Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 49

Thread: Cabin Air Filter Replacement, the INEXPENSIVE Way!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Omaha, NE
    Posts
    4,196
    My Cars
    1998 528i 5-spd 102K

    Cabin Air Filter Replacement, the INEXPENSIVE Way!

    DIY: Cabin Air Filter, the INEXPENSIVE Way!

    You already know that BMW Activated Charcoal Filters or Mann Cabin (non-charcoal) Filters are $30-45 per pair of Cabin Filter, which is rather expensive for this low-tech device.

    This is a DIY (guaranteed easy!!!) using Standard Engine Air Filter for $6.50/each or $13 total. So you will save $15-30 easily.

    1. How Activated Charcoal works:
    http://www.howstuffworks.com/question209.htm

    - The activated charcoal basically filters out the odors (farms, pigs, cows, NYC exhaust etc.).
    - However once the charcoal pores are filled with these odorous particles, then the charcoal component of the filter is saturated and useless, but the Air Filter still filters through pollens, dusts, particles etc.
    - The lifespan of activated charcoal depends on how much smelly stuff the filter has to adsorb.

    2. As an inexpensive substitute (not activated charcoal):

    - Use 1998 Cadillac Deville ENGINE Air Filter as a reference for E39 CABIN Filter. So any of these Engine Filters will work:

    - Fram CA6479 ---> $6.50
    - Purolator A34479 ---> $6.50 (at Advanced Auto Parts).
    - Microguard GA34479 ---> $6.50 (at OReilly Auto Parts).
    271 mm x 203 mm x 43 mm
    (Stock Size is: 267 mm x 201 mm x 30 mm)

    These filters are a tiny bit bigger but all you have to do is: using a utility knife and trim 2-3 mm of rubber molding on each long side and it will fit perfect. You will save $15-30 for beers money…...hehe!

    This is the shortest DIY that I ever wrote: 1 picture! Just a way to save some money during this goofy economy....


  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Arida Zona
    Posts
    30,108
    My Cars
    z3
    18$ for a homemade filter?

    You know you can find filters for $20 and not go through all that work?

    Going into my TENTH YEAR of providing high quality reproduction BMW fabrics!

    PRICE CUT on ALL FABRICS
    Offering the best prices on the best quality reproduction fabrics!

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Omaha, NE
    Posts
    4,196
    My Cars
    1998 528i 5-spd 102K
    Nope, it is $13 for a pair of Filters (instead of $35-45 for a pair of Mann or OEM Filters).
    It is not home-made, it is the same filter used for Cadillac Engine lol...

    It is not much work at all, it takes 5 seconds to trim the rubber on each side. Max 10 seconds total and it fits right in!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Fort Collins, CO
    Posts
    722
    My Cars
    01 M5, 97 Cummins
    good DIY and money saving tip...but I'd rather have fresh carbon filtered air. Its nice to smell leather and clean air than exhaust and cigarette smoke from other drivers.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    MD
    Posts
    196
    My Cars
    2002 525i
    Sounds great! I'll do it today. Very smart. Thank you for the posting.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    San Diego
    Posts
    131
    My Cars
    01 525iT, 94 318is
    Kudos, thank you.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Hayward, CA
    Posts
    616
    My Cars
    97 z3 1.9M, 96 328ia
    hey bro thanx a lot nice to see some ghetto mods for a change!

    defintely going to autozone 2 pick up some caddy filters

    hey cnn which side of the filter goes to the bottom?

    slightly off topic: i graduated from creighton a few years ago! go jays!
    Last edited by Young Pete; 10-01-2009 at 04:05 AM.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Omaha, NE
    Posts
    4,196
    My Cars
    1998 528i 5-spd 102K
    Quote Originally Posted by Young Pete View Post
    ....
    hey cnn which side of the filter goes to the bottom?

    slightly off topic: i graduated from creighton a few years ago! go jays!
    Look at the pic, the side with the wire mesh goes up.
    This is because AirFlow enters the bottom, then UPWARD through the A.F. then into the Rubber Bellow into the car.

    Wire mesh is ALWAYS downstream of air flow through an air filter, whether it is car or home HVAC filter.

    BTW, what program did you graduate from Creighton?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Hayward, CA
    Posts
    616
    My Cars
    97 z3 1.9M, 96 328ia
    Quote Originally Posted by cnn View Post
    Look at the pic, the side with the wire mesh goes up.
    This is because AirFlow enters the bottom, then UPWARD through the A.F. then into the Rubber Bellow into the car.

    Wire mesh is ALWAYS downstream of air flow through an air filter, whether it is car or home HVAC filter.

    BTW, what program did you graduate from Creighton?

    BSBA MIS at that time (2001) MIS and CS were hot majors..


