Anyone changed their stock air filter element on an R56 / R55? I could use a DIY reference if someone has one. Looks like the filter housing is screwed shut, and there's also a bolt on the top of the valve cover that looks like it would need to be removed for access. Any help / tips would be appreciated, including torx sizes, etc...
I'm looking to keep the filter stock, I just need to know how to change the element.

 

Here ya go, 2nd try.

 

Thanks, but I think that these instructions may be for an earlier model, as they don't look anything like the air box in my R55 Clubman, non-S.

 

Edited my post. That was the S model. Sorry about that.

 

Thanks! That's exactly what I needed.

 

is that a part of the free maintenance? Why are you DIYing it?

 

I think it may get changed every other dealer oil change (around 30k?), but I do a lot of my own maintenance, so I wantd to know how to access the filter element. I drive less than 10k miles per year, and 3 years is a long time to wait for the first air filter change. I'll probably do one every 15k.
Also, on the change interval, the maintenance book has all service "as determined by the CBS (condition based service), so it's really hard to tell what the maintenance covers, and when it's due. A very confusing situation, if you ask me.

 

Air filters should be changed based on condition alone, with no regard to the calendar. Mileage gives you a good clue that you should inspect, but months / years alone mean nothing. And, consider that a somewhat used filter might in fact filter better than a brand new one. Doesn't make sense at first, but I think I've seen studies to support this. Maybe BITOG?

 

Unless an air filter is really filthy, I'm not sure what exactly to look for when inspecting it. I've always changed my air filters every 15K miles, but I'm open to suggestion if that's too frequent.

 

Hey there - can you repost the S version you had up earlier? Thanks!

 

Sure.

 

Other than the obvious looking for holes or a faulty gasket, just look at the media from the dirty side to see if it looks "filthy" or just a little dirty. Debris caked or caught in between the pleats that doesn't want to fall out with a few light whacks against the floor, grass, leaves, bugs clogging things up, etc. Hold up the filter to the light and look from the clean side to the dirty and see if there are any holes. See if it is so dark that no light penetrates (pretty dirty) or if it is more like the new filter.

Bottom line, save your money and replace the filter only when it needs it, or "almost" needs it. With my long gravel driveway, and all the summer dust, one might think I'd go through air filters sooner, but actually I get well over 15K on mine, especially the MINI with the intake up front. Many of my cars are mid engine and more likely to pick up dust and even they hold up longer than 15K.

Most of the filters I use start out with white media. Light grey doesn't impress me, medium dark grey gets tossed. I know that is difficult to convey over the internet using words, but I hope you get the idea.

 

Thanks, I get the general idea of when to change it.