DIY: Let's Replace the Cabin Filters

[JonM]

I replace my cabin microfilters once a year. I live in the south in high humidity, and it is easy for them to collect mold and mildew. In this (rare) case, I do not buy the OEM parts. The OEM parts are sold under part number 64319159606 and the 4 of them (sold as a set) retail for $131.61 r.

Instead, I buy Mann CUK 22 008-4. I buy them from Amazon.com for $45.68 with free shipping and no sales tax. The CUK 22 008-4 gets you all 4 filters you need to do the change.

The Mann filters are not identical to OEM. The OEM filters have a plastic ring around them. The Mann do not. The Mann have "wings" made of filter material and they actually fit a little bit nicer than the OEM ones. But, do not freak out during the DIY as they are different.

The Mann filters come with a nice DIY guide with pictures. However, I deviated a little from their directions and I will post my way here.

To begin, un-clip the weather stripping at the top of the engine bay.



Once removed, you will see 3 8mm bolts for each filter housing. Remove those. The Mann directions specify you should remove the hood (alarm) switch. I did not. Leave it alone. You can easily turn over the left (as you sit i the driver's seat) filter assembly with the switch still connected. No need to pry and remove it and risk engine bay scratches. Once the 3 bolts are removed and the housings are turned upside down, push the OEM filters out from the inside. Your hand will fit into the inlet. You may need a flat blade screw driver on one of the 2 filters.







As far as I can tell, one of the four filters does nothing. It is there in case the car is RHD. And I assume if you have an RHD car, one of the LHD filters does nothing. You will see the blanking plate sealing off the air flow under one of the 4 filters. I assume BMW uses 4 in order to make them all the same and symmetrical. ???

Replace the filters taking care to install them with the "air flow" indicators on the filters in the proper orientation.





Replace all parts as you removed them.

One way to greatly extend the life of your microfilters is to turn off the compressor (or "Auto" climate control if you use it) a minute or two before you shut off the engine. But, leave the fan blowing. This will help blow out the moist condensation air in the system and will prevent mildew. It works really well and I do it every time I shut down my car.

[nujabes24]

thanks OP, Need to do that soon

[Andy_H_E92_M3]

Thanks for the reco, OP. I may have to buy this off Amazon next time.

1. I didn't need to remove the weather stripping to access the hex screws.
2. Is the new filter in your last pic being inserted upside down?

[JonM]

Originally Posted by Andy_H_E92_M3

Thanks for the reco, OP. I may have to buy this off Amazon next time.

1. I didn't need to remove the weather stripping to access the hex screws.
2. Is the new filter in your last pic being inserted upside down?

You are right about the weather stripping. You may not need to remove it. I did because I am always nervous about dropping bolts and hardware and I wanted plenty of room to keep my free hand on them as I unscrewed them.

The filter housing is shown upside down. In that configuration, the new filter should be pointed in the down direction, as shown.

[SoTempted]

Subbed. Not sure if this has been done in my almost 2 years of ownership.

[Longbow64]

Did mine the other day. Thanks for the link on Amazon. So just to confirm, when installed the filter arrows should point down?

[vastano]

well crap, I did mine yesterday and I'm pretty sure i pointed my arrows up...

[Longbow64]

That's why I'm asking.

[HPF_E92]

Do you guys know if they will ship to Canada ? I was just about to pull the trigger.

[Longbow64]

When I ordered mine, it initially slated the delivery date for mid-Oct. Then I got an email the next day saying they would be delivered by the end of the week I ordered them. I'm not sure if they will ship to Canada, but when I bought them they went through Amazon's shipping company because they qualified for free shipping using Amazon Prime.

[JonM]

Originally Posted by Longbow64

Did mine the other day. Thanks for the link on Amazon. So just to confirm, when installed the filter arrows should point down?

Yes, point in the direction of air flow.

[spr]

Are the mann charcoal filters? It looks like they don't have the rubber around the perimeter. Do they seal 100% then? If so how? Thanks.

[JonM]

Originally Posted by spr

Are the mann charcoal filters? It looks like they don't have the rubber around the perimeter. Do they seal 100% then? If so how? Thanks.

Yes, charcoal.

The blade seal design in the Mann fits plenty tight.

[Grail05]

very cheap alternative just ordered one last one left guys.

http://www.amazon.com/Mann-Filter-CU...n+CUK+22+008-4

[jphughan]

Nice write-up OP! But if one of the four filters does nothing, does it need to be replaced? I assume if it's sealed off from any air flow, it should never get dirty, so I wonder why BMW doesn't just sell them in sets of 3 and have a dummy bit of plastic in the fourth slot....

[Grail05]

Originally Posted by jphughan

Nice write-up OP! But if one of the four filters does nothing, does it need to be replaced? I assume if it's sealed off from any air flow, it should never get dirty, so I wonder why BMW doesn't just sell them in sets of 3 and have a dummy bit of plastic in the fourth slot....

hmmm i just replaced mine and all four are dirty same amount of dirt. I would replace everything... i think its there for a reason. if not then i have no clue why all four of my filter are dirty... im sure it works.

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by Sean05

hmmm i just replaced mine and all four are dirty same amount of dirt. I would replace everything... i think its there for a reason. if not then i have no clue why all four of my filter are dirty... im sure it works.

Ok, that makes more sense. Thanks!

[IntegraXTR]

Great write up!

I checked amazon, looks liked they upped the price to 50 dollars and some change with 7.45 shipping. Still far lower than OEM BMW...

I'll have to check my filters, they were replaced during my last warranty service last year.

Good to know there's good alternatives out there =)

[Someone?]

DO NOT ORDER THESE SHIT MANN FILTERS!!!!!!! Theres no way these trash POS will seal at all like OEM, spend the extra 34-40 on OEM's.
With that stupid paper lip which who the fuck knows how they tuck in, The ends of the Mann finter curve when installed and air will just go around the filter. Mann=JUNK

[tlp]

Originally Posted by ibmike

DO NOT ORDER THESE SHIT MANN FILTERS!!!!!!! Theres no way these trash POS will seal at all like OEM, spend the extra 34-40 on OEM's.
With that stupid paper lip which who the fuck knows how they tuck in, The ends of the Mann finter curve when installed and air will just go around the filter. Mann=JUNK

So your oil filter is junk as well? That is also made by MANN.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by ibmike

DO NOT ORDER THESE SHIT MANN FILTERS!!!!!!! Theres no way these trash POS will seal at all like OEM, spend the extra 34-40 on OEM's.
With that stupid paper lip which who the fuck knows how they tuck in, The ends of the Mann finter curve when installed and air will just go around the filter. Mann=JUNK

Can you please post a photo of what you mean? It's borderline-baiting to just make some wild statement with zero proof of what you're claiming.

Mann is a huge OEM supplier for air filters, oil filters, etc. They aren't "junk".

[marksae]

Look at the pictures above and you can see the Mann filters' plastic frame does not go all the way around the filter. It only covers two out of the four sides. For this reason, I spent the extra money on the OEM filters. I'm pretty picky when it comes to stuff like this.