Hello everyone!

I ordered this product, and it will ship today or tomorrow at the latest (free FedEx shipping). Combined with no local tax and free shipping, I believe I got a good deal $50.99 out the door. That said, this is the only engine mod I'd do. I steered away from the oil based product because I've read horror stories of warranty getting voided, etc.

I can still cancel, or send it back without opening it if:

- There's no real evidence of gains as advertised (gas mileage, horse power and torque)
- The ONLY benefit is saving money on filters because they're reusable (I'm currently on the free maintenance program)
- The possibility exists this MAY actually do more harm than good compared to the OEM paper filter.

Therefore, I ask if anyone has had (or currently has) personal experience with these devices and are willing to share.

I had another thread relative to my finding my filter size, but now that I ordered this, I decided to start this thread for those of us who have this (or similar) product, or know someone who has/had one and can provide valuable insight.

*** The absolute LAST thing I want to do it ruin my MINI.

Your thoughts on this product vs the standard OEM paper filter?

Thanks much.
David

Sent from my iPad Air using NAMotoring

 

I read this review, but thought I'd float it by the folks here. This person is not a MINI owner, or so I don't think.

http://www.quirkyuncle.com/2013/06/2...-s-air-filter/

Sent from my iPad Air using NAMotoring

 

Thanks to the electronics every component is exactly combined with all the other things.
Don't believe those promises.You can tune a car if you wish but it will cost you another car.

 

So this filter will "cost me another car" as to say it may ruin my car?

Sent from my iPad Air using NAMotoring

 

No the costs for REAL tuning are extremely high.Just changing a filter won't help a lot, more noise doesn't mean more power.

 

Ahh, I see. Yes, I've seen some mods done which go wayyyyyyyy above my pay grade.

I was under the assumption more air-flow meant better mixture. However, if nothing else I'd be content in knowing the quality and filtration of this filter is better than the paper OEM. Thoughts?

Sent from my iPad Air using NAMotoring

 

Mind blowing performance gains? That's some serious puffery.

 

Lol....kinda funny actually!!
If you expect the feel a difference (or maybe a blindfolded spouse, wearing earplugs!!) from filter a to filter b to filter c (or even no filter)...you will be disappointed....
A car with a dirty filter might cost a car a fraction of a HP...likewise a CAI (COLD AIR INTAKE) might add almost a single hp..an amount that is even within the margin of error and or repeatability for a engine/car dyno....rember modern electronics adjust for extra or reduced airflow....a far cray from decades ago when a new filter on a mechanical carborated motor would cause an instant gain in HP vs a dirty filter...
To say the product or the seller is adding "fluff" is 100% true...
As for whether it makes sense....or will harm your car....
Dry filters are pretty new....only a few years of use vs decades with oiled media or paper...
Think it comes down to more if it is an effective filter, and does it last....price is 3x-4x the cost of a replacement filter....and on a real level must last much longer (opportunity cost for the $$ return on the $$ tied up)....
Value....you decide....
Does "dry filters" work...must be lots of comparisons on google....
One suggestion....if the car is under warrenty, all replacement parts must meet or exceed OEM specs (if not you best any repair costs due to the item)...and I would place a sticker telling a tech NOT TO REPLACE the FILTER....DO NOT BE SURPRISED if you get a "free" service and find you $60 filter was tossed, and a new OEM one installed...
I would be inclined to say payback zero...you get free factory filters for the next 3 years (likely one or two replacement filters)...but what matters is does it make you happy....
If so buy it, install it...make it "your car" with this mod!! Mods are not about $$ but about making the owner happy!

 

I bought a used KN oiled filter from somebody here on NAM. For 25 bucks it was a steal compared to MSRP. The first two points you bring up, I believe too; I bought it for better airflow but certainly didn't expect any power gains. The extra blow-off valve noise was a nice bonus though
I'm not going to re-oil it again for another 50k miles (it was just re-oiled before I bought it) so yeah I'd say it saves money on buying paper filters.

Sure, there's always that possibility of doing some type of harm, but for me it's not worth doing things based on fear of the unknown. I did do a lot of research in all of my mods to make sure that they work and thankfully I've been happy with every single one.

I guess to answer your original questions I may not be what you are looking for but yes I am very happy with my aftermarket filter and I wouldn't go back to paper. And for what it's worth I have an oiled filter and haven't had any problems so far...in 13k miles of driving however, so not a lot of mileage.

 

Agreed. I have a K&N panel filter and for 27k miles, no issues. But next I will try the dry one.

 

Wow!! Thanks everyone, I appreciate the honest and up front responses. Although not what I was hoping to hear, I respect your truthfulness and experience. As I've said, this is my first MINI and I don't want to do anything to harm him or worse, void my warrantee.

I was hoping to see any of the following:

- Slightly better gas mileage
- Slight increase in torque, or pep
- Better quality filtration to protect my engine

However, I'm feeling like I blew $50.00 out the window. I guess there's this kid in me that wants to add mods to my MINI. Unfortunately, these tiny mods are all I can afford, so I can't go all out with the heavy stuff.

Thanks everyone.
David

Sent from my iPad Air using NAMotoring

 

With a modern car, it is almost impossible for any air filter to increase your gas mileage. While it is true a mostly-clogged filter will offer incoming air a restriction to flowing into the engine, that will make zero difference at cruise, where you put the most miles on. At cruise, you are usually at 10%-20% throttle opening, so the throttle is still providing a significant restriction of its own. If the air filter is reducing the air flow, you just wind up opening the throttle a little more, to reduce the restriction that it offers. (You can substitute "intake valves" on motors that control engine load with the inlet valves rather than a throttle valve.)

