Golf TDI Servicing advice

[geoff eeles]

I am due to service the car in the next month or so, oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter. It my first one on a Golf and not sure which way to approach the air filter. At a service station lavy on the M4 there was an advert for me to read whilst doing the 'shake' about either K&N filters or one that lasts a life time and is 'machine washable'. given they are more expensive than a normal vw/bosch one,but last longer, and am lead to believe give you better fuel ecomony, would it be classed as a 'Modifaction' by insurance companies?

advice on all elements would be useful thanks.

[phil miller]

I am due to service the car in the next month or so, oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter. It my first one on a Golf and not sure which way to approach the air filter. At a service station lavy on the M4 there was an advert for me to read whilst doing the 'shake' about either K&N filters or one that lasts a life time and is 'machine washable'. given they are more expensive than a normal vw/bosch one,but last longer, and am lead to believe give you better fuel ecomony, would it be classed as a 'Modifaction' by insurance companies?

advice on all elements would be useful thanks.

Over the years i have fitted many K&N air filters and have seen many cone filter (even on diesels) TBH on your TDI stick with fitting a genuine one, dont cost a fortune, the k&n dont make much if any gain in MPG

and YES technicley it is a mod and you should inform your insurance, even tho its just an air filter

[shabazmo]

Stick to original parts. I know thats not what you want to hear, but that is how vw's are designed and original parts will keep the dirts out better. Do you really want to put your filters in a washing machine?

[dafydd]

The problem with K+N filters and the like, is that you have to wash them and re-oil them which WILL sooner or later kill you MAF sensor,(oil from filter getting on the sensor) and at about £80 a pop, its not worth it, I know by experience. stick with a standard air filter, the r32 comes with the same air filter as a TDi, so that says it all.

[vwcabriolet1971]

Fitting a "performance" air filter to a standard VW TDI is bit like buying running shorts for your granny. She might look cool but she will not run any faster ! The VW standard air filter is capable of suppling much more air/oxygen to the engine than the engine needs.

[bob_zingh]

In addition, Standard filter approx £15!

[geoff eeles]

i will go for VW Gen parts on these things. can't be taking any chances with such a furtherbred.

[Robnelson76]

I had a K&N fitted to my previous Saab 9-5 2.3t for 150,000 miles. I bought it because at £40 it was cheaper than repeated £25 for paper filters and I was doing 4 to 5,000 miles a month.

I washed it about every three services and re-oiled it. I never had any noticeable issues with any sensors or anything.

For a car I intend to keep for a while, I'd fit a K&N on economic grounds every time from my last experience.

Rob