Have seen a HUGE price variation in air filters for magnas...some as much as $100 for re-usable, some as cheap as $15 on ebay, and brand names from $45-$75.

My questions are...

1) If all are (as they say) built to manufacturers specs, is there any issue buying a cheapy?
2) Anyone got a first hand (not a mate of a mate) horror story about a cheapy?

The best one is the genuine filter from Mitsubishi. It only cost $50 and from memory the change interval is 3yrs 45,000km.

Cheap ones may not fit properly and let air bypass the filter. Also they might not filter as efficiently and let more dirt through or have reduced surface area and clog up earlier. Ryco used to list a filter for the Lada Niva that was too short and when installed left a gap above the filter where dirty air could bypass it. Not many people would have picked up on this, eventually they removed the listing, though I'm sure a few engines were severely worn out because of this.

Can anyone confirm the service interval for the air filter is 3yr/45,000km?

Can anyone confirm the service interval for the air filter is 3yr/45,000km?

45,000km / 36 months (3 yrs) is correct. I always give mine a blow out with compressed air every 15,000km at the very longest, I'd never let it go to 45,000 without at least banging the bugs / dust out of it.

OP: IF you buy a non-genuine, just check it more frequently.
I've used non-genuine air filters in the past with no problem. It's oil and fuel filters that I stick with genuine. Occasionally Mitsu dealers do a combined filter special, when that's the case I grab the lot.

Air filter changes should be 45,000 km or 3 years, but it really depends on where you are. If you live in rural Tasmania with clean air the filter will last a lot longer, whereas if you live in the smoky city or in a dusty rural town . . .

Good idea to examine it occasionally for clogging/physical damage, and judge for yourself if it needs changing.

A clean air filter was important on a carby car, clogging up stuffed up your fuel economy, but on an EFI car where the air mass is measured after the filter and the ECU adds fuel accordingly, a partially clogged filter won't affect economy, but may reduce power on WOT occasions. In theory. lol

I'm happy with the quality of the Ryco filter, a Fram one I bought on the other hand, was poor quality in comparison. Plastic frame was far weaker than the Ryco one.