I believe that K&N filters protect worse than stock paper ones. I have also had problems with "OEM type" K&N not fitting correctly--not to mention possible problems with MAF sensors and over-oiling.

I don't have any information about the dry foam filters directly. But I am certain that they will not give you any measurable MPG improvement on their own. Power? Hard to say without back-to-back dyno runs of a fresh paper filter and a fresh foam one.

 

Status: I installed the filter today (fits like a glove). Inside was a MANN filter. The OEM filter was VERY VERY clean.

Off motoring I went to have dinner with the wife ( Friday, date night). First, it's raining in Florida so I couldn't "open" Zippy up as much as I'd like BUT... I noticed a few subtle things...

1- Before when taking off in 1st gear, if I didn't rev Zippy I'd get this thump or hesitation (operator error I'm sure). That no longer happens.

2- Seems smoother even while holding at 4k rpm in 3rd gear.

3- Feel a little more pull than before.

Placebo? Maybe, but more time will tell for sure.

They sure package the device quite nicely I must say. If first impressions mean a lot, I'm quite impressed.

I'll test zippy tomorrow and monitor my gas when I fill-up Sunday for the workweek.

Dave

Sent from my iPad Air using NAMotoring

 

Sounds good to me!

 

Anyone even bother putting this sticker on?

 

Saturday motoring: For the first time, my wife actually said Zippy sounds different. When I asked her how so, she said,"I don't know ... smoother."

 

One more observation: Anyone (manual drivers), ever experience bucking when in 1st gear and just coasting along sometimes giving "slight" gas? OK, this bucking/jerking would happen to me often. HOWEVER, I've noticed it's not happening anymore - and I mean at all.

I'm not saying this filter may have something to do with that. Maybe my Zippy is finally breaking in (7,583 miles - see attached picture), who knows.

Believe me, if I felt this filter is causing more harm than good, OFF it would go. Thus far, it seems to be yielding nothing but positive results (fingers crossed).

Also, on a separate note. Someone referred to me as a "Justa" and another post referenced my filter experience as a "Dyno Butt" - anyone know what that means?

Thanks everyone.
David

 

Hey David, sup.

You sir bought a Justa MINI Cooper

There are three versions I believe, and yours gets called Justa.
As in: It's just a Cooper......get it?
Then there is the S
And of course the JCW

So when they say you have a Justa, it's only a question or reply about your models level, kinda!

As for the Dyno Butt.......some guys talk about their car feeling better and being faster, BUTT, without having it put on a real Dyno, you never know.
So guys THINK it feels different through the seat of their pants so to speak!

 

Hi Bubba,

Thanks for the info. I shared it with my wife who chucked, and said "Justa" is simply a polite way of saying I have the "cheapest" model available. I suppose this is true.

The Dyno-Butt comment. I kinda figured that's what it might mean, but wasn't 100% certain. Guess my description of what I'm noticing with the filter falls within the Dyno-Butt criteria quite nicely.

Thanks again Bubba.

Regards,
Dave

PS: I just ordered the following European tag (see attached image) for Zippy. This will be my last mod for a while, be cause the wife is getting upset. :(

Ordered the tag from here (if anyone is interested): http://www.customeuropeanplates.com

Sent from my iPad Air using NAMotoring

 

More air = more fuel - this is how EFI works.

 

"Augmentation. A high flow air filter, one that increases the amount of air getting into the system, should increase gas mileage. By increasing air, the amount of gas that is needed is reduced, thereby getting you more miles per gallon.

You should check your air filter frequently to see if it needs replacing. Doing so when it is appropriate will save you money because it will keep your gas mileage high. A dirty, clogged air filter will reduce your car's performance by making it work harder than it has to.

So make sure you replace it when you need to and keep your car in good working order."

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-mainte...ve-gas-mileage

This means?

Sent from my iPad Air using NAMotoring

Regards,
David

 

More airflow = more air past the MAF = more fuel injected into the engines.


"High flow" filters don't increase MPG. You can't get more power without fuel being injected to meter it out. If they give "more power" your ECU will adapt by feeding your engine more fuel.

Modern gas engines target an Air/fuel ratio of 14.7:1 at all times except wide open throttle.

 

Great to see somebody understands modern computer controlled motors....
So much info floating around is leftover from the "old days" of carburetors and esrly mechanical fuel injection.... And 99% of a t is just plain wrong with modern computer controlled motors.....

 

Noted. However, if such is the case I'm still saving gas money weekly MINI vs. 5.7 Dodge HEMI truck (which my son now owns).

Also, I'd gladly sacrifice a "little" more gas to eliminate that occasional PITA jerking/bucking I was experiencing when coasting in 1st gear. Notice I said "was" (past thence), because that annoyance no longer exists - at all.

Therefore, if this filter (due to increased air/fuel) is responsible for eliminating that, then it's certainly worth it - IMO. Provided of course it's not harming the vehicle in any way which is why I purchased the dry one vs. the oil'd K&N.

Besides, Zippy doesn't mind the added pep, in his step.

Regards,
David

 

PS: I also downloaded this app for my iPad which tracks fuel, repairs and maintenance (see screen capture). It's a gem when it comes to keeping track of various things and yielding comprehensive reports.

Regards,
David

Sent from my iPad Air using NAMotoring