Finally Changed Microfilter! Easy As Cake!

[Delmarco]

Okay I followed Furious ' rules in the Tech DIY section. The thing was dirty. Actually...what prompted me to think about changing it was the chirping sounds behind the dash that came on when I had the heat on full blast....Also I noticed there was less air coming thru the cabin vents lately....(this was all due to a very dirty filter clogging the air). Also Remember if you guys don't change it it can mess up your air conditioning system....and/or get you sick!

Okay, so the BMW dealership quoted me $125 to change it. I told them I don't think so!
I paid $20 for the filter itself from the BMW dealership and changed it myself. It took me about 30 minutes to get to the actual filter cover (but once you do it again and know where to look and what to pull...the whole thing really takes about 5 minutes to get the filter out and about 10 minutes to replace the new one)

Getting the new one it took me about 1 hour because I forgot to remove the distribution block earlier when I removed the passenger floor vents and I eventually got stuck with trying to get the new filter in before I realized what I was doing wrong...If you don't remove the block ou wont get clearance for the new filter to go in. Also Once you fit the new filter in push it in towards the direction of the the rear end of the car and make sure there is a space behind the new filter so that when you put the filter door back it can fit all the way in.

Apart from my stupidity...its a very easy DIY task that NEEDS to be done every 10,000 miles for ALL E36....DO NOT remove your GLOVEBOX...follow furious upgraded DIY...but YOU DO NOT HAVE TO REMOVE GLOVEBOX to change filter!!!!


Old Filter vs. New Filter

Pulling the old filter out, notice I forgot to remove the block


wires wires everywhere ..but dont fear! it looks harder than it is!

Thanks Furious your DIY print out guided me!!

Dirt, leaves, hair, dead bugs, pollen!ewwww!

Lay a towel down or you'll stain your carpet!

What your filter will look like if you forget to change it!

[uber e36]

Nice job! Do you think having a factory alarm would cause any problems? Cause I think some of the alarm stuff is up there behind the glovebox...

[Fadec40]

Originally posted by geoff@bmw@Feb 9 2005, 08:18 AM
Nice job! Do you think having a factory alarm would cause any problems? Cause I think some of the alarm stuff is up there behind the glovebox...

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Yea, it's in the area,,but there is no problem moving stuff around..just take your time. It's not like you are disconnecting anything.

[Delmarco]

Originally posted by geoff@bmw@Feb 9 2005, 08:18 AM
Nice job! Do you think having a factory alarm would cause any problems? Cause I think some of the alarm stuff is up there behind the glovebox...

[snapback]288426[/snapback]

I can't say. I have a n aftermarket KeyLess Alarm and I'm not even sure where that's located.


I hear the factory alarm is only mounted on the black foam piece that covers the bottom of the glovebox and I can't reaaly see how that would've gotten in the way....unless it was glued on to the blck foam piece and had to be removed carefully by force.

[Fadec40]

Originally posted by Delmarco+Feb 9 2005, 09:05 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delmarco @ Feb 9 2005, 09:05 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-geoff@bmw@Feb 9 2005, 08:18 AM
Nice job!* Do you think having a factory alarm would cause any problems?* Cause I think some of the alarm stuff is up there behind the glovebox...

[snapback]288426[/snapback]

I can't say. I have a n aftermarket KeyLess Alarm and I'm not even sure where that's located.


I hear the factory alarm is only mounted on the black foam piece that covers the bottom of the glovebox and I can't reaaly see how that would've gotten in the way....unless it was glued on to the blck foam piece and had to be removed carefully by force.

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Just remember after you remove the glove compartment, there is a lot of stuff there. As long as you dont remove or disconnect ANYthing...you will be allright.

[Delmarco]

Originally posted by Fadec40+Feb 9 2005, 09:21 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fadec40 @ Feb 9 2005, 09:21 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>

I can't say. I have a n aftermarket KeyLess Alarm and I'm not even sure where that's located.


I hear the factory alarm is only mounted on the black foam piece that covers the bottom of the glovebox and I can't reaaly see how that would've gotten in the way....unless it was glued on to the blck foam piece and had to be removed carefully by force.

