DIY A/C Recirculation FIlter Replacement
 

OK, so I got around to doing this today. It really is pretty straightforward.

First, remove the panel under the glovebox which is held in place by three black phillips head screws.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...5/DSC_1001.jpg
Pull the panel down and undo the harness to the light by pulling straight out.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...5/DSC_1003.jpg
Now you can move the panel out of the way against the center tunnel. You will now see a long air duct that is held in place by two silver T-20 screws. After releasing the screws, pull the duct down and it will unsnap out of the main duct near the center of the car.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...5/DSC_1002.jpg
You can now look up and see the side of the filter next to a large wire bundle.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...5/DSC_1004.jpg
Next, you'll have to remove a small piece of duct against the firewall that would otherwise keep you from being able to pull out the filter. Just pull on it and it will snap out of the other piece it connects to.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...5/DSC_1009.jpg
Now you need to slide the bottom of the filter housing about an inch towards the right and then you can pull the cover down releasing the filter which just slides down towards the carpet. Try to take note of how the filter's bottom cover is oriented when you remove it. It will make it a lot easier when it's time to replace the cover after you install your new filter. You will have to bend it slightly to get it completely out of the housing.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...5/DSC_1010.jpg
My old filter was not awfully dirty, but it had a nice layer of dust on it. The new filter I bought was a different material from the original.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...5/DSC_1007.jpg
Slide the new filter back up into the housing, replace the bottom cover and the slide it to the left to lock it in place. This picture shows the cover before sliding it to the left. You can see some of the bottom of the filter from below.
http://i285.photobucket.com/albums/l...5/DSC_1014.jpg
Replace the two ducts, plug the light back in, and replace the cover and your done.

Hope this helps.

Thank you, Tony,
So far I just spoke to the Parts only. In both dealers nobody from the Parts suggested that the Shop would be the right place.
I'll try your way, definitely.
Tony, maybe you know. This is about another can't-find item.
I'm looking for the white isolation tape, that BMW is using to warp around two or more el.wires. It's narrow (8-10mm wide), and thin.

Sorry, I've only seen that tape in black.

Thank you, Xtony. These pics/explanation will help me a bunch!

Just did this filter replacement. Very easy to do.

It's been a couple of weeks, but that musky smell that I used to have on start-up has disappeared after replacing the filter. Added bonus.

XTony----:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

We should have a few of these like filter replacement, for the engine and cabin, maybe pad replacement etc., etc. from poeple who know how to work on vehicles and show us (less fortunate ones) who don't by way of stickies, We have a sticky for pics,,,so why not minor maintenance items???? Just a thought..........:dunno:

I must say I'm glad I waded through all the usual idle threads about wheels and obsessing over what unpainted parts should be painted to match and how much the dealer charges for that...to find something actually useful.

I've also had the recirculating stink and I bet this is why. I will be attempting this in the near future.:cool:

I also posted a DIY for front brake pad replacement with pictures:

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...t-08-4-8l.html

Some more very useful information,,,,,,,,,,,,Thanks XTony