[Replicant]

Originally Posted by dinan5m3

10 minutes to change an oil?

I meant the difficulty not the time.

[dinan5m3]

Well, in that case...

DIY to save $180+tax
Aches and pains afterwards - priceless

[Navypilot]

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]

Originally Posted by dinan5m3

Well, in that case...

DIY to save $180+tax
Aches and pains afterwards - priceless

It 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.

[dinan5m3]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

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.

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?

[Replicant]

Originally Posted by dinan5m3

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?

It 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.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by dinan5m3

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?

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.

[dinan5m3]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

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.

Okay, thanks. Just haven't seen for myself completed install how it's sitting once pushed up properly.

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.

[Replicant]

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.

[bbb83]

Originally Posted by Replicant

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.

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).

[Ayyleoo]

Yes put it in fresh then cycle it a few times and it’s back to normal - anyone have access to find the locks for the leg room cover?? I pushed up too hard and popped it out broken

[thatguy09]

Originally Posted by mattsheng

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.

Just 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?

[That70sGADawg]

Originally Posted by Alias1431

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.

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.

[thatguy09]

Originally Posted by That70sGADawg

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.

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

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by thatguy09

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 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.


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.

[TacosRule!]

Originally Posted by bbb83

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).

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

[cutnsew]

Originally Posted by saabster2010

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

Doesn’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.
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.

[Kay0002]

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

[gphin]

Originally Posted by Kay0002

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

I'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.