Better the Devil you know?

are you sure your k&n has the same quality of filtration as a stock filter?
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There have been quite a few cases documented on the MB forums of MAS sensors giving up soon after the fitting of K&N filters. Apparently, the MAS sensor gets fouled up. As most german cars use the same manufacturer for these kind of parts (Bosch) I suspect than BMWs would also be prone to problems.
 
Tone,

You are not the only one having problems. I have just replaced the wipers on the merc as they were worn and starting to smear. In the process I have managed to break the windscreen :o
 
Robbo, is this after fitting K&N filter elements in the stock airbox or full monty K&N cone filters (and binning the original airbox - like I've done)? Either way, I'd be amazed if there was a problem that could be traced back to the filter.

On the BMW forums I visit (one in the UK, one US based) there are literally hundreds of people who've replaced their air intake with some form of cone filter arrangement (not necessarily K&N) and I've never seen a single mention of MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensors getting fouled up. I suppose it might be a problem if you over-oiled the filter after cleaning it and excess oil got on the MAF sensor wire, but that can be avoided.

Well, a very quick Google revealed the following thread on an MB forum:
http://forums.mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?p=880039#post880039

....and here's the pertinent quote:
I've previously used the BMC carbon dynamic airbox and it does provide some extra grunt at frwy speeds it has a nice carbon finish and far less in cost than the Gruppe M unit, however I've encountered (2) failed MAF sensors within the time I used it and decided to just remove the unit. I believe Mark Cummins has had the unit too with unsatisfactory MAF sensor results. My BMC is now on my buddy's M5 and he has encountered no issues. What is up with the MAF sensors on our benzos??
Click to expand...

So, it was a problem on the Merc and no problem at all on a BMW M5. FYI, my intake is a replica "GruppeM" unit.

Michael.
 
Just searched a bit more over on bimmerforums.com (US based) and there are a number of threads about the K&N / MAF sensor issue. All points to excessive over-oiling after cleaning. I'll probably just buy a new filter each time rather than clean and oil the existing one.

Incidentally, it seems that it's pretty straightforward to clean a fouled MAF sensor with electrical contact cleaner or similar.

Michael.
 
Sounds sensible. i think many of the problems stem from over oiling.

Whereas my problem with the windscreen stems from stupidity. :(
 
Nah, you would need to come for a ride with me to understand 'Involving'.
Neil, what a shite mate, did the wiper just fly back and smack the screen then?
Mike, the maf (Mass air flow) sensor is a common problem on a lot of bimmers, its the bosch part which goes down on a number of motors, I believe its actually a Hot film type in the M3, that is heated to a certain temprature and as the air flows over it, it cools and the ecu calc's the amount of current/voltage required to heat it up again and adjusts the fueling accordingly.
Personaly I'd fit a MAP manifold absolute pressure, (vacum transducer sensor), I know the turbo's use them a lot, but its more accurate and instantainious compaired to that bit of guff stuck in the intake truncking.
You would have to drill & tap the intake manifold, a 1.5 bar unit would suffice.
G,
The spot pack has that gay little roof spoiler and the 16's 17's were cost option, the sports springs are 30mm lower, I have the Eibach ones, with custom dampers, but I feel some coil overs looming in the not too distant furture.
 
Tone - the MAF in my M3 (hot film type) hasn't caused me a problem so I don't see any need to replace it, especially if it would be taking a drill to the inlet manifold :eek: .

I basically don't want to do any irreversible mods to my car so it's easy to put everything back to stock if I ever decide to sell it

Wow! Never realised a windscreen could break so easily. I just replaced the wipers on my M3, no probs (and no flyback) but I'll take extra care next time. Sorry to hear about it Robbo :(

Michael.
 
a light tap in the right spot can shatter a windscreen - i've seen someone do it with a toffee hammer!

you're right michael, selling a car with a nos kit on it would be tough. nothing says 'driven like you stole it' like a nos kit.
cheers

julian
 
W-M

Thanks....err I think. I'm not sure I'm any wiser though. :D


GTM
 
W-M,

What do I REALLY want? What I REALLY REALLY want?? :D

a bit of ZigaZig ahh... I think.


Seriously though. When I first read about the factory fitted sports packs for the 156 I understood that there were three levels. I believed that the lowest level (sport pack 1) was a suspension mod, small spoiler, bit of minor body work on the sills and part leather interior (IIRC). However, the more I looked at adverts and various owner websites I became confused and started to think that each of these things were available seperately. So I guess what I'm really asking is if this is true or not? In other words if the car has a small rear spoiler, (assuming it was part of an original fitment sports pack, not some other fitment), can I be certain that the car has the suspension mod too?

Or should I be looking out for something else to tell if the car has the suspention sports pack mod fitted.?

From your reply it seems my original thoughts are correct. ie the sports pack is exactly that a pakage of modification. So any car with the factory fitted sports pack will have all of the mods. ie spoiler, suspension, bodywork, interior etc. True or not?

Of course I understand that owners could have always fitted an aftermarket suspension mod but to be honest I'm steering clear of these as I don't know enough about them to know if they are

a) any good
b) even fitted at all and not just an attempt to get more money for the car.


So I'm sticking to cars with the official manufacturer sports packs fitted.


btw- I'd be looking at the 2.0 TS or similar not the GTA or 2.5 V6 models

GTM
 
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actually i believe only 57 of his multidimensional facets are members of the federation. 7 are part of the klingon empire and 3 are romulan.
cheers


julian
 
Well, all I'm doing is just showing a little faith in your 'Human' forms of engineering (How Quaint), It is difficult to introduce new forms of technology, that is vastly superior with out arousing suspision :rolleyes:
"Tone would be useing anti gravity with inertia damping by now", I'm afraid thats just so 22nd century penance, have you no self respect?
So one has to do a stealth style component that make look midly different, yet the internal structure is radicaly (IE your limited understanding of the laws of the Universe, well this one anyway, are some what bent double)
Still one must persevere with the thankless task, one day you will thank me you know (mind you, you'll be dead, but hey :D can't blame me for trying)
G,
Generally, aftermarket stuff (even TUV approved gear) doesn't garantee more cash when selling. In fact the opposite.
The O.E. kit isn't that special, just pandering to the market really, a few go faster mods to entice the wannbe mid management bwm trolls, in need of excitement in their lives really.
To spot, the subtle skirts/ baby breakfast bar on the roof (not not the Gerry Anderson Thunderbird 2 effort that adorns the muppet versions, and a lower more purposeful stance, take your hand turn it 90 degrees and see how many fingers you can put between the top of the wheel and the inner arc, Just checked mine its 2, so 3 or 4 should be the one your after. Wm
 
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