That's a valid reason for not using the K&N. IMHO, and my anecdotal experience, the MAF-will-die reason is not.
So Tom peaked my curiosity regarding the filtering. I wondered just how much difference in filtering occurred between brands, as well as what kind of particles would not be filtered. One question in my mind being that just because a certain size particle can pass through the filter, doesn't mean that such particles will be encountered in sufficient volumes to be noteworthy. My second question, still somewhat unanswered, is whether those particles cause any engine damage. I have first-hand experience of damage to turbine engines from fine sand, but turbines are operating at significantly different pressures and temperatures than auto engines! Plus those conditions were the fine talcum-like sand found in overseas deserts.
(Dweb may have covered this, but I didn't feel like digging through pages and pages of the discussion since from memory it seems that most of the discussion usually centers on the oil and MAF problems. I think the topic has been covered a few times on ExPo as well.)
Anyway, so this thread is one of the more concise summaries found via Google and has some good data. The K&N web page lists the ISO 5011 standards.
Compare those particle sizes to some of the common particle sizes. Finally, check out the sizes of sand and silt. So Tom's right, the Wix is a good filter to use. Anyone know who makes the OEM filter? In the absence of more info I would use the Wix over the OEM and may actually consider switching now. I'm hesitant only because I still wonder if the difference in non-filtered material passing into the engine causes any significant engine wear over the lifetime of a petrol engine.
And for those of you irritated that this topic is being discussed one more time... tough. I understand your frustration though. I think I rolled my eyes and grinned when I first saw the thread title was listed. "Here we go again" came to mind. These air filter threads are almost as prolific as the "how much tire/lift" threads.
EDIT: One note, yes the diesel link was probably a test of diesel filters. Filters for petrol engines may or may not have similar results. I'm obviously betting they do.
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