just replaced my filter with a k&n drop in. the power improved a bit and the noise is throatier. :thumbup:

i hate the install process.

Ed,

How about posting some pics of your new mods ?

No idea how concise this is but found it on another site, a few pics and this would have been perfect


Completed this at the first attempt tonight. Do it better than the dealer, - who can't be bothered doing it properly, as you'll never know - or so they think.

It's pretty easy, but very time consuming, for what should be a 10 minute swap.

NTS = NO TOOL REQUIRED

before you start, you WILL NEED:

1) to be tall
2) to have a magnetic nut/bolt tray
3) to have a small socket set (mine's a Teng one)
4) Patience, and the ability to think logically.

The air filter's to the left of the oil filler cap, beneath that black plastic cover. Most of the disassembly and reassembly of the car is to allow access to the nuts and bolts at the rear of that cover.

PUT YOUR MAGNETIC TOOL / NUT TRAY ON THE FRONT R/H HEADLIGHT, AND OFF WE GO.

First task - to remove the pollen filter housing.

a)Remove the rubber trim from the bulkhead area surrounding the pollen filter holder. Front and back. NTR
b)Remove the plastic mesh that's held on with 5 x turn screws, again surrounding the pollen filter (about 3 feet long) NTR
c) Remove the plastic ducting on the left and right of the pollen filter housing (about as big as your hand). They just clip out. NTR
d)Undo the 2 x 13mm steel nuts in front of the bulkhead on the left and right. (one is directly behind the washer bottle)
e)Slide out the pollen filter assembly complete. (it's big and heavy) and lay on the floor. NTR

Now you can see the entire top of the engine.
Next is to remove a bit more of the LHS plastic area around the wiper motor to allow more access.

f)Climb on top of the engine, and remove the bottom wiper motor nut, and 2 x 10mm(ish) bolts from under it. There's one more, on top, near the bottom wiper motor nut.
g) Bend, and force this piece of plastic out of the way, as you need to to gain access to the hex nuts on the air filter cover. NTR
h)Remove the flexi ducting from between the front of the air filter cover and the radiator cowl. (about 3" diameter) NTR
i) Undo the 5 (yes 5) hex nuts from the air filter cover. The rear LHS one will mean YOU being ON the engine again. The hex nuts can't be lost, as they're attached to the cover.
j) Remove the oil filler cap, and lift off the air filter cover. NTR
K) Replace the air filter, and reassemble in the reverse order. NTR

When re-installing i) above, start with the 2 hex nuts on the left, as they are awkward to do otherwise.

I read elsewhere that it's easier to do this with the washer bottle removed. After doing this, I don't think so really.

Target time - 50 minutes.
Print this out, and be methodical.

Tim.

Hi
To all the 3.0d owners, here is a link to another site with pictures of how to replace the air filter.
xdrivers.co.uk • View topic - changing air filter E53 30d

I can't believe BMW are dumb enough to make it his hard. According to other posts it is common practice for the dealers to charge for air filter replacement but not actually do it.

Another reason why I do my own maintenance. Only way to know for sure what oil goes in and what really gets replaced.