[bbb83]

I'll never replace that thing, not worth it to screw things up or pay dealership hundreds of dollars

[lfdal54]

Originally Posted by bbb83

I'll never replace that thing, not worth it to screw things up or pay dealership hundreds of dollars

It's really not that hard. I'm old and did mine. I thought it was easier than the one in my wife's F31 wagon. And way easier than in my ex's 2012 Nissan Versa.

But - if it's outside your comfort zone, I agree, don't mess with it. Every time I start a repair, I do so with the acceptance that it might get flat bedded to the dealership in the worst-case scenario.

[509er]

Originally Posted by lfdal54

It's really not that hard. I'm old and did mine. I thought it was easier than the one in my wife's F31 wagon. And way easier than in my ex's 2012 Nissan Versa.

But - if it's outside your comfort zone, I agree, don't mess with it. Every time I start a repair, I do so with the acceptance that it might get flat bedded to the dealership in the worst-case scenario.

Haha. That's a good visual!

Wow - after looking at those PDF instructions, I'm amazed how complicated they've made it. As someone said earlier in this thread, replacing the CAF in my E90 was easy peasy - under the cowl in the engine bay.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Ayyleoo

How does even happen

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.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Poppyboy

It’s incredible how gullible and ignorant people can be by letting stealerships screw them over on these routine items. Samcrac just did a video on his brother’s BMW. His stealership wanted over $400 to do this! It took me less than 15 minutes and $30 to change out on our ‘19 30i.
https://www.amazon.com/Cabin-Filter-...209&sr=8-3

Not everyone knows how to use a screwdriver. Or has any kind of mechanical common sense.

[russog01]

Hi all. Planning to do replace the cabin filter on my 2019 x3 but confused on which mode the hvac should be in….The discussion in this threads indicates the hvac should be in fresh air mode but looks like bmw guidance (SIB 64 03 21) is now the opposite, put the hvac in recirculating mode (led on). Here is article on this topic too: https://www.import-car.com/bmw-diagn...r-replacement/

Anyone recently replace their cabin filter with recirculating led on without any issues?

Thanks

[mattsheng]

Originally Posted by russog01

Hi all. Planning to do replace the cabin filter on my 2019 x3 but confused on which mode the hvac should be in….The discussion in this threads indicates the hvac should be in fresh air mode but looks like bmw guidance (SIB 64 03 21) is now the opposite, put the hvac in recirculating mode (led on). Here is article on this topic too: https://www.import-car.com/bmw-diagn...r-replacement/

Anyone recently replace their cabin filter with recirculating led on without any issues?

Thanks

The SIB you referenced is correct.

[russog01]

Thanks. I found it easy to replace the cabin filter except for contorting myself under he glove box.

Also glad I did this myself because noticed the drainage hose was slightly kinked from not being placed in its cradle last time the filter was changed. Car is a CPO so this was likely done by a dealer tech.

[nbrewno]

I’m assuming nobody here has changed the cabin filter in a Volvo S40? There isn’t enough room to slide it out so you have to remove the gas pedal assembly. This sounds like a piece of cake compared to that one.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by russog01

Hi all. Planning to do replace the cabin filter on my 2019 x3 but confused on which mode the hvac should be in….The discussion in this threads indicates the hvac should be in fresh air mode but looks like bmw guidance (SIB 64 03 21) is now the opposite, put the hvac in recirculating mode (led on). Here is article on this topic too: https://www.import-car.com/bmw-diagn...r-replacement/

Anyone recently replace their cabin filter with recirculating led on without any issues?

Thanks

Recirc mode. Initially the SIB said fresh air. Then it was corrected.

[mike murphy]

This is one of the easiest things I’ve done on any car!

Those that are having trouble and cannot stretch, bend, and flex their bodies would be a lot better off - health-wise - in stretching their bodies more. I’m not judging, but just saying that staying fit and healthy involves being flexible, and over time, especially as we age, it’s going to add significant longevity to stay flexible.

Here’s a tip: kneeling on the driveway with the door wide open helps. And pushing the seat all the way back and flat as possible while laying on the seat on your back makes this much easier!

[Bob in IL]

Originally Posted by mike murphy

This is one of the easiest things I’ve done on any car!

Those that are having trouble and cannot stretch, bend, and flex their bodies would be a lot better off - health-wise - in stretching their bodies more. I’m not judging, but just saying that staying fit and healthy involves being flexible, and over time, especially as we age, it’s going to add significant longevity to stay flexible.

Here’s a tip: kneeling on the driveway with the door wide open helps. And pushing the seat all the way back and flat as possible while laying on the seat on your back makes this much easier!

I have an appointment tomorrow for routine service and have been debating whether or not to have them change the filter.
This convinced me to have it done. If I was younger, I'd definitely do it myself.

[rob175]

So just to clarify once and for all.....should the system be set to RE-CIRCULATE or FRESH AIR before you begin replacing the Cabin air filter???

Thx

[X3rd Time Is a Charm]

Originally Posted by rob175

So just to clarify once and for all.....should the system be set to RE-CIRCULATE or FRESH AIR before you begin replacing the Cabin air filter???

Thx

This ^^^^. The conversation went back and forth and I don’t think anyone agreed with what position it should be in . I think Freshxdough said Recirculate mode ?? I’ve done it once and must have got lucky because it seems to be working fine.Being in my 60’s ,I didn’t really find it hard to do. Especially since the dealer wanted to charge me over $600.00 dollars to do both , the air cabin filter and air filter.I just don’t remember which mode I had it in .

[COM40]

Originally Posted by nbrewno

I’m assuming nobody here has changed the cabin filter in a Volvo S40? There isn’t enough room to slide it out so you have to remove the gas pedal assembly. This sounds like a piece of cake compared to that one.

I had a S40 years ago. That air filter was a royal PITA. Mine was lowered a bit and resulted in an extremely awkward replacement position. I.e. contorting yourself upside down like some weird yoga pose for a good 30 min, which left a sore back the rest of the day.

If the X3 is anything like that I'll just have a shop do it.

[kevinkay]

and for those who have never even tried yet - there are 2 torque screws you need to remove.....

[rob175]

Bump.....

So just to clarify once and for all.....should the system be set to RE-CIRCULATE or FRESH AIR before you begin replacing the Cabin air filter???

Thx

[Replicant]

Originally Posted by rob175

Bump.....

So just to clarify once and for all.....should the system be set to RE-CIRCULATE or FRESH AIR before you begin replacing the Cabin air filter???

Thx

Make sure recirculate is OFF(Correcting myself here. I did it off and everything is fine, but I was corrected below with the official BMW guidance )Took me all of 10 minutes, I don't know why people make such a big deal about this. I would never claim it is convenient, but it's somewhere between an easy engine air filter swap and an oil change.

[Alias1431]

I thought it was said that recirculate should be ON?

[dinan5m3]

Originally Posted by Replicant

Took me all of 10 minutes,

it's somewhere between an easy engine air filter swap and an oil change.

10 minutes to change an oil?

[mattsheng]

Originally Posted by rob175

Bump.....

So just to clarify once and for all.....should the system be set to RE-CIRCULATE or FRESH AIR before you begin replacing the Cabin air filter???

Thx

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.

[Replicant]

My mistake then. I thought guidance from BMW was still recirc off. I guess I got lucky then, I did it with recirc off and haven’t had any issues. Though to me having recirc on would make more sense from a mechanical perspective.