k and n high flow panel filter

[neogeo74]

£20 plus P&P

[Smthers]

After reading a number of reviews I wasn't expecting the air filter to turn my 1.3 TS2 into a snarling tarmac ripper - so it came as no surprise to find no extra power.

What I have found though is that my TS2 pulls away at junctions much more smoothly without any of the usual hesitation. I suspect that this is because my engine can breathe much more easily now. To be fair though the filter that I took out was the original one that Mazda fitted in the factory - and it was really nasty and grey, and had loads of seeds and dead flies in it. A new standard filter would have probably had the same effect. I've covered 23k miles so far.

I'm a bit confused about some of the reports on here about increased fuel consumption. I can't see how allowing your engine to breathe more easily can increase the amount of fuel burnt - the engine management system controls the air / fuel mixture. Maybe folks on here are caning their 2's searching for the extra power - hence the increased fuel consumption?

I'll keep an eye on the fuel usage and report back later.

So far I'm happy with the filter.

[neogeo74]

I can manage just over 300 miles on a full tank of Shell unleaded petrol with the standard Mazda air filter on my Mazda2 Sport. I will probably achieve 10-15 miles less with the K&N filter. I bought the K&N filter because I was expecting improved fuel economy but this hasn't been the case for me.

[mango]

Ive got a K&N induction kit in my fiesta at the moment and i love the sound it makes but theres definitely been a negative affect on my fuel consumption and when i get my Mazda2 sport I'm not sure that i want to get the same for it but i would like a similar sound when i stick my foot down, any ideas on what to get? a subtle exhaust or something?  I like the fact that with the induction kit it only makes a real noise when you put your foot down and not when you merely turn the engine on for example.

If you want the noise without the negative fuel consumption then you could do the cheapo version? drill a couple of holes into the underside of the pipe leading to the airbox and filter and you will get the lovely noise