My car is a 2019 (LCI1) and the panel under the glovebox had to be removed, and there were no blobs on the bottom factory filter.

 

Cool, I guess that pretty much confirms my guess that the panel is an LCI1 addition and that the blobs were pulled from spec by then. The info I got on my 2017 came from navigating the living daylights out of the diagrams/part numbers/etc for my 2017 at realoem.com -- that's where all indications are that my 2017 never had such a panel, for example.

Worth mentioning that one of my finds was that for my not-LCI F56S's timeframe, at least some not-F56S MINIs *did* have the panel.

Thx much for helping confirm that my MINI didn't lose a trim piece somewhere under its prior owner

 

According to what I’ve read, the filter blobs were eliminated in 2016 sometime. The panel under the glovebox is referenced even in the repair instructions for pre-LCI cars, so I suspect it’s options dependent (it has a speaker built into it, as well as a footwell LED).

 

Interesting.

So - my 2017 F56S was manufactured in October 2016. So my car might be "before" or "after," depending upon the actual elimination date.

Good call on the options package. I have LEDs (factory) all over the place on the car, but I have the bottom-end factory sound package: 6 speakers, and I know exactly where they all are. Maybe whatever speaker is in that panel is part of whatever sound package is next above mine, or next above that, or you get the idea. Though now I'm really curious about that speaker placement, interesting place to put one...

 

yea those blobs look like someone took a glue gun to the ends.

 

Anyone have a link to the K&N part number for the Gen3 F57 LCI 2? The K&N site doesn’t have Mini as male option.

 

Hello, here are the filters for the 2014 F56 MINI. K&N washable is listed.

https://www.ecstuning.com/Mini-2014-.../Cabin_Filter/

 

We have a 2015 F56 base model. Filters never changed until today. (They weren't that bad, actually) Anyway, I've never used such bad language or had more frustration on any (of many, of all types) automotive job I've tackled. There's a YT video showing the filter door, but on our car, there are parts and structure preventing good access. The door pops off, but replacing it..... arrrrgh. Well, let's just say that this ostensible 5 minute job extended well into the second hour. However, I discovered a solution that worked. Finally. I cut off the upper "hinge pin". After that obstacle was removed, the door popped right in and closed securely. Finished up in less than five minutes then. What's especially annoying about this is that the door could have been designed so much simpler to install and remove. It's like they made it as difficult and (unnecessarily) complicated on purpose. If you're not on the smaller side, and flexible, I would definitely recommend leaving this job to the over priced professionals. Your sanity will appreciate it.

 

As others have stated here if you are not a 12 year old kid or have cirque du soleil performer on your resume then this is probably one of the most frustrating DIY job on the F56. Today i performed this job in less than 15 min with the help of this device and an Ipad:

 

I bought one of these (literally same make/model) a few years ago for other purposes (looking down spark plug holes, ha) a few years ago. Lots of applications for this tool and the price isn't bad at all.

I wondered whether there were some versions that will work over Bluetooth vs wi-fi now, it would make for cleaner startup -- but I can't find any on the Web. In any case a borescope is definitely good stuff for a lot of things in maintaining a car, useful far beyond super-super-deep technical, and this model is a solid one. +1

 

What we won’t do for our MINI’s,

 

Yeah I wish I had this when I was suffering through the "horn contact corrosion issue" a year ago.

 

I really wish I had read this full thread before attempting the filter replacement on my '20 F56S. Holy cow, what an absolute pain. As noted by others, some cars have an additional panel under the glovebox that makes an already difficult area to reach nearly impossible. I had only read the first thread in this post as well as two youtube videos and none of them mentioned the extra panel, so I just assumed they had an easier time getting their hands around it than I did.

It sounds like I might be the first person with the extra panel to complete the filter replacement without removing the extra panel. I do not recommend it. I ended up yanking so hard on the center console side panel (the whole time thinking "it pops right off in their videos, I must not be pulling hard enough...") that I broke one of the plastic clips off and there now exists a permanent clip-sized hole in the side of my center console side panel on the inside. Somehow I was able to get to the filter door and perform the replacement, but it was hands down the most frustrating car DIY thing I have ever attempted. So much for a simple filter change!

About 1/2 way through the job I finally had the thought that maybe I could remove this panel to give myself more space. But I saw there was an AIRBAG stamp in the plastic near the screws and I was afraid to mess with anything close to an airbag. Seems like this is not an issue?