DIY: Air Filter Replacement - 325 (2.5litre) - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

DIY: Air Filter Replacement - 325 (2.5litre)

Published by nexus66
09-06-2005

DIY: Air Filter Replacement - 325 (2.5litre)

For this the only tool you'll need is a T-25 Torx screwdriver.

Firstly, slacken all the screws shown in the first picture. Then lifting the air filter cover you will see that the pipe from just above the kidney grill joins this cover and is secured by two little tabs. By lifting the cover at an angle the tabs should release allowing you to remove the cover completely. Note that the screws do not unscrew fully and stay captive within the cover.

You can now see the air filter element. I was surprised to find a cylindrical filter!! In order to remove the air filter element there is a small clip at the front (circled in picture 3 and close up in picture 4). You need to press the circular area on either side and slide the filter forward. It will then come up and away from its mount.

There is an insert within the filter which is fixed and sealed in place.

Put the new filter in the same way the original was removed, replace the cover making sure the tabs lock into the inlet pipe and the screws all line up. Retighten the screws and you're done!

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By E90Fleet on 09-06-2005, 03:26 PM

Please note the USA version uses a different airbox and filter (normal flat filter)

By nexus66 on 09-06-2005, 04:08 PM

I kinda guessed it'd be different for the USA 325, but what filter does the 330 use?

By BMW0 on 12-03-2005, 06:50 AM

The round filter element looked aftermarketly cool though.

By krndanic307 on 12-03-2005, 04:22 PM

Is that for the E46? because the the E90 325 its a 3.0L

By GuillaumeSoete on 12-04-2005, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krndanic307

Is that for the E46? because the the E90 325 its a 3.0L

The E90 325i uses a 2,497 ccm engine ...

Quoted from bwm.com:

No. of cylinders/valves per cyl. 6/4

Displacement acc. to ECE Reg. in ccm 2,497

Stroke/Bore in mm 78.8/82.0

Nominal power (kW) at 1/min 160/6,500

Max. torque (Nm) at 1/min 250/2,750-4,250

Guillaume

By E90Fleet on 12-04-2005, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krndanic307

Is that for the E46? because the the E90 325 its a 3.0L

only a 3.0 in the USA

its a 2.5L in the rest of the world, with the same power and torque

By GuillaumeSoete on 12-04-2005, 01:11 PM

Does anyone know what's the reason of that? Is it also a pollution matter? If I remember well, the S50 engines were'nt allowed in the US because of that...

Guillaume

By Daddu on 12-31-2005, 01:38 PM

Can someone post a DIY on removal of the USA 3.0 liter 325i air filter. This is the flat, trapezoidal one.

By WallyF on 12-31-2005, 03:27 PM

US Air Filter

I took my air filter apart to see how hard it would be. Be sure to have a 10 mm socket, a T25 torque bit and flat blade screw driver.

1) Loosen the steel clamp on the output side of the filter housing using the screw driver. Jpg #1

2) Disconnect the connect from the air mass flow meter. JPG 2

3) Disconnect the filter housing from the suction hood intake duct. JPG 3

4) Remove the filter housing from the engine compartment using a 10mm socket two places. Be careful of the air mass flow meter as it is very expensive. JPG 4

5) Remove the screws using the T25 torque bit. JPG 5.

6) Remove air filter and install new filter.

7) Reassemble the air filter housing.

8) Reinstall in engine compartment.

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Last edited by WallyF; 12-31-2005 at 03:49 PM. Reason: Adding 5th picture and additional instructions

#10

By BeemMeUp on 12-31-2005, 03:59 PM

Thanks WallyF for sharing the info. It looks like some work just to change an air filter. I wish BMW would have made it a little easier...

#11

By WallyF on 12-31-2005, 04:21 PM

BeemMeUp,

It takes about 15 minutes to change out the air filter. I figure I will do it between 25,000 and 30,000 miles myself. The dealer will change it out at Inspection #2. I figure that will be at the end of the 4th year or 50,000 miles.

Have a Happy New Year!!

Wallyf :rocks:

#12

By mros47 on 06-23-2006, 02:02 AM

someone knows how can I change the air filter on a bmw 320d e90, thanks

#13

By Takashi on 01-12-2008, 04:25 PM

Thank you for providing instructions for US cars. I just don't understand why it's so difficult to change an air filter.

#14

By kfc390 on 01-22-2009, 01:22 PM

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Thanks again for the US instructions

Not to hard but could be better.

Does anyone know why BMW put the second filter in the E90 box? It looks like a furnace filter.

#15

By pat63 on 03-15-2010, 01:29 AM

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thanks also wallyf for sharing the instructions. by the way how to disconnect the air mass meter? is it located behind the air filter, right?