Trivial - Air filter brand you trust for performance?

gcha8e · Post by **gcha8e** » 24 Nov 2019, 12:56

The essential (trivial) question is what air filter brands do you trust for high performance? My car is getting old and I need to give it love to keep the edge on the road

So in shopping for an HB3 replacement bulb which Walmart had at $8 for 2 (+1 happiness). So then I also looked at their air filters, only to discover for the first time that there are 4 different engine base versions of the 2.5T AWD listed. The volvo forums VIN decoder says I have the 153 CID.

For that engine base, the only air filter compatible on Walmart's site was the K&N 33-2176 High Performance - at $62.99.

I was intrigued by that and would prefer a "high performance" option for less than $30.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 24 Nov 2019, 13:03

Any regular paper filter the right size really. I mean it's not exactly rocket science.. A standard filter is $10 or so over here.

Post by **abscate** » 24 Nov 2019, 13:57

you can sell headlights at 100% margin when you sell air filters at 5000% margin

Use a Mann or Volvo filter, buy once , pay once if you are a cheapskate like me. You won’t get HP increases from air filter changes

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 26 Nov 2019, 11:48

The last place you'd ever want to look for anything for a Volvo (or any other higher end vehicle) is a Walmart.
Unless things have changed a whole lot recently, cartridge oil filters and low {sales} volume air filters are essentially "special orders" to shops even like AutoZone.

You're much better off going straight to FCPEuroparts or eEuroparts.com or even IPDUSA.com. Their competent service is waiting for you. They have frequent sales too.

Post by **June** » 26 Nov 2019, 12:51

Abscate is giving good advice. My S80 has almost exclusively used Genuine Volvo filters. Twice I installed aftermarket units, but had them changed again at the next service. The MAF sensor was never cleaned but was replaced a few months ago for the first time. That's nearly 16 years and 187K. Also to date the throttle body is factory and was cleaned once around 150K which was not the problem. 192K on the clock now and she is running perfectly. Also both turbos and the intercooler are factory. I would think those items are relying on the air filter to keep them clean which the Genuine Volvo filters have done. June

Post by **vtl** » 27 Nov 2019, 07:11

B5254T2 OE filter is Mahle. Same for cabin filter.

chris11211 · Post by **chris11211** » 27 Nov 2019, 21:50

Boils down to Mahle OE or MANN. Whatever's cheaper at the time.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 29 Nov 2019, 07:48

Good advice chris11211 (Brooklyn?) but the OP needs more.
He has to be broken of the "Shopping for Volvo and Rolls Royce parts at the local Walmart" habit.

Post by **June** » 29 Nov 2019, 08:30

I forgot to mention that the first time I had to replace the air filter the correct 04 S80 T6 filter the parts store called for was a special order. So I took the one out of the car in the parking lot and found one the same size by opening similar sized boxes until one was the same. The funny part is it was 1/3 the price of the correct one their computer listed. Like $10.99 vs $28.99. June

cleven · Post by **cleven** » 13 Jun 2021, 22:05

Georgeandkira wrote: ↑26 Nov 2019, 11:48 The last place you'd ever want to look for anything for a Volvo (or any other higher end vehicle) is a Walmart.
Unless things have changed a whole lot recently, cartridge oil filters and low {sales} volume air filters are essentially "special orders" to shops even like AutoZone.

You're much better off going straight to FCPEuroparts or eEuroparts.com or even IPDUSA.com. Their competent service is waiting for you. They have frequent sales too.

Naaa walmart fluids and such are way cheaper. Why spend more when you can get the same stuff cheaper at walmart?