A/C Microfilter: Why You Should Change Yours

[pmulry]

I'm in the process of doing the 60k Inspection II. Loving every minute of it (well, except for paying for the parts) as usual. So last night I got around to changing out the A/C microfilter. Holy smokes! I can't believe that anything was getting through this thing. New one above the old one:

http://www.patmulry.com/images/acfilter2.JPG

Cheers. And change your microfilter, your lungs will thank you.

[pong]

where can i find this filter?

[632 Regal]

too old it's exempt, your lungs clean your air.


where can i find this filter?

[shogun]

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/7/web/739000-739999/739005_46_full.jpg

[Lennyz525i]

I don't think my pre 91 E34 even has a micro filter. Where's it located anyway (for the cars that have one) ?

[pmulry]

The directions found on bmwe34.net (http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/maintenance/gen_maintenance/filters.htm) generally describe how to do it, but it's not a step-by-step. Basically, what you have to do is to remove your glove box completely, then the trim panel above it and on the center console side in the passenger footbox, and then the vent duct that runs from the A/C/heater assembly behind the dash that warms the passenger footbox. That reveals the side of the A/C system. The filter is hidden behind a little yellow-green door that's sandwiched between the A/C system and the firewall. You don't need to remove the cover to the A/C coil to get to it, but unless you cram your head all the way down to the bottom of the passenger footbox, it looks like you need to do so. But you don't, and those torx screws are kind of a PITA. But once you lift off the yellow-green door, the filter slides right out very easily and the new one goes back in easily. Might want to vacuum gently back there before installing the new filter, there was a bunch of leaf particles and general crud in mine. Then it's just a matter of re-assembling everything. Pretty straightforward, but kind of time consuming just because it's not very convenient. But not a bad project to handle while watching/listening to the World Poker Tour at the same time :)

Cheers and good luck.

[mikey535im]

Uh oh! My biuld date 04/91 535im has one and I've replaced it and what a difference. Not only cleaner air but now takes alot less time to heat/cool car .
Mike

[Dash01]

I've read somewhere that even though the early (pre '91) E34 did not have a microfilter, the hardware and fittings are there to install one, if desired.

Does anybody know if this is true?

[632 Regal]

electrostaticly charged microfilter??