///M Blitz
November 28th 2009, 05:36
A couple of months ago I changed the cabin microfilter in my M3 and since that car is now a few years old, the filter was dirty as expected (the cabin microfilter cleans the air coming into the cabin). It then occurred to me that the Z8 cabin filters (two of them) had never been replaced and since it is so easy to access them, I decided to take a look. To me surprise the Z8 filters were almost as dirty as the M3’s. The photo below shows a new filter and those that came out of my car.
http://www.mwrci.com/graphics/DC0157.JPG
Of course, I live in Los Angeles, but my Z8 had less than 7K miles on the clock and it’s not like I drive it in heavy (dirty) traffic. In fact, most of the miles are from two trips to Monterey and several outings with the other owners, which are usually somewhere by the beach and out of central Los Angeles.
In any event, replacing the filters took less than 30 minutes, which is less time than it would take to drive the car to the dealership and pick it back up.
I ordered the filters from my local dealer (P/N 64 31 9 071 932), who shipped them to me via UPS. With the BMW CCA 20% discount and including shipping, the total cost for both was $65.92.
Replacing them is quite simple. First, open the hood. At the back end near the windshield, there is a plastic cover (bubble) with four torx screws (T-20), shown in the photo below.
http://www.mwrci.com/graphics/DC0061.JPG
Remove the torx screws and the cover pops off to uncover the filters, as shown in the photo below.
http://www.mwrci.com/graphics/DC0062.JPG
Pop the old filters out, notice in the photo below that there are a handful of pop-off clips that hold them in place.
http://www.mwrci.com/graphics/DC0158.JPG
Use a screwdriver and snap the clips off gently. Pop the new filters in, snap the clips back on and put the plastic cover (bubble) back on making sure that it fits snuggly. Screw the torx screws back on. That’s it, you’re ready to drive.
http://www.mwrci.com/graphics/DC0157.JPG
Of course, I live in Los Angeles, but my Z8 had less than 7K miles on the clock and it’s not like I drive it in heavy (dirty) traffic. In fact, most of the miles are from two trips to Monterey and several outings with the other owners, which are usually somewhere by the beach and out of central Los Angeles.
In any event, replacing the filters took less than 30 minutes, which is less time than it would take to drive the car to the dealership and pick it back up.
I ordered the filters from my local dealer (P/N 64 31 9 071 932), who shipped them to me via UPS. With the BMW CCA 20% discount and including shipping, the total cost for both was $65.92.
Replacing them is quite simple. First, open the hood. At the back end near the windshield, there is a plastic cover (bubble) with four torx screws (T-20), shown in the photo below.
http://www.mwrci.com/graphics/DC0061.JPG
Remove the torx screws and the cover pops off to uncover the filters, as shown in the photo below.
http://www.mwrci.com/graphics/DC0062.JPG
Pop the old filters out, notice in the photo below that there are a handful of pop-off clips that hold them in place.
http://www.mwrci.com/graphics/DC0158.JPG
Use a screwdriver and snap the clips off gently. Pop the new filters in, snap the clips back on and put the plastic cover (bubble) back on making sure that it fits snuggly. Screw the torx screws back on. That’s it, you’re ready to drive.