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA
    Posts
    96
    My Cars
    97 BMW 540i
    I just bought my car a few days ago and I noticed a bit weird smell... Saw this mod, did it yesterday in like 10 min with the cleaning and cutting and all and voila ... no more smell! Great cheap mod, I used the Fram parts above and cost me with tax $16.60

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Hangover, PA
    Posts
    939
    My Cars
    03' M5
    I tried something similar and it just didnt have the same fresh effect that the activated charcoal did...

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2003
    Location
    Everett, WA
    Posts
    795
    My Cars
    01 540i6
    I can't wait until someone tries this with K&Ns and lists it as a mod

    Actually it's a good tip. Excellent DIY material and stuff like is what makes a forum into a community.
    Richard
    BMW Convert

    Let us redefine "progress" to mean that just because we CAN mod a thing, it does not necessarily follow that we MUST mod that thing.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Location
    Long Beach,CA
    Posts
    46
    My Cars
    2003 530i
    Just got my E39. How do you know when to change the filer other than the maint. manual recommended change?

  14. #14
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Omaha, NE
    Posts
    4,196
    My Cars
    1998 528i 5-spd 102K
    Quote Originally Posted by SocalKevin View Post
    Just got my E39. How do you know when to change the filer other than the maint. manual recommended change?
    Visual inspection is fine (if it looks dirty, replace it).
    Another trick is to remove the A.F. and hold it up aginst the sun at noon, if you cannot see any light passing through, it is bad. Replace it.

    You may want to google to find out what other people do to inspect their A.F. in the car or even at home HVAC system and post something here as a feedback.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Monrovia ca
    Posts
    575
    My Cars
    1995 318I, 2003 525I
    Sold i am doing this

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Savannah GA
    Posts
    36
    My Cars
    2000 528iT
    I cannot help but wonder about the fact that the Cadillac filter has about twice as many filter ribs as the OEM. How does that affect the airflow rate/necessary air pressure through the filter and the difference in drag on the blower motor?

    Caddy filters are a much less expensive option until the blower motor must be replaced. Was this possibility considered and eliminated?

    Rich

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    TN
    Posts
    23
    My Cars
    2001 525it
    more filter pleats = more surface area for air to travel thru = less resistance. creighton wins?

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Dalton georgia
    Posts
    2,712
    My Cars
    97' M3 coupe
    this is genius, ima do this
    Fo sho
    sig12 by Devo325, on Flickr

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Chicago Il
    Posts
    4
    My Cars
    97 540A
    Did this today... works Great, with better air flow...

    Also, I place a Fabric softener sheet, on top... (mountain Breeze)

    Thanks!!!

    BTW, they were 5.60 each at Meijer's

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Campbell, CA, United States
    Posts
    1,686
    My Cars
    2002 BMW M5
    I love the Bosch units I bought for my 02 M5... !

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    nyc
    Posts
    896
    My Cars
    BMW 6spd 550i w Sport Pk
    Wow,.. I got raped at the stealer for 80 bucks a pop on the filters...where can I get the stock filters cheaper? I looked all over before I decided on the dealer..

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    The Woodlands, TX
    Posts
    7
    My Cars
    2000 528i 5 speed ma
    Or you could go here:

    http://www.tnaautoparts.com/2000-bmw...fc1904455594a1

    These are aftermarket carbon activated filters. $15 a pair (plus shipping). If you look hard you may be able to find free shipping if you order a few other things.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Oct 2009
    Location
    Rutland, Vermont
    Posts
    4,398
    My Cars
    E30 E38 E46 E85 F150 GTI
    Quote Originally Posted by topgear454 View Post
    Or you could go here:

    http://www.tnaautoparts.com/2000-bmw...fc1904455594a1

    These are aftermarket carbon activated filters. $15 a pair (plus shipping). If you look hard you may be able to find free shipping if you order a few other things.
    +1 on TNA Auto Parts. Just had a pair delivered yesterday - $20.55 with shipping for carbon activated filters. Except for the lack of the BMW logo, you can't tell them from OEM.

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Oct 2008
    Location
    Lake Oswego, OR
    Posts
    125
    My Cars
    E39 530i/5
    Quote Originally Posted by spedheded View Post
    +1 on TNA Auto Parts. Just had a pair delivered yesterday - $20.55 with shipping for carbon activated filters. Except for the lack of the BMW logo, you can't tell them from OEM.
    I just ordered a pair for my 530i, and they were 1/2 an inch too long and too wide to fit the box, pretty much exactly. It didn't come close to fitting. I called TNA and they told me that they sent me the right filters and that I had to find out the "OEM number" to see if they had alternate filters for my car. any ideas on what the deal is? I thought all E39's would be the same.

    obligatory e39 angel eye sig photo

  25. #25
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    pittsburgh
    Posts
    188
    My Cars
    99 528i
    Quote Originally Posted by Rustyzipper View Post
    Also, I place a Fabric softener sheet, on top... (mountain Breeze)
    thats awesome lol Im going to have to try that, except Im more of the fall season smells kinda guy.

    Going to get this done probably this weekend!

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •