K&N - clean or replace?

I just bought an A3 (1998). It has a K&N air filter in it.

1.) Are these filters intended to be cleaned or replaced at scheduled intervals?
2.) If they should be cleaned, what it the recommended procedure? (compressed air, backflush through the filter??)

cleaned and reoiled.

Buy the K&N Recharger Kit ($10)

Follow the directions carefully.

Take your time oiling with the spray bottle
-spray Light coat
-wait 20 minutes
-spray over any white blotches.

DO NOT OVER OIL!!! That's the main thing to stress.

You'll need some grease, the PAO lube which some have came originally, or white lithium grease works also -- for the rubber seal

I think if it were me I'd replace it. With a stock air filter. But that's just my opinion....Rob M Concord, MA

I DID replace mine with a stock paper element. I noticed no difference whatsoever...

Thanks for the help. I think I might lean toward replacing it with stock, as opposed to cleaning it.

Do you know why the K&N "flows" better? ... WORSE FILTERING
It is simple physics.

Does a TDI need better flow? (assuming that the 'snow screen is clean) .... Not really, the turbocharger will PUSH whatever the ECU tells it to.

BOTTOM LINE: Use the stock filter.

What do you all think of the alternative filter for our TDI filter?

The dual element filter for the 1.8T engine colder climates?