Did it myself... takes 5 min. Ordered an OEM air filter
$17 + shipping from http://www.acuraautomotiveparts.org.
Filter was pretty dirty and nasty at only 28K miles.
How much dealership charges for this? I assume I saved myself some money.

 

why not get a comptech foam filter?

 

Is it better for your car? If it only improves performance, I don't really care. I am fine with stock performance

 

Not really, more of a performance thing Nothing wrong with $17

 

Comptech - $60, oiled foam.

K&N - $45, oiled gauze.

K&N and Comptech are 100K mile filters, just need to be cleaned every 30K miles. More airflow. Better air cleaning? probably not any better than paper, possibly worse...

 

For those of us not yet ready for replacement,
what do you use to clean it? Air compressor? Anything else?

 

why clean it? just replace it every 30K. its only $20

 

Autozone -

Air filter for 2001 Acura CL-S
Fram $13.49
STP $12.99

No better or worse than an OEM Acura air filter.

 

Actually I saw STP filter in autozone, and it does not look promissing. Honda filter seems to be made better, with more dense, thick filter media. I'd stick with Honda filter... since the price is close.... I have not seen Farm and Puralator yet...

 

I'm nearly at 15k, have pity for a low mileage soul.
:o

 

Its $28.88 Cdn at the dealer here in Vancouver.

 

Not bad... here its around $40...$20 for something that takes 3-5 min ( its EXTREEMLY simple). just remove two screws and that's it

 

i had a hell of a time getting the screws off though.. they were EXTREMELY tight..

 

Since there doesn't seem to be any good comparisons of air filters online, I can't disagree with you.

However, my suspicion is that a person is paying more for a Honda air filter because it comes from Honda, and not because it is of higher quality than a generic filter from Fram, Puralator, or STP. This was the case anyway with the Mopar air filters compared to the Fram and STP filters I used back in the day with my Jeep. I suppose that buying only OEM Honda/Acura air filters can be worth it for piece of mind, however in the long run it is hard to say whether or not it makes a difference in terms of both performance and effectiveness of the filter itself.

Does anyone know who manufactures Honda air filters? Are they specific to Honda (i.e. designed and manufactered) or are they rebranded filters from an independent company?

EDIT: Spelling

 

Yeah, I agree that OEM Honda filter is not necessarily better. I just compared Honda vs. STP... and again, this was just a close look to the filter media and precision of assembly...
Replacement Honda filter has "Honda" labels all over. I forgot to check where it was made, probably US....
I might try purolator next time....

 

here's a site that posts test data for air filters
I know I know,,, another Amsoil site,, but it does show there is testing available out there,,,

http://www.amsoil.com/products/ts.html

 

Whats the part number for Amsoil Air filter that fits CLS? How much it costs?

 

Nope,,, sorry,, I should have looked it up first,,, only a paper Hasting Filter (stock) is available for the type s,,, $11.30 wholesale,, $15.10 retail,,, Why not find a used AI,, AEM on the black market,,, or a X model,,, I modified (X) the install and you only need to take the lower baffle out,, I then cut a hole in the top cover and it now looks stock.