Best air filter?

Just picked up a preowned car with the K&N filter. Don't like what Ive read about them so its coming out ASAP. No time or desire to clean and oil it either.
Get it gone and buy something that's been proved to be effective. genuine but possibly not aftermarket OEM, or another brand that's done well in tests IMO.
 
Last edited:
Just bumping this again to see what the latest groupthink is. Need to replace cabin and engine air filters for a family member's car. Was thinking about Carquest Premium given how well their oil filters do. They are a little expensive though. Are they worth it?
 
Just bumping this again to see what the latest groupthink is. Need to replace cabin and engine air filters for a family member's car. Was thinking about Carquest Premium given how well their oil filters do. They are a little expensive though. Are they worth it?
Mahle and Hengst make good pollen filters, get the activated carbon version. Mahle make good cabin but apparently not engine air filters.
 
Mahle and Hengst make good pollen filters, get the activated carbon version. Mahle make good cabin but apparently not engine air filters.
Mahle makes the Nissan OEM filters, and I had an engine air filter gasket on one fail. I posted it here. Others here said it was an issue with the material mold process. So I won't be buying any Mahle anything anymore.

I do like Hengst oil filters, so I would try a Hengst air filter for sure.
 
Mahle makes the Nissan OEM filters, and I had an engine air filter gasket on one fail. I posted it here. Others here said it was an issue with the material mold process. So I won't be buying any Mahle anything anymore.

I do like Hengst oil filters, so I would try a Hengst air filter for sure.
Hengst, Alco and OEM (not aftermarket OEM) engine. I agree Mahle engine aren't great, even that test confirms that. I'd go Hengst for Pollen and Air. Their oil filters seem good too.
 
I didn't recommend Mahle.
Yes, but you said
Hengst, Alco and OEM (not aftermarket OEM)
So what if OEM is Mahle? This is the problem with this filter thread in general (but not neccesarily you). People are quick to say "just buy OEM", but OEM's don't make filters - Air, cabin air, or oil. So before you buy an OEM filter you sort of need to know who made it.
 
Mann engine air filters and cabin air filters are fine for European vehicles.
I just installed a Mann engine air filter and cabin air filter in our 2019 VW Tiguan. The fit for both are excellent. They are both well made. And, they are both made in Germany.
 
I have driven Honda exclusively for many years, use only OEM filters, they fit and seal perfectly. They are paper that appears to be VERY lightly oiled, never enough to leave a film on the plastic wrap the come in. I've always wiped out the airbox with a damp cloth when I change filters, never found any dust or film in the intake post-filter. Not worth looking elsewhere. When WIX was truly Wix, (also made NAPA filters) they were virtually OEM quality, now, not so much. I'll stick with OEM.
 
I have driven Honda exclusively for many years, use only OEM filters, they fit and seal perfectly. They are paper that appears to be VERY lightly oiled, never enough to leave a film on the plastic wrap the come in. I've always wiped out the airbox with a damp cloth when I change filters, never found any dust or film in the intake post-filter. Not worth looking elsewhere. When WIX was truly Wix, (also made NAPA filters) they were virtually OEM quality, now, not so much. I'll stick with OEM.
The last WIX made NAPA air filter that I bought for my F-150 was better quality than the equivalent Motorcraft filter. I don't know who makes the new NAPA air filters. I wonder about the quality and fit.
 
I'll be trying the Pentius air filter next time.
Thanks. I appreciate your recommendations.

Ended up going with a Purolator One for the engine air filter. It had some extra batting on the bottom of the filter. Seal was good. Appeared well made. I didn’t have a lot of time to order online. Did the Advance Auto online order and in store pickup. Used Carquest Premium for the cabin filter. Seemed overpriced, but their oil filters are so good. They were out of other good options.
 
Keep us posted on the quality. Hopefully it’s as good as their oil filters.
That's my hope-- that the oil filters are indicative of general quality.

That said, I'm not one to frequently replace air filters. I firmly believe (from years of actual experience in a professional setting) that an air filter should seal well and be changed only when the restriction becomes excessive.

Think "filter minder" on off-highway equipment and you get the idea.
 
Back
Top Bottom