Cleaning the Air Filter

Rupes · 09-04-2014, 03:17 PM

Whats the rule of thumb for cleaning vs. replacing the stock air filter? My M3 has 30k miles and it has never been done. Today, I shook it out, and vacuumed it with a hand held bristle attachment. I then used my finger to clean out any debris inside each "blade." I noticed the cleaning from the vacuum may have rouged up some of the lining on the outside of the filter, but nothing too bad. Is this a concern? Should I just replace it after 30k miles anyway?

Helmsman · 09-04-2014, 03:26 PM

Changed my stock filter shortly after I bought the car, around 14k miles. Definitely needed in my eyes. $50, nothing to spare on to keep the S65 clean and happy mate...

Patrón · 09-04-2014, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupes

Whats the rule of thumb for cleaning vs. replacing the stock air filter? My M3 has 30k miles and it has never been done. Today, I shook it out, and vacuumed it with a hand held bristle attachment. I then used my finger to clean out any debris inside each "blade." I noticed the cleaning from the vacuum may have rouged up some of the lining on the outside of the filter, but nothing too bad. Is this a concern? Should I just replace it after 30k miles anyway?

spend a little more and get an afe or k&n.

thekurgan · 09-04-2014, 04:45 PM

I replace mine yearly (~5k miles), they're cheap.

4corners · 09-04-2014, 10:08 PM

The filters rely on very small fibers and other materials to trap very small particles. Cleaning methods are critical, poking with a too stiff a brush, blowing it out with compressed air, maybe a vacuum, depending on how strong, can all potentially damage the fibers and leave big holes in your filtering capability. Oiled filters make the fibers sticky to improve filtering, theoretically.

You can check and clean a replaceable air filter every oil change and you would not be too anal. 30000 miles or approximately two oil changes seems like a lot of miles in between checking and cleaning to me.

I change my oil every 10k and at least inspect the filter, and I change my plugs every 30k. The air box comes off to do the plugs so there's no excuse not to clean it.

surlynkid · 09-05-2014, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupes

Whats the rule of thumb for cleaning vs. replacing the stock air filter? My M3 has 30k miles and it has never been done. Today, I shook it out, and vacuumed it with a hand held bristle attachment. I then used my finger to clean out any debris inside each "blade." I noticed the cleaning from the vacuum may have rouged up some of the lining on the outside of the filter, but nothing too bad. Is this a concern? Should I just replace it after 30k miles anyway?

I have a brand new OEM one in the box that I will sell you.

Rupes · 09-05-2014, 07:09 AM

Thanks guys. I picked up a new one from the dealer for $40 and put it in last night. Cheap insurance.

Ezio · 09-05-2014, 12:24 PM

I usually replace my filter every 10k miles. I also use aftermarket filters. They are to cheap to clean IMO. For 50-100 bucks every 10k miles I will just buy one

Z K · 09-05-2014, 12:35 PM

I think the air filter change interval is 30k miles for the M3. Every car is different. I guess because the filter element is larger on the M3, they change it less.

I have a cleanable aftermarket filter so I clean it every 7.5k miles or so.

s85e90 · 09-05-2014, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezio

I usually replace my filter every 10k miles. I also use aftermarket filters. They are to cheap to clean IMO. For 50-100 bucks every 10k miles I will just buy one

Talk about wasting money.

thekurgan · 09-05-2014, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s85e90

Talk about wasting money.

Aren't you the guy who spends $100/day in fuel?

s85e90 · 09-05-2014, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Aren't you the guy who spends $100/day in fuel?

Yes because I have to go places. What's the point here? Can I reuse the fuel? If I could I would. I'm not throwing something away with value.

BTW today was $160 in gas but I still have 1/2 tank left.

Ezio · 09-05-2014, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s85e90

Talk about wasting money.

To me spending 50 bucks every 10k miles is peanuts. cleaning a filter is a hassle, and 50 is again peanuts..... This is coming from a guy who drives a 70k BMW. dont forget.

thekurgan · 09-06-2014, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s85e90

Yes because I have to go places. What's the point here? Can I reuse the fuel? If I could I would. I'm not throwing something away with value.

BTW today was $160 in gas but I still have 1/2 tank left.

Yeah man, you put some miles on that thing.

I guess, for me, where I live, my filter gets dirty within one year. We have a high dust/mold/spore count and the filters can be had cheap, so it's part of my yearly maintenance. They are about $35 so it's not much and also recyclable paper and rubber.

09-04-2014, 03:17 PM	#1
Rupes Major 1056 Rep 1,459 Posts Drives: F87 M2 (current), E90 330xi (w Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Cleaning the Air Filter Whats the rule of thumb for cleaning vs. replacing the stock air filter? My M3 has 30k miles and it has never been done. Today, I shook it out, and vacuumed it with a hand held bristle attachment. I then used my finger to clean out any debris inside each "blade." I noticed the cleaning from the vacuum may have rouged up some of the lining on the outside of the filter, but nothing too bad. Is this a concern? Should I just replace it after 30k miles anyway?
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09-04-2014, 03:26 PM	#2
Helmsman Major General 4467 Rep 7,110 Posts Drives: 2011 AW E90 M3 ZCP Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Stockholm, Sweden iTrader: (0)	Changed my stock filter shortly after I bought the car, around 14k miles. Definitely needed in my eyes. $50, nothing to spare on to keep the S65 clean and happy mate...
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09-04-2014, 04:45 PM	#4
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 233 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	I replace mine yearly (~5k miles), they're cheap. __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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09-04-2014, 10:08 PM	#5
4corners Major 391 Rep 1,133 Posts Drives: 2008 Jet Black M3 Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Yucca Valley, CA - Kelowna, BC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 Blue Bird TC2000 [0.00] 2005 BMW 325Ci [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	The filters rely on very small fibers and other materials to trap very small particles. Cleaning methods are critical, poking with a too stiff a brush, blowing it out with compressed air, maybe a vacuum, depending on how strong, can all potentially damage the fibers and leave big holes in your filtering capability. Oiled filters make the fibers sticky to improve filtering, theoretically. You can check and clean a replaceable air filter every oil change and you would not be too anal. 30000 miles or approximately two oil changes seems like a lot of miles in between checking and cleaning to me. I change my oil every 10k and at least inspect the filter, and I change my plugs every 30k. The air box comes off to do the plugs so there's no excuse not to clean it.
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09-05-2014, 07:09 AM	#7
Rupes Major 1056 Rep 1,459 Posts Drives: F87 M2 (current), E90 330xi (w Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys. I picked up a new one from the dealer for $40 and put it in last night. Cheap insurance.
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09-05-2014, 12:24 PM	#8
Ezio Brigadier General 380 Rep 3,934 Posts Drives: 2023 Alfa Romeo, 2023 m240i Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: MI iTrader: (0)	I usually replace my filter every 10k miles. I also use aftermarket filters. They are to cheap to clean IMO. For 50-100 bucks every 10k miles I will just buy one
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09-05-2014, 12:35 PM	#9
Z K Major General 1889 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	I think the air filter change interval is 30k miles for the M3. Every car is different. I guess because the filter element is larger on the M3, they change it less. I have a cleanable aftermarket filter so I clean it every 7.5k miles or so. __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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