K&N air filter... Does it filter cabin air?

Razor1973 · 09-03-2016, 02:30 PM

I purchased a replacement K&N air filter for my 2012 535i and just got it and noticed it doesn't have a cabin air filter like the factory one. Is it really not needed? Should I not install it? Thoughts?

Razor1973 · 09-03-2016, 03:07 PM

I guess the attachment didn't make it to the OP, so here it goes.

Stück · 09-03-2016, 03:40 PM

The engine air filter and the cabin air filter are not shared media...

There are completely different items in different parts of the car.

The cabin air filters are access from the passenger foot well.

Razor1973 · 09-03-2016, 03:52 PM

Got it. I assumed that white felt-like fabric was another cabin filter. What is it? And is OK that the K&N filter doesn't have it?

Stück · 09-03-2016, 05:00 PM

It is just a pre filter at the leading edge of the factory airbox. Not a big deal.

Razor1973 · 09-06-2016, 10:04 AM

Ah. Thank you!

lsturbointeg · 09-06-2016, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor1973

Ah. Thank you!

do you notice a difference in sound with that K&N drop in filter or any noticeable difference in maybe some power gains?

Razor1973 · 09-06-2016, 01:59 PM

No, but I am not the best judge on this. I usually drive with my windows up and music playing. And if there's any different in performance, it's too marginal for me to notice.

lsturbointeg · 09-06-2016, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor1973

No, but I am not the best judge on this. I usually drive with my windows up and music playing. And if there's any different in performance, it's too marginal for me to notice.

So if it's too marginal for performance why go K&N and not OEM...cheaper ?

Razor1973 · 09-06-2016, 03:40 PM

Bingo. Not to mention you only know this after you buy and install it.

DigitalNav · 09-06-2016, 08:20 PM

I just got this same filter, i feel like the turbo whistle is definite louder.

I got it since i run a racechip and wanted something that was more breathable for the intake to compensate for the added boost.

Car feels ALOT better since adding filter.

lsturbointeg · 09-07-2016, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigitalNav

I just got this same filter, i feel like the turbo whistle is definite louder.

I got it since i run a racechip and wanted something that was more breathable for the intake to compensate for the added boost.

Car feels ALOT better since adding filter.

K&N has been around like forever and i know using their product on my previous cars i just wasn't sure about their normal drop in filters. not sure if i'm better off getting a BMS or this

DigitalNav · 09-07-2016, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

K&N has been around like forever and i know using their product on my previous cars i just wasn't sure about their normal drop in filters. not sure if i'm better off getting a BMS or this

Was going to get a BMS too, glad I got this instead.

lsturbointeg · 09-07-2016, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigitalNav

Was going to get a BMS too, glad I got this instead.

How much did you end up paying for this and where did you purchase it from

DigitalNav · 09-07-2016, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

How much did you end up paying for this and where did you purchase it from

Think it was about $65, Amazon Prime 2 day delivery... car pulls so much better, has to be from the increased air flow that the turbo boost needs. Not to mention, its 96 F here these past few days so i cant wait once it cools down.

lsturbointeg · 09-08-2016, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigitalNav

Think it was about $65, Amazon Prime 2 day delivery... car pulls so much better, has to be from the increased air flow that the turbo boost needs. Not to mention, its 96 F here these past few days so i cant wait once it cools down.

Thanks

paul223 · 09-08-2016, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigitalNav

I just got this same filter, i feel like the turbo whistle is definite louder.

I got it since i run a racechip and wanted something that was more breathable for the intake to compensate for the added boost.

Car feels ALOT better since adding filter.

K&N has been around like forever and i know using their product on my previous cars i just wasn't sure about their normal drop in filters. not sure if i'm better off getting a BMS or this

Car feels strong with K&N than BMS.

snowfagarage · 10-17-2016, 12:09 PM

Anyone still looking for Cabin filter?

