R50/53 Why spend so much on your cabin air filter? Alternative here
#126
This is just a FYI for people thinking about these filters. I just got two of these filters and did a install this afternoon. I am very mechanical and have done all the work on my cars for years. The filter is not a direct replacement and took some trimming to fit. The only dimension that is the same is the width. The filter is 5/8 inch longer and 1/8 inch deeper than the OEM filter. The filter is suppose to slide along a channel or guides and the end of the filter slips into a slot in the upper recesses of the box, the other end of the filter seals against the lower passenger door side of the box with about a half inch gap between the filter and box lid. Unless you trim some the filter's plastic frame off to shallow up the depth, it will not slide into the slot and seal. And if you do not trim the length, the filter will bulge down and touch the the box lid, which will render the little bit of filter beyond that point useless. Which brings up the fact it definetly does not have as much area as the OEM filter or the ease of air flow. I knew about the filter area and for the price I was willing to live with that. But to have to trim the plastic frame to make it fit properly, I won't be buying this filter again. Unless I went completely stupid or got a bigger filter, I don't see how you guys are getting a clean intall. Anyway, my two cents and just pisst it didn't work out for me.
#127
This is just a FYI for people thinking about these filters. I just got two of these filters and did a install this afternoon. I am very mechanical and have done all the work on my cars for years. The filter is not a direct replacement and took some trimming to fit. The only dimension that is the same is the width. The filter is 5/8 inch longer and 1/8 inch deeper than the OEM filter. The filter is suppose to slide along a channel or guides and the end of the filter slips into a slot in the upper recesses of the box, the other end of the filter seals against the lower passenger door side of the box with about a half inch gap between the filter and box lid. Unless you trim some the filter's plastic frame off to shallow up the depth, it will not slide into the slot and seal. And if you do not trim the length, the filter will bulge down and touch the the box lid, which will render the little bit of filter beyond that point useless. Which brings up the fact it definetly does not have as much area as the OEM filter or the ease of air flow. I knew about the filter area and for the price I was willing to live with that. But to have to trim the plastic frame to make it fit properly, I won't be buying this filter again. Unless I went completely stupid or got a bigger filter, I don't see how you guys are getting a clean intall. Anyway, my two cents and just pisst it didn't work out for me.
#130
#131
I don't have my MINI anymore or I'd go and take pictures to show that it fits nice and snug.
#132
I wonder if some cars have a slightly different filter box. My filter was the orginal and it had mini and various numbers written all over it. But it didn't look anything like the replacement. No plastic frame, all paper or some fabric construction and over twice the pleats. And like l said earlier slightly smaller in depth and length.
Last edited by Cactusflier; 11-07-2008 at 10:16 AM. Reason: spelling
#133
I still have my old filter if someone is interested in pics. My advice is check your old filter before ordering. If it has a black pastic frame you are probably good to go, but if no plastic frame you might want to pass. I think it would be interesting for people to check their filters and see how common the non-plactic frame filters are.
Like Lordgrinz, my car is dark silver too. Maybe dark silver cars got the funny filters.
Like Lordgrinz, my car is dark silver too. Maybe dark silver cars got the funny filters.
Last edited by Cactusflier; 11-07-2008 at 10:15 AM. Reason: added info
#134
#135
Hey Xymox,
you rock! Kinda new here: Just wonderin if you've ever had occassion to change your air filter? I just ordered a K&N air filter and I was wondering if it's something I can do myself (I'm pretty handy and I have tools...although I'm not quite sure what the heck that crazy "star" lookin' screw thingy is...)?
you rock! Kinda new here: Just wonderin if you've ever had occassion to change your air filter? I just ordered a K&N air filter and I was wondering if it's something I can do myself (I'm pretty handy and I have tools...although I'm not quite sure what the heck that crazy "star" lookin' screw thingy is...)?
#137
Hey Xymox,
you rock! Kinda new here: Just wonderin if you've ever had occassion to change your air filter? I just ordered a K&N air filter and I was wondering if it's something I can do myself (I'm pretty handy and I have tools...although I'm not quite sure what the heck that crazy "star" lookin' screw thingy is...)?
you rock! Kinda new here: Just wonderin if you've ever had occassion to change your air filter? I just ordered a K&N air filter and I was wondering if it's something I can do myself (I'm pretty handy and I have tools...although I'm not quite sure what the heck that crazy "star" lookin' screw thingy is...)?
Looks like you're thinking of the engine air filter which uses the "crazy 'star' lookin' screw thingy" (torx screw driver bit is needed to work these)....
#138
#139
#140
Make sure you look around to see where the nesting material was taken from to make sure it wasnt from someplace important.
#141
Can we move along to spark plugs now? I'm going to change my plugs. I have Denso Iridium Power IK22 (5310). My questions are these. Do spark plugs come pre-gapped? It it just a straight-forward swap -- take the old ones out, put the new ones in, use anti-seize stuff, hand-tighten and push my wires back on. Oh, I have a MCS 2002. I'm a woman. 65 years old, so go easy on me. No nasty comments.- Thanks - Denise
#142
going easy on ya
Can we move along to spark plugs now? I'm going to change my plugs. I have Denso Iridium Power IK22 (5310). My questions are these. Do spark plugs come pre-gapped? It it just a straight-forward swap -- take the old ones out, put the new ones in, use anti-seize stuff, hand-tighten and push my wires back on. Oh, I have a MCS 2002. I'm a woman. 65 years old, so go easy on me. No nasty comments.- Thanks - Denise
Pre gapped ... well the factory plug, according to Haynes, is "not adjustable" if that means another is "pre-gapped" is your call.
Hand tighten? You're kidding right? Or have you missed the many many posts of people reporting spark plugs popping out (and in my opinion often Denso but never mind) The factory spec for spark plugs is 20 ft lb.
BTW, modern plugs have a life expectancy of something like 100,000 miles .... you are changing 'cuz of???????
#143
I ordered these cabin air filters a few days ago. They arrived within a couple of days. $14+ for the filters, $11 for shipping. Big savings over the oem filters.
They are well-made. The filtering part itself looked fine and doesn't look or feel like it is going to deteriorate at all.
Thanks for the tip, Xymox.
They are well-made. The filtering part itself looked fine and doesn't look or feel like it is going to deteriorate at all.
Thanks for the tip, Xymox.
#147
#149
#150
Do you know if this filter has the Activated Charcoal/Carbon (A/C)? It doesn't say on their website but from the photo it doesn't look like it has A/C... which is slight gray.
Last edited by Cadenza; 05-13-2009 at 04:31 PM.