is unlikely we will have to many filter options. Which is a shame because the OEM filter is one of the most restrictive I've ever seen. For this reason, I am now more than likely going to end up shelling out $$$ for an aftermarket intake, just so I can get a less restrictive filter.

That is a shame. On the plus side if your looking into an upgraded intake. APR will be releasing a really nice one along with a very clean inlet design. joeyoro also has been designing a pretty nice system with a 4 inch intake. I included the link below:
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...ke-Inlet-Combo

[coolwater]

I have the BMC one in the RS5. Really excellent quality, perfect fit and no complaints about performance.

https://tagmotorsports.com/bmc-high-...-rs5-a4-s4-rs4

-cW


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[303 Spartan]

That is a shame. On the plus side if your looking into an upgraded intake. APR will be releasing a really nice one along with a very clean inlet design. joeyoro also has been designing a pretty nice system with a 4 inch intake. I included the link below:
https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...ke-Inlet-Combo

Yeah, I've been waiting out APR's intake. Apparently it will be released, any time now. I'm just really hoping that they provide a non-CF version so I don't have to spend $1k to get a better flowing filter.

I have the BMC one in the RS5. Really excellent quality, perfect fit and no complaints about performance.

https://tagmotorsports.com/bmc-high-...-rs5-a4-s4-rs4

-cW


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That looks great! Judging by the pictures, it has the exact clip mechanism as the OEM filter and should just snap right in. Unfortunately, it's out of stock and I'm also quite weary of oiled filters, to be honest. If it was a dry filter and in stock, it would be EXACTLY what I was looking for.

So close. Thanks for the heads up!