Ooohh, controversial topic, I love it! I respect everyone’s opinion and I certainly appreciate everyone’s input!

Gilly:
Yes, maf sensors take up less space in land fills so I'm doing my part. Seriously, my chevota will choke on a paper filter so I know there is performance difference. My Benz motor is less than ½ the size, but so is the surface area of its filter. I didn’t “feel” a difference when I put it in, but I doubt I would notice if there was. I don’t disregard what you’re saying, but I think since I can’t feel any oil in the intake that I’m probably ok? Then again I don’t how much they can take before they’re damaged.
So that strip of metal is the “hot-film” maf you referred to? I was expecting a coiled filament when I opened it up. I delicately wiped its surface with a Q-tip and there was zero evidence of oil or anything, no streaking etc viewed with a 10X eye loupe. If it does go it wouldn’t be the first auto part I’ve broke in my pursuit of performance, I’ve got a box of expensive broken dreams on a shelf to toss it into.
Do you or anyone know how the oil damages it? Come to think of it, I wonder why they don’t just measure intake manifold pressure (or vacuum depending on how you look at it).

Autozen:
I agree a good paper element filters well, maybe better, but certainly disagree about car mfgs. I believe they use paper because it’s cheap and it works. If the mfg is willing to change the design or shape of a part to make more power, then cars would have headers, pre-oilers, use synthetic oils, transmission coolers, etc etc. But in their defense I can see them shying away from K&N because the element is easily damaged, and if you don’t wash and oil correctly you’re in trouble. So they’re certainly not for the general public.

SEC and Greg:
I oiled both sides, and well. Certainly not dripping, but probably double what was on there out of the box. A dry K&N is a useless K&N.