E60 Discussion Anything and everything to do with the E60 5 Series. All are welcome!

Is Microfilter replacement necessary?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-16-2010, 05:05 AM
  #1  
Members
Thread Starter
 
kjay80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

My car is overdue for microfilter replacement, is it necessary?
If so, where can I get the genuine part cheap? Or any other recommendation?
Also, how do I reset the service indicator on the idrive?
thanks!
Old 11-16-2010, 07:29 AM
  #2  
Senior Members
 
SilberGrauE60's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Colorado USA
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2004 545i, 6-speed Manual, Silver Grey Metallic, Grey Dakota Leather, Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Sound Pkg, Sport Pkg, Lumbar Support
Default

This filters the air coming into the cabin via the air conditioner system. So, since the ventilation on these cars is practically always on, I'd say it is important to check it periodically, at least if you want efficient flow and "sweet smelling" air in your cabin! It is simple to open and check the filters located on top of the firewall in front of driver and passenger sides under the hood. As far as replacements go, I bought the activated charcoal filters from Amazon.com. Search Amazon for "tyc cabin air filter for bmw" and they are about $25 plus $5 shipping. Resetting iDrive is also a simple DIY and is discussed often on these forums. I just did this last week...

1. Using the key or the start button, put the ignition in ON (not Accessory), but do not start the engine
2. Press and Hold the odometer reset button until the first Service Item icon shows. Release button.
3. Cycle through the service items by pressing and releasing odo button until cabin filter icon shows (it has a little fan and a filter symbol)
4. With this icon showing, Press and HOLD the odo button until the Reset? question appears. Release button.
5. Press and HOLD until the mileage indicator changes from dashes to 60,000 miles. Release button.
6. Turn ignition OFF.

Service items appear in the order the service is due, with next due being the first in the list. It is likely the cabin filter icon will be the first one shown assuming that is the next service item due. In this case, you do not need to cycle through all items, just continue with step 4...
Old 11-16-2010, 07:44 AM
  #3  
Senior Members
 
ktlocklear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: B-Ham, AL
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: '06 550i '84 Nissan S12 Turbo
Default

I would say get OEM filters. I've got a pair of Ebay filters in mine now, and they don't block out odors near as well as the OEM's. I can smell cig smoke, oil burning smell on occasion when I'm behind a beater, etc. With the OEM filters I never noticed any odors making it through the vents
Old 11-16-2010, 08:40 AM
  #4  
Members
 
ali-cap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: B,mouth. UK
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 530d auto ,Carbon black,all options but HUD and sunroof
Default

Originally Posted by ktlocklear
I would say get OEM filters. I've got a pair of Ebay filters in mine now, and they don't block out odors near as well as the OEM's. I can smell cig smoke, oil burning smell on occasion when I'm behind a beater, etc. With the OEM filters I never noticed any odors making it through the vents
+1 to all replies
get the OEM
Old 11-16-2010, 08:57 PM
  #5  
Members
 
GGTill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Corona, CA
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2008 550i Sport Alpine White Options: Nav, Cold Weather Pkg, Comfort Pkg, Black Dakota Leather, Folding Rear Seat Mods: Dinan Free Flow Exhaust, Dinan Stage 2 Software, Dinan High Flow Intake System, Dinan High Flow Throttle Body, Carbon Fiber Front Strut Tower Brace, HID 8000k Fogs, LED Super White Side Markers Coming Soon: HID 8000k Angel Eyes and Lowbeams
Default

I just replaced mine myself. Easy to DIY. Bought filters at auto zone for $30 for the pair, they work just fine.
Old 11-17-2010, 06:51 AM
  #6  
Members
Thread Starter
 
kjay80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I just called a local BMW dealer, it's $48.00 each!!!
Microfilter replacents need two of them, so it's $100 total at the dealer.

Do you know any other store that sells the same OEM part at lower price?
Old 11-17-2010, 07:17 AM
  #7  
Senior Members
 
ktlocklear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: B-Ham, AL
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: '06 550i '84 Nissan S12 Turbo
Default

Originally Posted by kjay80
I just called a local BMW dealer, it's $48.00 each!!!
Microfilter replacents need two of them, so it's $100 total at the dealer.

Do you know any other store that sells the same OEM part at lower price?
Yes..they are spendy, but trust me, you don't want the ebay cheapo's.
If you decide to go the cheap route like I did, just make sure they are the charcoal kind, not just paper filters.

bavauto.com has OEM ones, at $44.95 each.

I remember reading a diy here somewhere that someone used filters for a truck..Dodge Ram I think.

OEM on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-G...Q5fAccessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-A...Q5fAccessories
Old 11-17-2010, 07:42 AM
  #8  
Members
Thread Starter
 
kjay80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Do you know the brand of the OEM filters?
Is it Bosch?

I see the part number matching with the Bosch on autopartswarehouse.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...%26+Drivetrain

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...38&hg=64&fg=10

Can you confirm???
Old 11-17-2010, 11:39 AM
  #9  
Senior Members
 
ktlocklear's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: B-Ham, AL
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: '06 550i '84 Nissan S12 Turbo
Default

Originally Posted by kjay80
Do you know the brand of the OEM filters?
Is it Bosch?

I see the part number matching with the Bosch on autopartswarehouse.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sk...%26+Drivetrain

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...38&hg=64&fg=10

Can you confirm???
Honestly I don't know the brand or part numbers. That ebay listing lists 64 31 9 171 858 for the bmw part number.

I would go with the part numbers listed on Real OEM's site
Old 11-18-2010, 03:08 PM
  #10  
Members
 
Curmudgeon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: The Great PNW
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 545i, Silber-grau/grau. Vanilla flavored except for cold WX pkg.
Default

Originally Posted by kjay80
My car is overdue for microfilter replacement, is it necessary?
If so, where can I get the genuine part cheap? Or any other recommendation?
Also, how do I reset the service indicator on the idrive?
thanks!
Amazon Amazon

Half the dealer price, carbon, free shipping.


Quick Reply: Is Microfilter replacement necessary?



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:55 AM.