MK5 Golf GTI

All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: jsklair on June 11, 2011, 11:08:27 am

Title: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: jsklair on June 11, 2011, 11:08:27 am
I got my ignition coil replaced FOC yesterday as part of the 28F5 recall, and while it was at VW they did their usual visual check.

A couple things came up, such as a split in the CV boot, and a broken air duct, which is all fair enough.

But they also say I need to replace my air filter.

My car is a 55 plate, and has done 46,000 miles.

According to the service schedule booklet:

"The air filter element is replaced and the housing cleared - (for vehicles driven more than 90,000 km / 60,000 miles in 6 years)"

My car is 6 years old, but hasn't hit 60,000 miles yet.

This is not written in the same manner as some service schedules, i.e. 6 years, or 60,000 miles, or whichever comes first.

That would make more sense, and conclusively mean I needed an air filter change.


Can anyone clarify the VW statement on what I need to do?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: GTIStevie on June 11, 2011, 11:11:42 am
i thought air filter was changed at every service, its a fairly cheap item and the standard paper ones are pretty crap and easy to clog up.
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: alexperkins on June 11, 2011, 11:32:36 am
Nope - standard air filter on these is about £25 a pop so not cheap

Its probably around time to replace it mate - they dont last forever, and the service schedule is only a guideline.
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: robdf2 on June 11, 2011, 11:36:10 am
Definatley change the air filter but do it yourself.
witht he engine cover in place my engine was pristine you could eat your dinner off of it , since changing to a cai my engine is covered in so much crap its insane , all this crap would usually go through into the standard air filter , so i would say do it.  :happy2:
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: jsklair on June 11, 2011, 12:33:09 pm
Cheers for all the advice.

You're all probably right, I'll just replace the element myself.  Looking at the service history, it hasn't been replaced since the factory.


VW want to charge £38.03 to fit it.


I just did a quick ring round to see how much the part is:

VW: £17.86
German Swedish: £11.52 (Mann Filter)
Euro Car Parts: £15.90 (Both Bosch and Guttmann)

Should I go for the VW one, or is Mann a good brand?

Or is it worth getting a performance filter element:

http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=33-2888 (http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?Prod=33-2888)
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: alexperkins on June 11, 2011, 12:34:23 pm
MANN make VWs air filters  :happy2:

Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: jsklair on June 11, 2011, 12:46:52 pm
MANN make VWs air filters  :happy2:



Cheers, that's £26.51 saved!
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: Tfsi_Mike on June 11, 2011, 01:27:00 pm

Excuse for an ITG panel filter  :innocent:
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: jsklair on June 11, 2011, 01:44:10 pm

Excuse for an ITG panel filter  :innocent:

How much of a noticeable performance improvement will there be if I plonk in a performance filter element (be it ITG, K&N, etc...), and nothing else?

And which one is best?
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: alexperkins on June 11, 2011, 01:45:10 pm
Very very little. Maybe 1 or 2hp more

Main time for changing the airfilter to a higher flow one is for a remap!

Ive got a pipercross one in mine but thats only because im now stage 2
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: jsklair on June 11, 2011, 02:13:05 pm
Very very little. Maybe 1 or 2hp more

Main time for changing the airfilter to a higher flow one is for a remap!

Ive got a pipercross one in mine but thats only because im now stage 2

I've got no plans to get a stage 1 remap any time soon, so I think I'll stick with the MANN panel for now.

Thanks for all the advice.
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: h4rdy on June 11, 2011, 04:24:38 pm
You can wash a Pipercross/iTG/VWR etc etc panel filter.

As its not paper like OEM.

BTW Pipercross, I believe, make VWR so don't bother with that.

But save money in the long run.

Put a wanted up on here £15-£20ish second hand and give it a wash.
Title: Re: Air Filter. Time to replace???
Post by: h4rdy on June 11, 2011, 07:00:10 pm
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,29993.0.html :happy2: