For my 2004 MCS, the engine air filter is not scheduled to be inspected or replaced until Inspection II, which for me will occur in 3,000 miles at about 65,000. Recently, however, I sensed a loss of power and inspected the filter; it was FILTHY!! Lesson: inspect it much more often than the owner's manual suggests.

 

Good Tip. I have to remove the airbox when I do other services and I've found that engine air filter should really be changed 30-40k at the most. Anytime I pull an air filter on a 30k car it will be filthy everytime.

 

I have a K&N drop-in and clean it once a year (about every 10K).

The one that gets really dirty for me is the in-cabin air filter..

 

Even 30k is too long..............change it every year.

 

Ohhh Myyy, isn't changing your air filter before the wise BMW engineers specify just wasting money? Don't they know best? I'm not sure I will be able to sleep tonight.

Surely if the oil only needs to be changed once every milineum, the air filter should go forever.

Ain't no stink'n BMW cool-aid stains on my tongue, hehe.

YD

 

Good point. I have an aftermarket filter and clean it about every 10k miles or about every 8 months or so. I live in a valley so lots more dirty air in the Sacramento valley...

 

I also switched to a K&N after seeing how dirty my filter was after a MINI service. I asked about it. They said it was not time to change it. I then commented ... So why did you not clean it? It was filthy!!! I will not pay for any extended service contract from MINI based on this type of thinking.

 

Speedwing, I've had my share of issues with the MINI service. I try to do most work myself on my car. Of course, some things I can't do. For that I go to an ind. guy

 

About a month after I got my car (used) I changed to a CAI, and the filter was absolutely filthy and I had been noticing a little sluggishness before that. Car had 35k on it so I can only guess previous owner never changed it in adherence to the service schedule, (sigh). Anytime I do my own maintenance on my trucks, etc. I always change the airfilter,etc when I do the oil changes so about every 6k or less. They are too cheap and easy NOT to do it often. Now the MINI's filter is a little steep no matter what kind ya use (CAI or box), but I'd still have to change it waaaay before the service interval.

 

i recently cleaned my CAI at about 8K....

it was pretty dark at the tip of the foam cone and a little
dark around the sides.

 

We also have a K&N air filter. We check & clean each spring. Very easy to do. I have changed the cabin filter and this is NOT that easy to do but it was very dirty. However after changing it, the airflow for the A/C & Heater was greatly improved.

 

LOL! no doubt dude. sip that kool-aide!!!

 

I got my Alta CAI at about 15k, I cleaned/oiled it at 30k, and will clean/oil it again at 45k - about 7k miles.

 

I am assuming my OEM filter has been on the car since bought new, I am second owner. I was going to change it but I am getting a CAI here soon and decided to wait.

But it was dirty.