95KVIEWS
160REPLIES
169APPRECIATES
73ACTIVE PEOPLE
03-04-2026LAST POST
02-10-2023
02-10-2023
I hate to say it but at 79 years old, I’ll write the check. Have owned 911’s, Macan S and now my M40i. Need for speed never gets old-olny the body!
Replicant
,
Alias1431
+6
02-10-2023
02-10-2023
dinan5m3 wroteIt was really not bad, and I am older with back problems, so I am a bit aprehensive about anything that needs me to contort. Biggest thing is just putting something down to support your knees, and at that point, you are pretty level with the working area, there was no need for me to twist around much to see anything.Well, in that case...
DIY to save $180+tax
Aches and pains afterwards - priceless
That70sGADawg
02-11-2023
02-11-2023
freshxdough wroteLooking at the latest REP in ISTA, it's at revision 6, for a cabin air filter chagne !!!The air flap can be caught when installing the new microfilter and the flap can be pushed past it's end stop. It's not uncommon and even if you're doing everything correctly, you could catch it and push the microfilter up and end up rotating the flap.
Just can't fathom why the cabin filter is allowed to even go past the "red line" (drawn in the picture below) to cause the top air flap to "flip" nearly 180 degrees...
Are these filters just getting "shoved" upward during install because there is no obvious stopping point or not noticing (paying attention to) how far up it was shoved up from the factory?
ocdx3
,
gofastbmw510
+1
02-11-2023
02-11-2023
dinan5m3 wroteIt does make me wonder what people are doing. I did mine with recirculation mode off, and luckily had no issue. But I also only inserted the filter as far as I had to in order to shut the door, gravity wants it to fall out, that is why the door clips and is also supported by two screws just to be sure. I am a big believer in applying as little pressure to parts in a car as possible when doing maintenance. I would rather take some more time and go slow and be sure than just pry everything open and break something.
Are these filters just getting "shoved" upward during install because there is no obvious stopping point or not noticing (paying attention to) how far up it was shoved up from the factory?
lfdal54
,
Plusforce
02-11-2023
02-11-2023
dinan5m3 wroteRed is showing where it catches the flap. You have to pass the flap to install the microfilter fully. If you have the micro filter slightly angled forward at the top and you push it up with a little bit of force it’s not hard to flip the flap.Looking at the latest REP in ISTA, it's at revision 6, for a cabin air filter chagne !!!
Just can't fathom why the cabin filter is allowed to even go past the "red line" (drawn in the picture below) to cause the top air flap to "flip" nearly 180 degrees...
Are these filters just getting "shoved" upward during install because there is no obvious stopping point or not noticing (paying attention to) how far up it was shoved up from the factory?
dinan5m3
,
ocdx3
02-11-2023
02-11-2023
freshxdough wroteOkay, thanks. Just haven't seen for myself completed install how it's sitting once pushed up properly.Red is showing where it catches the flap. You have to pass the flap to install the microfilter fully. If you have the micro filter slightly angled forward at the top and you push it up with a little bit of force it’s not hard to flip the flap.
Also maybe that step from factory about (properly) pushing "slightly forward" in the REP is what's necessary to avoid the flipping the flap.
Looking at the service records the last, and first microfilter was changed on 02/11/21 at 6,875 miles. Haven't checked the top flap but fans at max not noticing common symptoms, less air flow and whistling noise, so assuming either got replaced correctly, or got messed up and tech fixed it ~2 years ago when this was done, when factory probably didn't communicate this issue to the dealerships. I'll never know.
ocdx3
,
gofastbmw510
02-11-2023
02-11-2023
As a note to those who don't want to bother replacing it, I have to say, the thing still looked brand new when I pulled it out of my vehicle that is 4 years old and has 27k on it. I still replaced it since I had gone to the trouble, but if this was something easy to pull, I would have checked it first, and wouldn't have bothered.
02-12-2023
02-12-2023
Replicant wroteThe dealer replaces these at no cost during warranty. My wife just went in for an oil change on 2021 m40i and they just replaced it at 11k miles (second oil change).As a note to those who don't want to bother replacing it, I have to say, the thing still looked brand new when I pulled it out of my vehicle that is 4 years old and has 27k on it. I still replaced it since I had gone to the trouble, but if this was something easy to pull, I would have checked it first, and wouldn't have bothered.
internalaudit
08-12-2023
08-12-2023
mattsheng wroteJust want to address one bit of confusion before i do this: do I turn climate control off after setting recirculation on or do I need the system on while I do this?The air recirculation should be ON before replacing the cabin air filter. Air recirculation ON makes sure the air flap is shut so the filter can't push it out of position. See the attached repair instruction or SIB 64 03 21.
08-12-2023
08-12-2023
That70sGADawg
That70sGADawg
31
REP
30
POSTS
Alias1431 wroteYes, I just removed mine to use an ozone generator in the car to sterilize the vent /AC systems and then had to put it back in, I'm 66 years old, and it was quite a twist, but I could do it.Technically, it IS extremely easy. Not hard at all. It just fucking hurts. You need to contort yourself into this weird angle for periods of time. Skill? 2/10. Inconvenience? 6/10.
