Pipercross panel air filter

Finally got round to fitting the Pipercross replacement element panel air filter to the Fabia vRS (which only took 5 minutes to fit, so should have been done WEEKS ago!!).

The fit was perfect as you’d expect from any original-equipment specification air filter and thankfully, Pipercross took the decision to design the filter so it doesn’t need any dirt retention fluid (oil) to work.

This makes the air filter unique as all other performance filters need oil, which can damage the sensitive MAF sensors found in VW, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Subaru applications (anything fitted with a Bosch MAF really).

As it’s an OE spec filter, there’s no need to inform insurance companies and it cannot invalidate your warranty (considering it protects the engine better than some paper air filters, it should be a requirement to have one fitted!!).

Anyway, on with the road test…

Induction note is pretty much unchanged - I guess I’m listening out for it more, but the sound is always going to be muffled by the factory airbox. I can definately hear the turbo spooling a bit louder though, possibly because it now picks up at lower RPM due to the increase in air supply.

Power increases will be negligible, at least nothing I can’t measure by simply driving the car. Throttle response is definately better with the revs picking up and dropping off easier (makes it easier to drive as the engine becomes more predictable) and there’s less turbo lag of course.

MPG over the past hundred miles since fitting the filter has actually improved which is fantastic considering I’ve been driving it a bit more enthusiastically whilst listening out for the induction note! When I get back to sensible driving it should be even better (high 40’s).

Soot out of the exhaust is reduced too. Where I’d normally see a plume of smoke shortly after planting my right foot, now there’s just a faint wisp

All in all, very impressed - the filter was only £33 from The Pipercross Shop and I’m just annoyed I didn’t fit it earlier!