So I have an R56 with a manual transmission and in the past I always just had whatever oil change place, change my air filter for me. I decided to do it myself and start changing my own oil. I ordered an air filter for a manual transmission from NAPA but I noticed it is a very different shape than the air filter that is in my car. After a bit of research I found that my car has the air filter and housing for an Automatic Transmission. I've never had any issues with me car, but is this something I should worry about? Not sure why they are different? I know I can exchange the filter without issue, but just want to find out why they are different. Thanks!

 

From my understanding, N14 and N18 engines have different air filter housings. What year and model is your car?

 

2007 Mini Cooper Base with Manual Transmission. US Model. Not sure what else I would need beyond that. No turbo or anything, just base.

 

What country version is your car? Where did you look up the part number prior to ordering?

According to realoem, it seems there are two variants, based on whether the car is equipped with an air mass filter or not (depending on local emissions standards). As an example, for left hand side drive, base Coopers, made in 12/2007 for the european market, realoem shows both variants:
https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/par...i-Cooper&mg=13

The same applies for LCI base Coopers (i.e. there are variants with and without an air mass filter). US versions on the other hand seem to always come with an air mass filter.

Where did you find an indication, that it depends on the kind of transmissions?

 

I was just given a 2007 Mini Cooper Base with the 6 speed manual transmission. I ran into the same issue you did. I ordered an air filter from Oreillys before actually looking at it and it was the wrong one. I ended up needing the one for the "automatic" model. The first one we ended up with is actually for the non-US model. There are 4 different air filters for this car so it is confusing. The convertible has 2 different filters depending on trans. I think all US hatchbacks actually have the same one. Unless it's the CVT maybe lol