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Just remember after you remove the glove compartment, there is a lot of stuff there. As long as you dont remove or disconnect ANYthing...you will be allright.

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[/b][/quote]

NO!
You DO NOT have to remove your Glove Box! I didn't following Furious' advice. I can only imagine how much youcould fcuk up by removng the box...Also it's so easy doing it furious' way with only removing the kick panel and getting low, then pulling stuff out and unlatching the filter door. The glove box removal nly adds time, fustration and risk!

[Fadec40]

Originally posted by Delmarco+Feb 9 2005, 09:24 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delmarco @ Feb 9 2005, 09:24 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>

Ahhh...When I did mine I removed the box...But this year I will try it the easy way...Thanks.

By the way...there really isn't much to fcuk up..You just have to be careful.


Just remember after you remove the glove compartment, there is a lot of stuff there. As long as you dont remove or disconnect ANYthing...you will be allright.

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NO!
You DO NOT have to remove your Glove Box! I didn't following Furious' advice. I can only imagine how much youcould fcuk up by removng the box...Also it's so easy doing it furious' way with only removing the kick panel and getting low, then pulling stuff out and unlatching the filter door. The glove box removal nly adds time, fustration and risk!

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[/b][/quote]


Ahhh...When I did mine I removed the box...But this year I will try it the easy way...Thanks.

By the way...there really isn't much to fcuk up..You just have to be careful.

[tympboy]

the factory alarm, or any well installed keyless or alarm would be behind the glove box. it shouldnt be in the way tho. if it is they just unclip and there is no harm in unpluging it.

[Cruzin 323is]

what kind of benefits did you get with changing it!

[Fadec40]

Originally posted by Cruzin 323is@Feb 9 2005, 10:33 AM
what kind of benefits did you get with changing it!

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Your climate control system runs so much better. A/C,,defrosting, etc. Also this filter catches all the fine particles and pollen that would otherwise enter the cabin, even helping allergy sufferers.

Right now Lexus is running an ad about the benefit of these microfilters.

[jrhaile]

Del, did you photoshop your car?

[drz]

I'll change mine as soon as I get a chance. I'll be going to the dealership tomorrow. I'll make sure to pick up a microfilter. I'll take pics if mine is as filthy (or worse, hehe) than Delmarco's.

[Delmarco]

Originally posted by Fadec40+Feb 9 2005, 10:54 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fadec40 @ Feb 9 2005, 10:54 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-Cruzin 323is@Feb 9 2005, 10:33 AM
what kind of benefits did you get with changing it!

[snapback]288471[/snapback]

Your climate control system runs so much better. A/C,,defrosting, etc. Also this filter catches all the fine particles and pollen that would otherwise enter the cabin, even helping allergy sufferers.

Right now Lexus is running an ad about the benefit of these microfilters.

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[/b][/quote]

Well look at the pictures and tell me what you think!? used
Of course my heat comes out alot hotter and the air smells cleaner as well (this you only realize after you change the filter)

In fact when the filter gets dirty like that it still works to filter out the filth but less conditioned air circulates into the cabin and your air may be funkier in smell depending on what you got stuck in the dirty filter!

I guess the biggest difference is air comes out must faster and hotter (i would assume cooler as well if it was summer and I was running the a/c). The cabin also heats up quicker. And the air feels fresher and less musty!

Also there is no wierd clicking and whistling (chirping) noise behind the dash....
I credited that to the microfilter being dirty...

It so easy and cheap to change it I can't imagine how the benifits cannot out weigh any arguements against not changing it!

[Delmarco]

Originally posted by jrhaile@Feb 9 2005, 11:07 AM
Del, did you photoshop your car?

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yeah... :P

[jshearer]

Originally posted by Delmarco+Feb 9 2005, 01:16 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delmarco @ Feb 9 2005, 01:16 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-jrhaile@Feb 9 2005, 11:07 AM
Del, did you photoshop your car?

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yeah... :P

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Wait what? What did you do. I am not really familiar with your car how is that picture supposed to look?
Enought off subject. The microfilter thing is supposed to be great I am not sure the differences though I had the place doing the maintenance checkup on my car when i first bought it change my filter too.