I was just wondering what you guys felt was the best air filter in terms of letting the least amount of dirt in and being the most reliable (not having some sort of premature failure... if that's even possible with an air filter?).

Performance isn't really that important... I don't care if I suffer + or - 2 horsepower... I just want this car to last forever.

I have this sneaking suspision that the OEM lexus filter is probably the best... but I just figured I'd ask.

 

Like you say, since performance isn't an issue, I would say OEM. See if Toyota has one that will fit your vehicle. Not sure what the price difference might be, but look into a K&N too.

 

I would go with OEM, you can't beat the original automotive quality of the product. I used to own a '96 ES300, and I got my last air filter changed to the Toyota OEM (can't remember the P/N, I'll have to look that up). It's only $12 for the part, reasonable price. I heard that in general, it's a good idea to change your air filter every 30K miles, or when it gets dirty, whichever comes first.

 

I am not necessarily keen on the OEM, but then again I live in a dusty, light air climate, and saw the OEM one get dirty really quick. However, the K&N fitler has recently given me problems about 5 months after I popped in the new filter. On hot days, there is hardly any air here and the oil on the filter must have gotten on to the MAF sensor. Every time I reset the check engine light, it comes on a few days later when I take it out in hot weather. Some of my Lexus counterparts down here have used the Toyota TRD filter and have had better success. However, I had no OEM problems with my filter back in the States.

 

take a look at some FRAM air filters, i mean physically check them out, i just got one for my sc300 and it's pretty good, much better than other off-the-shelf brands

it's filter weaving is much larger than other brands and there's no glue blobs on either side

i wouldn't touch FRAM oil filters though...

 

Like everyone else said, go with stock. I knwo their is a toyota version that is much cheaper than the lexus version for sc's, but others I don't know about.
Go to www.planetsoarer.com and you can find a test of different air filters and how much they flow, etc....

 

One other filter I may try is the Baldwin air and oil filter. Another www. that specializes in oil discussions really seem to think the Baldwin is something special. Right now I'm using Amsoil oil, oil and air filters.

 

check out Hot Rod Magazine, June 2002.

sj

 

stevij,

what's the general opinion?

 

general opinion was unless you where wide out constantly at the top of your horsepower rpm and where racing, there was virtually no difference in performance between OEMs and aftermarket performance.

Personnally I picked up 2-3 mpg in the city with a K&N in a 2002 ES. However, absoultely no noticable difference in accelration or horsepower increase.

I will fax you the article if you would like. PM me.
You could try www.HotRod.com and look for their archieve section.

steveij

 

A few months ago I bought a 2001 GS 430. I am planning on switching over to the K&N air filter. It is not too expensive for this car ~ $35. I have a 1995 Corvette with the K&N air filter and have been very pleased with it. The little data I have seen suggests the K&N is more efficient for air flow (few more HP and better mileage) and is supposed to do as good or better job of removing dirt.

It does require a little maintenance due to it being an oil coated filter, but you buy one and keep it for the life of the car, just clean it and re-oil occasionally.

 

Houston, I totally agree.

I calculated based on my driving style (gas usage) and the frequency that i would change the stock air filter that for a $50 investment in the K&N filter and cleaning kit, my savings in gas and throw away filters would be close to $2000 over 10 years.

Needless to say, I went with the K&N.

steveij

 

I have KnN and it makes no difference of any kind.. mpg, drivability... no change except that its re-useable.

 

Same here with the Amsoil filter. But Hey, I bought it to re-use it

 

One look at the K&N and one look at the OEM one and the price ($35) is well worth it. You have to REPLACE the OEM one ever 60k miles, at like a $80 charge but the K&N has a million mile warrenty, it never needs replacing, just cleaning, so you save money in the long run.

The K&N is pretty much proven to be the best replacement for OEM filters. I was very happy with my K&N before I got the SRT Intake.