N00bie here....which air filter for my '03 Jetta Wolfsburg?

[2001VT]

I've read through most of the posts on this site and see varying opinions on oiled vs. paper filters. I have an '03 Jetta Wolfsburg with the 1.8T engine, tiptronic transmission. I've been using stock air filters to this point and started using Amsoil 5w30 and Amsoil oil filter at roughly 15,000 miles.

Which air filter do you recommend I use? (K&N, Fram AirHog, Amsoil, Napa Gold, Wix, Stock) Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Eddie]

OEM,PureOne or Napa Gold whould be my choises as I've have excellent preformance from all of then and I'm talking about 150,000+ miles on Saabs,Volvos and Jeeps.

 

[elwaylite]

I generally try and use purolator air and oil filters.

 

[TC]

No K&N, AirHog, or other cotton filters. They flow only modestly better, but allow in mini-boulders (sand). Take a K&N out of the box and hold it up against the store's overhead lights (I once did this at Pep Boys). You'll see little sand grain-sized "stars." No free lunch! Go with name brand paper media of some sort and change more often than called for. (My 2002 ride calls for 30K changes, but power drops off significantly by 20K, and I live in the asphalt suburbs.)

 

[D Stewart]

I've used K&N's in my Jetta diesels since 1984 (total of 6 cars). My record is 620,000km, with all being over 400,000km. The cars definitely work better and, even at 400,000km, the intake tracts are dust free

I clean and reoil the filter every spring and fall.
I now have a 2003 Corolla with 145,000km on it. Like all my cars, it's had a K&N since new and it's intake tract was squeeky clean when checked this weekend. Don't believe the doom-and-gloomers. Try it for yourself. My Corolla gained a solid 5 horses. It was noticealbe.
Paper filters are cheap to make, and are not cleanable, hence more money for the manufacturers. It's called planned failure.

 

[RedWolf4000]

All the paper air filters are the same.

All the cotton air filters are the same.

All the foam air filters are the same.

a FRAM air filter is just as good as a NAPA air filter.

Someone is going to tell you to count the pleets in the paper filter or notice how one brands foam edge came out of the mold nicer then the other.

THAT ALL MEANS NOTHING.

all paper are the same its not even a question worth asking, use whatever cost the least.

 

[elwaylite]

Dude chill, i suppose you think all oil filters are the same

. As long as you get a reliable brand name you'll be fine.

 

[RedWolf4000]

Nope. I said nothing about oil filters. I only use AC DELCO oil filters. But i will tell you you that i used FRAM for 150k miles and there really was no problem.

10k oil changes with m1 and an acdelco oil filter.

currently have 419k miles on my 1987 toyota 4x4. Still runs fine.

 

[RedWolf4000]

Just for the record, Sand size particles can not only be lifted into the air unless there were some big wind storm, and particles that size could never be carried up to the filter in the first place.

 

[pezzy669]

I would stick with the OEM air filter from Volkswagen and change it out at the recommended 40,000 mile intervals. It is a very good unit just like the top notch VW oil filters. Also all air filters are not the same, many vary in quality and filtering ability.

BTW it is completely possible for sand to get in the airbox. I have a '03 Golf TDI, when the snowscreen was intact it became a good 80% clogged with sand after about 10k miles, I cut it out and now I get sand in the airbox. I suggest you check the snow screen on your Jetta.

 

[Ken2]

Stick with Mann, Mahle, or (German) Bosch. You'll get top quality and you can find them for a reasonable price.


Ken

 

[Gerret]

Pezzy669 and Ken2 make good points. Vacuum the crap out of your snow-screen monthly and use an OEM (or other high-quality) air filter. As VAG (VW Audi Group) product owners, we are lucky that VAG has such good OEM suppliers (mostly).

 

[sxg6]

all air filters are the same? sand particles cant get into your engine compartment/intake area without a storm? give me whatever you're smokin..

 

[pezzy669]

quote:

---

Originally posted by sxg6:
all air filters are the same? sand particles cant get into your engine compartment/intake area without a storm? give me whatever you're smokin..

---

Reread my post, I was speaking with some guy who stated that all paper filters were the same and it did not matter what you bought. I corrected him in saying they were NOT the same.

Yes I have sand in my engine compartment, in the pre-filter area of my airbox, and even in the cabin pollen filter. Who knows where it comes from, maybe cars kicking it up on the roadways etc. I can take pictures if a visual representation would help you.

 

[sxg6]

i was referring to redwolfs reply

 

[pezzy669]

Oh sorry about that,

. Maybe I will take pictures to show redwolf.