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Subject: Changing the engine air filter: How To Do It Author: davidc (moderator) : member since December, 2003 : 10074 posts Posted on: 2004-04-05 18:30:49

Somebody stop me. If I'm not careful, I'll be climbing the attic to change the filters on our house furnace, next.

The main engine air filter is easy to change. All you need is a flat-blade screwdriver and five minutes.

Most people recommend changing the filter every year or 15,000 miles. Mine's been in there a little over 20,000 miles and it didn't really look that bad. At just $15 (OEM part # 13 72 1 736 675), though, it seems reasonable to go ahead and do it. 750iL owners have two of these babies.


The air filter is in the large black box on the left. I know, everything is black in the engine.


Use a flat-blade screwdriver to snap off the four spring clips around the edge of the airbox.


A view of the rear of the airbox, showing the other two spring clips (four total).


Lift up the cover of the airbox to reveal the air filter. Note the orientation of the air filter (fins down).


Remove the old air filter. This one has about 20,000 miles on it, but its not too dirty.


A side-by-side shot of the old filter on the left, with the new replacement on the right. They're upside down (fins up), which is the side that will be the most dirty since it faces the incoming airstream.

Insert the new air filter into the box, fins down, then lower the cover and align it around the edges before snapping the spring clips back on. Now go spend the cash you saved by doing it yourself on your wife/girlfriend.

David Cecil
'97 740iL, 119k miles
'86 735i, 91k miles
'77 320i, 140k miles

www.e38.org has links for everything about your BMW 7-series automobile

• Changing the engine air filter: How To Do It (pic) - davidc 2004-04-05 18:30:49 (19297 views)
  • I was to lazy and used my fingers, a little hard on your nails though! (nt) - silber98 2004-04-06 15:26:55 (568 views)
  • 20,000 on that filter? Looks pristine - Shled 2004-04-06 00:59:31 (705 views)
  • What about using K&N filters Are they worth it? (nt) - BJames 2004-04-05 18:47:48 (1652 views)
    • Anyone out there notice any difference using K&N air filters? (nt) - ttab 2004-04-06 03:32:28 (1665 views)
    • Steve Dinan says no, but I have no personal experience - davidc 2004-04-05 21:44:57 (1316 views)