Plusforce
08-14-2023
08-14-2023
That70sGADawg wrotelol did you put it in recirc mode before doing this? Did you leave the fan off or shut the car off?Yes, I just removed mine to use an ozone generator in the car to sterilize the vent /AC systems and then had to put it back in, I'm 66 years old, and it was quite a twist, but I could do it.
directions are confusing AF on this point
08-14-2023
08-14-2023
thatguy09 wroteI replaced mine about a month ago. It took about 20 mins. I turned off the A/C and put the flap to outside air, that opens the flap and aligns it vertically so that it's a bit harder to push the flap when you swap the air filter assembly.lol did you put it in recirc mode before doing this? Did you leave the fan off or shut the car off?
directions are confusing AF on this point
I found that you need very little effort to slide the filter in, so there really shouldnt be any problems with screwing the flap.
I leave my recirc button to auto, found that the car almost always leaves the flap open.
Plusforce
,
internalaudit
08-14-2023
08-14-2023
bbb83 wroteMy dealer/service writer sucks, cus they refused to replace mine claiming it wasnt needed.The dealer replaces these at no cost during warranty. My wife just went in for an oil change on 2021 m40i and they just replaced it at 11k miles (second oil change).
I replaced it a month ago, but I guess I owe them an apology cus the filter that was in there was really clean. Still, I replaced it to get on the yearly replacement cycle along with the annual (ultimatecare) oil change
11-19-2023
11-19-2023
saabster2010 wroteDoesn’t an activated charcoal filter only work around 6-12 months or so? Activated charcoal can last a loooong time in storage but very different in a filter.My dealer/service writer sucks, cus they refused to replace mine claiming it wasnt needed.
I replaced it a month ago, but I guess I owe them an apology cus the filter that was in there was really clean. Still, I replaced it to get on the yearly replacement cycle along with the annual (ultimatecare) oil change
I changed mine last night and took about 15min. I didn’t put the new filter in all the way to avoid shoving it too far after hearing the horror stories on this thread. The old filter looked clean just like the new one, but when sniffed (that’s right, I smelled it) it had an odd musty odor to it. The new filter had no odor at all, so I’m glad I changed it. Then again, I’m at nearly 50k miles.
03-29-2024
03-29-2024
Kay0002
Optimistic Novice
37
REP
153
POSTS
I’m planning to do the cabin and engine filter soon.
1) Can someone please post the pdf with the correct instructions for ‘20 x30i?
2) Can someone confim the manufacturer for each filter? I dont currently have to the tools to pull out each filter and check.
Thank you
1) Can someone please post the pdf with the correct instructions for ‘20 x30i?
2) Can someone confim the manufacturer for each filter? I dont currently have to the tools to pull out each filter and check.
Thank you
03-30-2024
03-30-2024
Kay0002 wroteI'm not aware of any pdf but go on YouTube for instructions. Also, no particular manufacturer is needed. I've ordered a Hengst from Amazon in the past.I’m planning to do the cabin and engine filter soon.
1) Can someone please post the pdf with the correct instructions for ‘20 x30i?
2) Can someone confim the manufacturer for each filter? I dont currently have to the tools to pull out each filter and check.
Thank you
Kay0002
,
internalaudit
05-13-2024
05-13-2024
freshxdough wroteChecked and my flap is in the correct position but it doesn’t open that much the way your third picture looks. When I turn the recirc on and off, I do see movement but more of a stuck movement. Like it’s trying to move but can’t.Worst part about it is if you accidentally end up pushing the recirculating flap past it's end stop resulting in poor air flow and even a slight air resistance/whistle that can be heard during fan operation. Ask me how I know because I did it last week when I serviced my microfilter. I've done thousands of micro filters and the G01 apparently is the only one you can possibly do this with. Yesterday I had to remove the complete glove box, passenger knee airbag and the blower fan to be able to access the flap and flip it back over. This is a known issue and there is an SIB for it. According to the SIB replacement of the complete air conditioning box is necessary. I wasn't about to take my car back to my own dealer for that lol.
05-13-2024
05-13-2024
YaboiJustin wroteTake a clear picture with flash in the micro filter boxChecked and my flap is in the correct position but it doesn’t open that much the way your third picture looks. When I turn the recirc on and off, I do see movement but more of a stuck movement. Like it’s trying to move but can’t.
05-13-2024
05-13-2024
rob175
Major
993
REP
1.4K
POSTS
Could someone CONFIRM (once and for all) the proper flap position for this filter change? Seems like there's conflicting instructions.
Simple question:
Is "recirculating" air to be selected or should "outside" air to be selected?
Thx
Simple question:
Is "recirculating" air to be selected or should "outside" air to be selected?
Thx
05-13-2024
05-13-2024
freshxdough wroteLooks like it’s in the right position.Take a clear picture with flash in the micro filter box
05-13-2024
05-13-2024
05-13-2024
freshxdough wroteDamn it! I had a feeling too. When my AC is set to high it feels like it’s on the middle blower setting. Not as strong as I know it should be.Nope. It’s flipped.
