So today I decided to do a few things to my Mini since I picked it up about 2 weeks ago. I replaced the passenger motor mount that had sprung a leak, cleaned the engine air filter (which was utterly disgusting I might add), refill the washer fluid reservoirs, and check up on the cabin air filter.

Low and behold, I had a bird's nest size ball of grass resting atop the cabin air filter! If I wasn't running hacked Android on my phone, I would've taken pictures (Jelly Bean = Camera doesn't work. :() How I didn't notice this when running the AC I have no flipping clue, but wow was it a surprise. It pretty much bombed my entire passenger side floor with grass and luckily nothing else so easy cleanup

I've read of some people getting interesting things stuck in theirs, but have you guys found anything interesting in the past?

 

I found half a dozen acorns in my 02 a few years ago so I replaced the filter but never had a smell. I guess the cabin air filter was doing its job. Kept the acorns out of the cabin

 

How did you even manage that one?!

 

Im thinking it was mice. I had some chewing on things under the hood also

 

I had a large wad of mop strand cotton in there last time. Nothing was chewed on though.

 

Mine came out looking like a rodent there was so much hair and other debris in it. why there was hair coming from outside i have no idea.

 

i replaced my old and busted filter with this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Cabin-Ai...item564b182c73

IMO, great price, and fits perfect! i just wanted to share this "find" with anyone else who needs a filter. cant beat $15!

 

Luckily my father works for an automotive parts group so I was able to get the filter for super duper cheap :D (Helps with routine maintenance at least..)

I will say, it was kind of a pain in the butt replacing it.. I didn't realize at first that it was going to wrap around like it did. I was questioning whether or not it was the right filter until you feel the guides curving up the air duct. Thought that was an incredibly strange design

I think the previous owner kind of just threw it in there because it practically fell out on its own accord when I opened the air filter cover.

Pretty good deal though. :D