DIY: Changing Air Filter/Installing AFE Air Filter for E9X M3's w/Pics

Install was pretty easy. Anyone with basic mechanical know-how can do it in about 15 minutes.

Tools Needed:
Torx screwdriver size 20
Flathead screwdriver

1. Locate the air box. You'll find 8 Torx 20 screws that hold it on. Use your Torx 20 screwdriver to loosen the screws. It is not necessary to completely remove the screws, just unscrew them enough so it gets loose (it'll help you keep track of your screws too! ) Be careful and try not to drop any screws deep down into the engine compartment because it's not fun to fish them out.



2. When all the screws have been loosened, pull off the air box cover. Easiest way is to pull up and to the right.


3. Loosen the clamp around the rubber intake.


4. Now you're ready to remove the filter. To the right of the filter is a piece of plastic that sticks out with a rounded end. That's a tensioner. Now all I did was pull up (you might have to give it a little elbow grease) and it came right out. The piece of plastic that connects the intake to the filter will probably come off with the filter too.


5. Reinstall the plastic piece to the intake. Ensure that you got it on properly. Tighten the clamp until its snug.


6. After everything looks good, begin to slide in the replacement filter. Depress the tensioner and install the filter. Some tensioners are looser than others, if yours doesn't give very much, just push the filter in. After the filter is in, ensure that everything is lined up properly and snugly.

Finished Product


7. Now you're ready to put the cover back on. Make sure you fit the cover back on the way it's supposed to be...specifically tucking the cover under this plastic duct piece:


8. Screw all the screws in and viola! All done. Enjoy!

Nice job! Now, where can I find that filter? It doesn't show up in the search on their website...

awsome. thanks for sharing!

CinciE92M3 wrote

Nice job! Now, where can I find that filter? It doesn't show up in the search on their website...

i got it from harold with HP autowerks. details in this thread: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=168984

Interesting. I wrote a DIY here. Torx size is actually T-25. T-20 fits but will strip it if you are not careful. I also found it easier to disconnect the rubber pipe at the other end, but there's always more than one way to skin a cat.

Nice writeup. Now I have to go get a set of Torx!

badfish wrote

Interesting. I wrote a DIY here. Torx size is actually T-25. T-20 fits but will strip it if you are not careful. I also found it easier to disconnect the rubber pipe at the other end, but there's always more than one way to skin a cat.

ahh didn't even see that one

Nice!

12 minutes flat.....such a simple upgrade.

quite simple.... but just a word of caution, the edges of the inside of the plastic are quite sharp... got a nasty slice on my palm trying to pull out the old filer.... be careful.... CHeers

I got mine and installed it yesterday. Didn't notice much until I was driving around at night - no radio or A/C on - and when I got into the throttle I could hear the air being sucked into the hood intake... very cool!! I didn't even have my window open...

schnell325 wrote

12 minutes flat.....such a simple upgrade.

You guys are fast, can we ask you to come down and install some filters?

Send me a ticket!!

Whoa whoa whoa, you can tell the difference by just changing the type of filter?

Does this provide documented increases in air flow? I'd consider buying it just for the sound.

I can't feel any difference in power, but the sound is definitely different.

I can't say whether the stock filter made the "air intake" sound or not because I wasn't listening for it before. It definitely does now though, and it's pretty cool!

ACZakka325i wrote

Whoa whoa whoa, you can tell the difference by just changing the type of filter?

Does this provide documented increases in air flow? I'd consider buying it just for the sound.

There is probably a few ponies there, but not enough for the butt dyno to feel.

The sound is just an added benefit!

HP Autowerks wrote

There is probably a few ponies there, but not enough for the butt dyno to feel.

The sound is just an added benefit!

I agree with that.

Received the Dry version this morning and followed the DIY guide got it installed earlier. Will drive a bit later see how much difference it makes. Installation is not difficult, but not as easy as I expect or I am just not handy enough.

installed the dry version today. Had to re-install it twice because i kept getting a rattle during hard acceleration. BUT its still doing it! guess i'll just have to try again.

jdmish wrote

installed the dry version today. Had to re-install it twice because i kept getting a rattle during hard acceleration. BUT its still doing it! guess i'll just have to try again.

I get that same rattle. I have taken it apart twice now and everything is in there firmly. Was wondering if anyone else had this issue?
There is a slight rattle as you accelerate and then it goes away.

Reincarnated wrote

I get that same rattle. I have taken it apart twice now and everything is in there firmly. Was wondering if anyone else had this issue?
There is a slight rattle as you accelerate and then it goes away.

+1

I have the exact same issue. I keep thinking that the filter is not completely flush with the intake, and that it is letting unfiltered air to flutter into the intake, causing the rattle noise.

Does everyone experience this sound under load?

Reincarnated wrote

I get that same rattle. I have taken it apart twice now and everything is in there firmly. Was wondering if anyone else had this issue?
There is a slight rattle as you accelerate and then it goes away.

i tripled checked all the fitment every time i reinstalled it (thrice). Im 99% sure its just the sound of air turbulence going through the intake. I even did a back to back swap of the stock and AFE filter and noticed if you listen really close even the stock filter makes the fluttering noise between 3-4 rpm during hard acceleration.