Hey guys. I've noticed that a few of you are running pod filters, and i'm thinking about throwing one in myself.
I had a look tho, and i cant find much written about them on here.

basically, are they worth the effort?

any help would be great :)

Umm, no. There have been studies that show they can lose up to 5 hp, and they don't filter as well either.

The intake sound is nice, but don't overlook cleaning, and service. On my '72 tii I think that there IS a benefit. I think that the factory double horned airbox is restrictive, and I don't drive the car often enough to worry about an excessive build up of dirt and debris..
On my m20 engined 323- no, they are not worth it.
IMHO- The extra insurance of an enclosed, disposable, paper filter, as well as the easy availability of the stock filter over the counter, makes up for any cool, hissing, intake breathing sounds.
I've also been told that the stock e21 airbox is not restrictive on a stock m10/m20 engine.
But, if you want to try and squeeze some more air into your engine( and get that cool hissing, sucking, intake sound )try drilling some 1/4 inch holes on the top cover of your stock airbox, stick in the flat, rectangular filter, and you should get a similar ( cheaper, easier to replace ) effect as a "pod" filter.

cheers guys!
i wasnt so worried about the noises :P just the powergain, but thats very helpful :)

Thanks again

No again. Much testing has show that NOTHING is better than the stock tii air filter. K&N definatly loses power on that engine. It's too bad I can't fit it into my tii powered 320i. I'm about to work up a custom intake though...