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2000-2006 BMW M3 Air Filter Replacement

Regular maintenance on a 2000-2006 (E46) BMW M3...

iFixit Library 2000-2006 BMW M3 Easy 10 - 15 minutes Guide 37902

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This attributed iFixit guide is displayed through Fixonic's recorded commercial API permission. iFixit remains the independent source and author of the procedure.

Guide overview

Before you begin

Regular maintenance on a 2000-2006 (E46) BMW M3 is very important, but going to a dealership or certified technician can be expensive. So why not do some of it yourself? Replacing the air filter in the engine, for instance, is a simple, not too invasive, and low-risk job for anyone looking to save the $100+ that a dealer might charge to do the job. Note: This guide may not apply to the installation of an aftermarket air filter.

Step 1

Repair step

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With the vehicle turned off, open the hood of the car by pulling the hood release lever in the driver's side foot well.
Walk around to the front of the car and pull upward on the latch protruding from the grill.
Some engine components may be HOT! Avoid touching the indicated areas.

Step 2

Repair step

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Locate the air box.
Find the two metal clips on the right side of the air box. Unhinge these two clips by pressing them to the right.
They might be clipped on pretty tight, so it might require some force.

Step 3

Repair step

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Identify the two plastic clips on the left side of the box. These clips consist of small plastic hooks on the lid hooked into square holes attached to the base.
To remove these, press the left side of the lid down and pull up slightly on the right side. While doing this, gently slide the lid to the right.
If done correctly, you should now be able to see the rubber gasket of the air filter (most likely it will be bright orange).
Be careful not to lift or bend the lid too much! You will be able to lift the lid up to a certain degree, but remember that it's still attached to the intake and the air flow sensor; putting too much force on either will destroy them.

Step 4

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 6-in-1 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

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Gently lift the air box lid up on the right side enough to remove the air filter (should be about 3-4 inches).
Lift the air filter up by the bright orange gasket. If you have trouble prying it up, you can gently use a flat head screwdriver for help.
Slide the air filter out of the box.

Step 5

Repair step

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Take the new air filter and, while gently lifting the air box lid, slide the new air filter in until it seats flat inside the box.
Hold the new filter by the orange gasket only; avoid touching the actual filter part as much as possible.
The new air filter might be slightly different from the one removed, as some filters have cotton pads on the bottom while some do not. Both styles of air filter are acceptable.

Step 6

Repair step

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TOOL USED ON THIS STEP 6-in-1 Screwdriver Referenced by the iFixit guide

View item

To put the lid back in place, press down on the left side of the lid and pull up slightly on the right side while sliding the hooks back into the holes.
This might take several tries, as the new filter's gasket might be slightly larger than the old one, making it difficult to slip the lid back into place. You may need to use the flat head screwdriver to press the gasket under the lid. If the hooks are in place and the gasket isn't showing, the lid is in place.

Step 7

Repair step

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Reattach the metal clips on the right side of the air box.
Again, the larger gasket might make this a bit difficult since it's pushing upward on the lid more. Additional force might be required.

Step 8

Repair step

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Gently close the hood.