09-03-2016, 02:30 PM	#1
Razor1973 Private 14 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 535i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami, FL, U.S. iTrader: (0)	K&N air filter... Does it filter cabin air? I purchased a replacement K&N air filter for my 2012 535i and just got it and noticed it doesn't have a cabin air filter like the factory one. Is it really not needed? Should I not install it? Thoughts? __________________ Current: 2012 535i M Sport 6MT + 2019 Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription (PHEV) Past: 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i, 2008 BMW 535i 6MT, 2009 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 Volvo S80 V8 Sport AT, 2005 Volvo S60R 6MT, 2001 Audi S4 6MT, 1998 Volkswagen GTI VR6 6MT
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09-03-2016, 03:07 PM	#2
Razor1973 Private 14 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 535i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami, FL, U.S. iTrader: (0)	I guess the attachment didn't make it to the OP, so here it goes. Attached Images __________________ Current: 2012 535i M Sport 6MT + 2019 Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription (PHEV) Past: 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i, 2008 BMW 535i 6MT, 2009 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 Volvo S80 V8 Sport AT, 2005 Volvo S60R 6MT, 2001 Audi S4 6MT, 1998 Volkswagen GTI VR6 6MT
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09-03-2016, 03:40 PM	#3
Stück Major 801 Rep 1,214 Posts Drives: F15 X5, E46 330i, R56 Mini.S Join Date: May 2016 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (4)	The engine air filter and the cabin air filter are not shared media... There are completely different items in different parts of the car. The cabin air filters are access from the passenger foot well.
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09-03-2016, 03:52 PM	#4
Razor1973 Private 14 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 535i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami, FL, U.S. iTrader: (0)	Got it. I assumed that white felt-like fabric was another cabin filter. What is it? And is OK that the K&N filter doesn't have it? __________________ Current: 2012 535i M Sport 6MT + 2019 Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription (PHEV) Past: 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i, 2008 BMW 535i 6MT, 2009 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 Volvo S80 V8 Sport AT, 2005 Volvo S60R 6MT, 2001 Audi S4 6MT, 1998 Volkswagen GTI VR6 6MT
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09-03-2016, 05:00 PM	#5
Stück Major 801 Rep 1,214 Posts Drives: F15 X5, E46 330i, R56 Mini.S Join Date: May 2016 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (4)	It is just a pre filter at the leading edge of the factory airbox. Not a big deal.
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09-06-2016, 10:04 AM	#6
Razor1973 Private 14 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 535i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami, FL, U.S. iTrader: (0)	Ah. Thank you! __________________ Current: 2012 535i M Sport 6MT + 2019 Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription (PHEV) Past: 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i, 2008 BMW 535i 6MT, 2009 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 Volvo S80 V8 Sport AT, 2005 Volvo S60R 6MT, 2001 Audi S4 6MT, 1998 Volkswagen GTI VR6 6MT
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09-06-2016, 01:59 PM	#8
Razor1973 Private 14 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 535i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami, FL, U.S. iTrader: (0)	No, but I am not the best judge on this. I usually drive with my windows up and music playing. And if there's any different in performance, it's too marginal for me to notice. __________________ Current: 2012 535i M Sport 6MT + 2019 Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription (PHEV) Past: 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i, 2008 BMW 535i 6MT, 2009 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 Volvo S80 V8 Sport AT, 2005 Volvo S60R 6MT, 2001 Audi S4 6MT, 1998 Volkswagen GTI VR6 6MT
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09-06-2016, 03:40 PM	#10
Razor1973 Private 14 Rep 81 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 535i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Miami, FL, U.S. iTrader: (0)	Bingo. Not to mention you only know this after you buy and install it. __________________ Current: 2012 535i M Sport 6MT + 2019 Volvo XC60 T8 Inscription (PHEV) Past: 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i, 2008 BMW 535i 6MT, 2009 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 BMW 335i sedan 6MT, 2007 Volvo S80 V8 Sport AT, 2005 Volvo S60R 6MT, 2001 Audi S4 6MT, 1998 Volkswagen GTI VR6 6MT
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09-06-2016, 08:20 PM	#11
DigitalNav Lieutenant 118 Rep 465 Posts Drives: 2013 535i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Bay Area, California iTrader: (1)	I just got this same filter, i feel like the turbo whistle is definite louder. I got it since i run a racechip and wanted something that was more breathable for the intake to compensate for the added boost. Car feels ALOT better since adding filter. __________________ 2013 F10 535i M-Sport Alpine White Oyster/Black OEM M5 Exhaust with Resonator Delete
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10-17-2016, 12:09 PM	#18
snowfagarage I'm on Instagram as @snowfagarage 9 Rep 27 Posts Drives: AW N54 E92 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (3)	Anyone still looking for Cabin filter?
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