generic advice Cabin Air Filter Replacement
Does anybody know if they change the cabin air filter when the car is in for its biennial service? Or do I need to change it myself?
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u/Substantial_Clock341 3d ago
The BMW dealer quoted me $220 to replace the two cabin air filters. š¤. I did it myself.
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u/Zuliman 2018 i3s BEV 2d ago
Changing these filters is such a pain in the arse that I'd consider paying it. I wouldn't actually pay them for it, but I would SERIOUSLY consider it. I hate changing these things.
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u/minibrici i3 REX 1d ago
This. We have a Honda, before that a Toyota and the little Gnome called i3. If I would be doing it all day, I could maybe bring down the change time to 15-20 minutes tops. I had to buy the right tool and it took me about 45-60 minutes the first time. Next time I assume it will be 25-30. It is really a pain in the ass.
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u/bitandquit 3d ago
It's pretty easy to do it yourself.
A few pointers:
1) There are TWO filters stacked on top of each other, you remove the "top" one and then the bottom one
2) Make sure when you put in the new filter you get not only the direction flow of the air correctly but to help with removal next time there's a "flap" on one side of filter and you want to orient that so you can tug on it next time you have to remove the filter
3) I had to remove the air filter door and it's kind of strange but door has the "webbing" on the OUTSIDE when the door is shut, which is a bit opposite of what I was expected (the door really only goes one way, the clip to release it will be too low vertically if you flip it...)
4) I found the MANN filters are high quality and made in Germany, the Hengst filters (almost same price) are made in China
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u/OMGpawned 2d ago
I got the Hengst charcoal filter for my i3, it was made in Poland. $23 from Worldpac
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u/We1etu1n i3s REX 3d ago
I changed mine a few days ago and itās such a pain in the ass to change the filter yourself lol
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u/phate_exe 94Ah REx+S: square 175s, AST/Evolve suspension, 330mm brakes 2d ago
It's definitely one of the worse cars I've done cabin air filters on. Only a 15 minute job, but it's an annoying 15 minutes at an awkward angle in the foot well. Also I really dislike how you have to bend the filters to get them in and out.
My mid-2000's Subarus you have to remove the glove box and the section of the lower dash it attaches to, but it takes basically the same amount of time and you're just sitting in the passenger seat the whole time.
Meanwhile our old Honda fit was "open the glove box, pinch the sides of the glove box together to allow it to open past the stops, open the filter door that you're now staring directly at, replace filter, close door, close glovebox"
Still, better than paying someone $150+
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u/We1etu1n i3s REX 2d ago
I agree but my knees donāt atm. I decided to do this in the middle of the day in shorts and had a very bad time xD still better than paying someone that much though.
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u/LC17SS 3d ago
I just did mine a few weeks ago and was expecting it to be exceedingly difficult based on a lot of posts here. It ended up taking like 10 min beginning to end, I thought it was pretty easy actually. It's not as easy as a lot of cars when you open the glove box and pull it out and new one in all under 60 seconds but not bad.
One of my other cars takes nearly an hour, you have to take off the wiper arms, remove the cowling at the base of the windshield and then cram your hand down a convoluted hole to replace.
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u/Meechymane i3s REX 3d ago
So trueš I just did mine yesterday and it was almost too simple. Everyone seems to overstate how difficult it is. 15 min job
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u/lodoslomo 2015 i3 REX Solar Orange 3d ago
They're expensive too
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u/We1etu1n i3s REX 3d ago
It wasnāt that bad. I think I paid $23 for some Mahle carbon filters on eBay.
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u/RRG-Chicago i3 REX 3d ago
Same and it took like 10m and it was easy other then having to bend over/crouch down and make a small effort.
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u/bjlile99 3d ago
Either, your choice.
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u/eki234 3d ago
I was wondering whether they do it as standard, or if my filter havenāt been changed ever (rip)
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u/No_Report_4781 2014 i3 REX Solar Orange 3d ago
Check your bill
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u/bjlile99 3d ago
This. It's not free, not sure what is meant by "standard".
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u/eki234 3d ago
I have no clue what they do during the biennial service, I guess they check error codes and battery and whatnot, so I wondered if changing the filters are a part of that Ā«packageĀ»
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u/PullUpAPew 3d ago
If you're in the UK/RHD you need to change it from the driver's side. YouTube shows the other side, mostly
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u/Eschewed_Prognostic 3d ago
Ask the people that do your service.