Checked my dipstick and cleaned trumpets

[deanobeano]

Well the sun was shining and encouraged by all the good advice (and excellent vid) on checking the oil level, I thought I would give it a go.

Stripping down was pretty easy. The Air filter was a lot more dirty than I expected. (My next service will be due by time summer 2014 - Insp 1). Tho I will probably change the air filter myself prior to this, depending on what your thoughts are here.

The trumpets were grubby and 5 and 6 were grubbier still. I cleaned these up and also the airbox internals.

The pollen filter box was also full of rubbish - grit, leaves and dust)

Putting everything together, was more problematic. I struggled to get the bottom ram air connection to mate with the underside of the air box. You need fingers like ET to get down there!

I managed eventually with some jiggling and a few pulls on my Vape ciggie.
(Please tell me the way to do it - Mark doesn't show this bit on his vid).

No warning lights on start up - took him out for a ragging to show him I was still the boss!

I would recommend that all look to do this, if only to confirm oil levels but also to clean the internals of the airbox.

No spanner found in mine by the way.

[digi]

I thought mine was dirty. :-D

The red plastic on the perimeter of my filter has split in multiple places so I ordered a new one. I think you need a new filter based on the photo.

Maybe I was lucky, but I focus on getting the alignment on the rear section of the box, and the tubes just fell into place. I will need to take mine apart again as the dreaded PS high pressure hose has a slight leak and I need to replace it. Dun want my garage guy to scratch up my box so I told him I will remove it before I let his grubby hands fix the problem. Those PS hoses are frigging $$$. :moan:

Good job on the trumpets, I think I will clean mine too. :thumbs:

[deanobeano]

Where's the best place to order a filter from?

[digi]

BMW dealer close to you I guess. Should be about 80+ quid. Maybe pm mark, think he can help you.

[sailorbaz]

I done this to mine last time home also, while working in my passenger headlight washer jet it was easier to remove the air box for access and also clean the filter, trumpets etc.

I bought an itg filter a few years ago, you can clean these yourself at home so I took to it for the first time with some degreaser and hot water. The colour of he water in the basin afterwards was unreal, it truly was filthy. Come up a great though and after drying out over night, was refitted as good as new. It cost me around £80 3 years ago, should have been cleaned long before now too.

I usually find the hose at the bottom slips in easily enough, could just be my luck though.

[deanobeano]

Thanks Baz - looks like a can get an ITG filter for £76 - seems like a good price when compared to OEM.

Any issues in changing to a non std filter?

[sailorbaz]

I've had no issues mechanically or with any warranty work its had done. That being said, the only thing that's ever been done to the engine was the Vanos and was long before I changed to an after market filter however, it has been serviced twice with it fitted and never been mentioned to me.

Good thing is, you can clean and oil it as many time as you want/need to for very little cost. Noise/performance wise I have to say, there is little to no difference. Maybe, just maybe a tiny wee bit more induction bark but that's about it.

[alexk]

Guys the OEM filter can be cleaned too.
Its a BMC race filter :)

[karbonkid]

Deano- That air filter is exceptionally dirty. Are you running no flap in the control unit?

You can still clean the OEM BMC air filter but in your case it may be worth buying a new one. I personally would stick to the original BMC filter. The filters are very good quality IMO and fitment is very snug as they were revised, adding the foam surround.

Pics of the OEM filter getting chemically bathed.

http://s24.postimg.org/vxmv79aph/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s24.postimg.org/qaqi9s86t/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s24.postimg.org/q0izqftkl/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s24.postimg.org/gu0p35oc5/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s24.postimg.org/5iy1eshh1/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s24.postimg.org/ibm5ept2t/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s24.postimg.org/pg3ynr0c5/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s24.postimg.org/bay5lxrat/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s24.postimg.org/mokox51th/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s24.postimg.org/gns1x6lit/image.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[digi]

yes, OEM from what I have read, but ITG is fine piece too.

Was going to clean mine but with the flakey red plastic, I decided on a new one and will keep the flakey one when I clean my new piece.

[deanobeano]

didnt realise you could clean them - although it didn't look like a paper element.

Wished I would have known this when the car was in bits.

Reckon I will get a new one, clean the old one and keep it in my ' get me out the shit ' car parts box.
(We all have one of these don't we??)

[Mark CSL]

Keep it put it in the bin i have never seen one as dirty as that

[deanobeano]

can I order an OEM filter online?

[deanobeano]

Only one I could find online (ebay)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Genuine-Air-Filter-Element-E46-M3-3-Series-13727838625-/180988556755?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Plat_Gen%3AE46%7CCars+Type%3AM3+CSL&hash=item2a23c235d3#vi-ilComp

£115!

Yikes!

[sailorbaz]

Reckon I will get a new one, clean the old one and keep it in my ' get me out the shit ' car parts box.
(We all have one of these don't we??)

I do. Some have bigger BOXES than others!

[deanobeano]

ITG filter ordered - will get it fitted (and throw my poorly one away) when it arrives.
£75.99 v's OEM at £113.00

[portlandgrey]

I did mine at the weekend too. Its amazing the shite that gets sucked in through the flap, I found small bits of stone, loads of grit & all sorts.

Also a good opportunity to give everything a check over, pas fluid, dipstick oil level etc.

These zymol wheel brushes are good for getting to the butterflies if you don't want to strip the main airbox:
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m41/darreni/wheelbrush.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m41/darreni/CSLairbox_zpscec92fbb.jpg

[trackm3]

Im working on a deal with ITG right now so hopefully will have a good supply of these filters soon :-D


ITG filter ordered - will get it fitted (and throw my poorly one away) when it arrives.
£75.99 v's OEM at £113.00

[Mike R]

I thought I read somewhere on the forum a post by Bealo who said to avoid the ITG ones, as they didn't seal properly?

[sailorbaz]

I thought I read somewhere on the forum a post by Bealo who said to avoid the ITG ones, as they didn't seal properly?

Maybe I missed that post :banghead:

However, I've been using the same ITG filter for around 4 years maybe more without issue. There, I've said it. I'll throttle someone if the next time I fire it up it calves on me! :mad:

[Mike R]

Maybe I missed that post :banghead:

However, I've been using the same ITG filter for around 4 years maybe more without issue. There, I've said it. I'll throttle someone if the next time I fire it up it calves on me! :mad:

You have a short memory ;).
http://www.cslregister.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1719&highlight=filter

[sailorbaz]

Bloody hell, good memory on yourself. I do have a short memory and I posted on the thread half a dozens times too!!!

Mine is a good fit though, whether its a revised filter, I don't know but it does have a snug foam beading round the edge and when I removed it last time there was no signs of any debris or such like past the filter. If there had been, I'd have mentioned it.

[deanobeano]

Update on this.
Fitted my ITG filter today - it fits fine - if anything, it's slightly to big and you have to push it into position, with a slight 'bow'. It fits snugly all round the edges though.

Took it for a blast and all is well!

Took about 30 mins start to finish - practice makes perfect!

My only gripe was I pulled one of the front flippers with my size 11's whilst hovering around the edge of the front of the car.
(As anyone else ever done this - I swear that they are designed to tread on!)

5 mins to reaffix!