I have been reading the discussion in this thread (http://e90post.com/forums/showthread...=carbon+filter) for a while. Since no one post DIY yet, I decided to do it myself.

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nice DIY!

Done it....thanks!! Wasn't hard, results as described.

I used sandpaper AND my Dremel.

make sure you get all the crud out of the box before you reassemble it.

It is easy
Thanks!

Yeah, like I said, it's a lot of black dust. Plus, it's BEHIND your air filter. Not a good deal if you don't get it out

I just ordered a KN filter, can't wait to try it out.

This DIY, plus K&N makes throttle response very quick, I must say. It took about 50 miles for my car to "wake-up" to the mod, even with dis-connecting the battery. But, I noticed when it did adjust. I thought at first no big difference. Then one day started of, and I was like "wow, OK, this is different"

has anyone noticed an improvement in fuel economy? A decrease?

not really.

No change in MPG that I can tell. More air=more fuel. So, if you take advantage of the better air flow, my guess is MPG will decrease. I haven't notice much change. It does really snap on full throttle now I'll tell you that. At a conservative pace, you wont notice anything really. Maybe a little more intake sound. Even that is not that noticeable unless you are stomping down on it.

I beleive in this case that removal of the carbon filter will not decrease mpg... Our cars are too smart for their own good. I beleive that in this case, instead of using more air and more fuel, the engines just going to be allowed to rev more freely, since it can get the air it wants more readily... then again, I'm guessing.

before filter/KN highway i was getting 31.3. After I got 32.1 but this only happened one time. I am now getting 30.3 which was lower then stock. This is all on the same trips same speed with cruise controll

Nice - my next mod.

That seems logical, eh?

Exactly. But, if you take advantage of the increase in more air-flow, and free revving, you will get a decrease. Just my experience. I crank it up a little more now. Feels better, so I use it!!

I understand this isnt even a hard mod, but im worried about screwing up somewhere with the sanding and reassembaly part of the whole thing. Anyone care to shed some light on that for me? (ps this is my first mod on my e90)

It is VERY easy. Takes about 5 to 6 minutes, and a little wiggling to get your air box out. From there some torx screws then it just comes apart. The sanding process is very easy as well. Just go for it, you'll see. I took my MAF sensor out, because I washed the whole box with soap and water, but it's not neccesary. You could just as easily just wipe out the inside. Even taking that out of the box is just 2 screws. It's just VERY fragile once removed, so be careful with it. (It's expensive too) You'll be fine. The DIY on this thread makes it even easier.

JIMD1709, I have sent you a PM!

hey guys i wanna go ahead and attempt this this tomorrow. i really dont know what im doing?

some questions. where can i get the KN filter, and must i install it, some people seem to not have done so.

some people said they had to clean something after certain milage after this filter delete? why do you have to do that, if you didnt have to prior to the delete?

also, could i do this delete, and then at a later point in time, get an aftermarket intake? or is this filter PART of the intake, which wont even be there if i got an intake?

thanks

this filter is built into the oem intake. if you get an aftermarket intake, this part will be completely gone.

The K&N filter is up to you. I didn't do it.

to everyone who did this, what tool will i need to remove the filter if i didnt wanna use a dremel.

I used a utility knife, then a bunch of sand paper.. I don't have a dremmel..

Matt, are you gonna do this to your car?