[V8] cheaper air filter

[Ed Kellock]

>From the archives


Pursued the air filter alternative mentioned in the email attached.

Had a look at http://www.mann-hummel.com/index.html?iKeys=1.1.572.0.0 and found that the BMW-spec filter is just a bit taller at 57.7mm versus 49.7mm for the Audi-spec one.

At the parts counter, the BMW part lists for about $15 and the Audi part is about $22.

The BMW part fits just fine.  At first it looked like the pleats might bind against the filter housing, but upon test fit, there was no contact.

The BMW filter has fewer pleats and gave me the impression that it might flow more air.  Given that it is spec'd for a 535i, I thought that may have been a design goal for the app.  The science of comparison is not perfect here though...  The filter they had for the Audi app was a Mann and the BMW one was a Mahle.  Not sure what differences should be contributed to the application or the manufacturer.  The Mahle filter was lighter, due to fewer pleats I suppose... probably not necessarily a design goal.  ;-)

I bought the BMW filter.

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	I990V8QUATTRO at aol.com
Sent:	Sunday, August 05, 2001 11:34 AM
To:	v8 at audifans.com
Subject:	[V8] cheaper air filter

A few months back i had the timing belt done on one of my v8 at a local shop here in Ct. the shop (Kam motorsport) also matched up an air filter made by mann. it was an perfect fit. Turns out its a $8 filter the part number was c39161. Whn i looked at ther web sight it says its for a 1988-1992 bmw 530 and a 1988-1995 bmw 535. hope this helps those of you out there lookin for a cheaper aif filter.  Allan