▀▄ eas | DIY: S55 M3/M4 BMC Filter Installation

[tom @ eas]

A panel air filter is commonly referred to as a replacement air filter. It is installed in the vehicle's original airbox to replace the OEM air filter. It is made of high performance materials that allow for an increase in air flow along with more efficient filtration. These BMC filters guarantee containment of all impurities from as small as 7 microns, as compared to the OEM's 10 microns.



BMC air filters are produced using a full molding system that enables the characteristic red filter to be realized from a single mold with no welded joints, thus avoiding easy breakage. The rubber used in BMC air filtering systems has a long life, is very durable and has optimum adhesion characteristics to all shapes of airboxes. BMC filters are made of a multi-layered cotton gauze soaked with low viscosity oil covered with an epoxy coated alloy mesh to ensure protection from petrol fumes and oxidization due to air humidity. All BMC air filters are pre-oiled, and they can be washed and regenerated by using an appropriate regeneration kit.

Installation

BMC High Performance Replacement Air Filter (set of 2)
https://europeanautosource.com/bmc-h...r-filters.html

Tools needed
T25 Torx driver
Pocket screwdriver
10mm & 13mm Wrench (socket)
Trim Removal Tool

Installation

1. Remove compression rivet from trim cover


2. Remove plastic nuts from right bank cowl cover, note these are twist-lock design (90-degree twist)


3. Remove compression rivet from trim cover


4. Remove plastic nuts from left bank cowl cover, note these are twist-lock design (90-degree twist)


5. Remove compression rivet from strut tower brace trim cover


6. Remove Bolts securing strut tower brace (13mm), nut on coolant reservoir is 10mm.


7. Carefully remove strut tower brace and admire BMW's craftsmanship.


8. Remove bolts on right airbox with T25 torx driver to reveal filter


9. Remove filter lid


10. Remove charcoal liner with small pocket screwdriver to release tabs


11. Drop new BMC oiled filter in place. filter comes pre-oiled from factory. Reinstall filter lid


12. Pinch plastic securing mount and lift on right filter housing to move out of place


13. Pinch/remove PCV hose and remove. Remember to reinstall after filter is installed.


14. Remove bolts on left airbox with T25 torx driver to reveal filter


15. Remove filter lid


16. Remove filter lid


17. Reinstall left filter lid

Torque Specs

Airbox: Snug to fit/hand tighten

Strut tower brace
13mm: 10-12lb-ft.
10mm: 3-5lb-ft

Enjoy! Feel free to respond to the thread with any questions.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

i better get this as well when I head down to EAS lol. Damn it Tom your killing me!

Originally Posted by jc05e46m3

EAS, have you guys had a chance to do a before and after dyno with these?

Originally Posted by Definitive

Yea, that is a heck of a lot of work for a few HP if that all you get. What Im wondering is do you get more engine sound? Is the car louder at all?

Yes, it's a bit hard to gauge results on filters since there's a limit to the airflow that recreated with fans. Sound is definitely throatier with both the charcoal filters removed and the new filters. However, the butt dyno is very pleased.

These will be most beneficial once mods (exhaust, tunes) start appearing, along with being reusable.

Originally Posted by parky1215

So much more steps than replacing air filter on my N54 >.<

The pictures make it a bit more involved than what it really is, but we wanted to make sure all steps were covered. It's simply remove the strut tower brace and install the filters.

[Alpinef82]

will this void factory warranty ???? and is there still room to keep the carbon filters? Are they really needed?

[jc05e46m3]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

Yes, it's a bit hard to gauge results on filters since there's a limit to the airflow that recreated with fans. Sound is definitely throatier with both the charcoal filters removed and the new filters. However, the butt dyno is very pleased.

These will be most beneficial once mods (exhaust, tunes) start appearing, along with being reusable.



The pictures make it a bit more involved than what it really is, but we wanted to make sure all steps were covered. It's simply remove the strut tower brace and install the filters.

I believe it. There usually isn't any significant gain, but had to ask. I guarantee the intake and spool sound is more prominent now as well.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Alpinef82

will this void factory warranty ???? and is there still room to keep the carbon filters? Are they really needed?

Most dealers wouldn't even care. You can keep the charcoal liners, but we would recommend removing them for better airflow.

[Sir Loin]

Thanks for the guide. That is a lot of screws for just changing the two air filters. Price to pay for having a CF brace under the hood.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Sir Loin

Thanks for the guide. That is a lot of screws for just changing the two air filters. small Price to pay for having a CF brace under the hood.

Corrected.

[Alekshop]

great guide!

[0-60Motorsports]

Nice DIY. Thanks EAS

[CatchM3]

thanks for the write up!

[Sean@PSI]

Nice!

[M3guy3]

Originally Posted by Alpinef82

will this void factory warranty ???? and is there still room to keep the carbon filters? Are they really needed?

i would take them out if you blow your motor, just in case. other wise there really wont be a time where they look at your filter. unless you are having a engine related problem. even at that point, i think they would let it slide also. haha

[babyboss]

word is these sport air filters don't make any difference especially if your oem filter is nice & clean ..

[Seth9]

Easier to find, in the middle of it right now

[Definitive]

Did this, thanks for the DIY. Of course even though I organized the screws and bolts on the workbench and counted as I removed them, I somehow still had once less compression rivet as I started with.

Over all pretty easy.

D

[Merli]

Originally Posted by Definitive

Did this, thanks for the DIY. Of course even though I organized the screws and bolts on the workbench and counted as I removed them, I somehow still had once less compression rivet as I started with.

Over all pretty easy.

D

Is there a more prominent intake growl now?

Did you remove the charcoal filters?

[djhex36]

Originally Posted by Merli

Is there a more prominent intake growl now?

Did you remove the charcoal filters?

I installed K&N's via this guide. I would recommend a skinny T handle T-25 to get to the screws closest to the expansion tank.

The intake doesn't have more growl it has more spool sound though. It's not OMG cone filter spool sound, but it's more pronounced than stock for sure.

Doing 3rd/4th gear pulls from down low are fun to hear now especially with the anti-lag

[Longbow64]

Installed today. Thanks for the write-up. Very simple.

[w00tw00t]

Originally Posted by Longbow64

Installed today. Thanks for the write-up. Very simple.

what's your take on the intake and spool sounds? is it any more prominent? I'm thinking of getting thse just to get more of that cool spooling up sound..

[Longbow64]

Originally Posted by w00tw00t

what's your take on the intake and spool sounds? is it any more prominent? I'm thinking of getting thse just to get more of that cool spooling up sound..

The spooling is noticeable. It's a cool sound. Not sure what brought out the noise more, the filters or removal of the charcoal filters, but either way it's a good noise. Not obnoxious, but if you like to hear your car doing stuff, this is worth it.

[djhex36]

Originally Posted by w00tw00t

what's your take on the intake and spool sounds? is it any more prominent? I'm thinking of getting thse just to get more of that cool spooling up sound..

I have the k&ns and you can hear the spool sound much better with new filters.

There was a sale for the k&ns for $56 on another thread.

[Steveo]

No need for step 5 here,
Managed to pull it through the gap.
The other side trim covering the brace is able to lift up which gives you leeway to pull it through the gap.

Great right up and really helped me