Steve,
I don't have a K&N air filter, but I did look into them.
1. I got a quote of $33 from my local FLAPS (Pep Boys).
2. One concern seems to be getting the replacement/renew oil on at the
correct rate. There is some concern that if too much is put on it could
migrate down wind and affect the sensor (air flow meter?). Even K&N warns of
this on their web site.
3. K&N has a web site. I read most of it. There is a lot of verbiage and
charts mostly focused on the fact that K&N provides greater air flow through
the filter. As I recall, there is no information provided that would allow
comparison of particle size of filtration. Most of the focus of their sales
effort seems directed at performance rather than protection.

My concern is that there will be a sacrifice of engine protection in favor
of performance.

I decided to go with the OEM Syncro air filter until more information is
provided regarding the K&N particle size filtration compared to paper
filters.

Regards,
Bill
90 Westy Syncro
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve Macaulay <smacaulay@INFINTIUM.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 11:02 AM
Subject: K&N air filters worth the extra money?

>Has anybody on the list that has tried them or knows something about them
>have any good/bad comments on the high priced ($36.95 from
>http://www.macneilauto.com/KNProd.htm ) K&N air filters.  They claim they
>last a million miles and need to be "recharged" with a filter service kit
>($9.95) around every 50,000 miles.  Are they worth the extra money, or
>should one stick with a normal one like the Bosch air filter that Bus Depot
>sells for $8.95 or the heavy duty genuine VW air filters that they sell for
>$16.95?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Steve
>
>89 Westy
>