[nexus66]

For this the only tool you'll need is a T-25 Torx screwdriver.

Firstly, slacken all the screws shown in the first picture. Then lifting the air filter cover you will see that the pipe from just above the kidney grill joins this cover and is secured by two little tabs. By lifting the cover at an angle the tabs should release allowing you to remove the cover completely. Note that the screws do not unscrew fully and stay captive within the cover.

You can now see the air filter element. I was surprised to find a cylindrical filter!! In order to remove the air filter element there is a small clip at the front (circled in picture 3 and close up in picture 4). You need to press the circular area on either side and slide the filter forward. It will then come up and away from its mount.

There is an insert within the filter which is fixed and sealed in place.

Put the new filter in the same way the original was removed, replace the cover making sure the tabs lock into the inlet pipe and the screws all line up. Retighten the screws and you're done!

[E90Fleet]

Please note the USA version uses a different airbox and filter (normal flat filter)

[nexus66]

I kinda guessed it'd be different for the USA 325, but what filter does the 330 use?

[BMW0]

The round filter element looked aftermarketly cool though.

[krndanic307]

Is that for the E46? because the the E90 325 its a 3.0L

[GuillaumeSoete]

Originally Posted by krndanic307

Is that for the E46? because the the E90 325 its a 3.0L

The E90 325i uses a 2,497 ccm engine ...

Quoted from bwm.com:


No. of cylinders/valves per cyl. 6/4

Displacement acc. to ECE Reg. in ccm 2,497

Stroke/Bore in mm 78.8/82.0

Nominal power (kW) at 1/min 160/6,500

Max. torque (Nm) at 1/min 250/2,750-4,250

Guillaume

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by krndanic307

Is that for the E46? because the the E90 325 its a 3.0L

only a 3.0 in the USA

its a 2.5L in the rest of the world, with the same power and torque

[GuillaumeSoete]

Does anyone know what's the reason of that? Is it also a pollution matter? If I remember well, the S50 engines were'nt allowed in the US because of that...

Guillaume

[Daddu]

Can someone post a DIY on removal of the USA 3.0 liter 325i air filter. This is the flat, trapezoidal one.

[WallyF]

I took my air filter apart to see how hard it would be. Be sure to have a 10 mm socket, a T25 torque bit and flat blade screw driver.

1) Loosen the steel clamp on the output side of the filter housing using the screw driver. Jpg #1

2) Disconnect the connect from the air mass flow meter. JPG 2

3) Disconnect the filter housing from the suction hood intake duct. JPG 3

4) Remove the filter housing from the engine compartment using a 10mm socket two places. Be careful of the air mass flow meter as it is very expensive. JPG 4

5) Remove the screws using the T25 torque bit. JPG 5.

6) Remove air filter and install new filter.

7) Reassemble the air filter housing.

8) Reinstall in engine compartment.

[BeemMeUp]

Thanks WallyF for sharing the info. It looks like some work just to change an air filter. I wish BMW would have made it a little easier...

[WallyF]

BeemMeUp,

It takes about 15 minutes to change out the air filter. I figure I will do it between 25,000 and 30,000 miles myself. The dealer will change it out at Inspection #2. I figure that will be at the end of the 4th year or 50,000 miles.

Have a Happy New Year!!

Wallyf :rocks:

[mros47]

someone knows how can I change the air filter on a bmw 320d e90, thanks

[kfc390]

Not to hard but could be better.

Does anyone know why BMW put the second filter in the E90 box? It looks like a furnace filter.

[MainDeck]

That's a pretty good walk-through. Cut up your steps a little bit more. Still, it's good to know this stuff. I'd like to start doing more basic stuff on my car, without taking it to my dad or the dealer.
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[sd23]

Thanks for the guide. Helped me perform my tune up.

[73tnh]

more pics for the thread... I did mine again today..

[73tnh]

my old filter after 8500 miles ..... I am charcoal filter delete also.

[billywu04]

I just bought my first bimmer last week, a 2008 328i (black/black, premium, sport). I worked on it for the first time yesterday and installed a matte black grille, and a K&N air filter. I'll post to another thread about my anguish with the grille, but the air filter replacement was surprisingly easy. I took my time, and stopped to snap a bunch of pics along the way, and it took just under 30 minutes. I'll post again with some detailed photos and instructions.

Take it from a newbie, as long as you're careful, you've got almost no reason to be nervous about changing the air filter yourself.

Thanks for the original post, WallyF. It helped a ton!

[Staticians]

I put my K&N air filter the engine sound and performance have huge difference. The car runs better and the engine is louder like an sport car supposed to be. It was a great investment!!

[carlosalbertogui]

dont belive in louder or better performance is exactly the same no diferences

HOTROD182 says

I made a bunch of runs switching the K&N in and out, noticed no difference whatsoever. Infact, my best trap was with the stock air filter. My 12.13 at the drag strip was with a totally stock air filter as well. But let me know if you want to buy my near new K&N, still in the orig box. I only used it a few hours.

But in all fairness, its not really the fault of the K&N. There have been numerous dyno tests showing almost no difference between running a filter and no filter at all.
__________________
1987 Grand National
2011 Alpine 335d M-Sport 12.9 @ 108.3mph
2008 Black 335i Sedan. 11.81 @ 119.2mph,
2008 Monaco Blue JB3 2.0 335i Coupe. 11.33 @ 132.77 mph
60-130mph: 6.95 seconds.

[carlosalbertogui]

hi again

one thing is true the car will be more procteted with k§N Filter

The filter is so much better
but dont buy if you think will improve performance
the only thing it will do its protecting dust from getting in your motor and that is the most important thing