Where is the cabin filter on RHD cars?

[B21]

Just buttoning up the interior after fitting CarPlay and the c/f trim..thought..hey let’s fit a fresh cabin filter…

Naturally looked at new TIS shows filter on RHS under glovebox…so looking under the steering column ..I know I’ve had eye operations but can’t seem to see it?

So where the fcuk is it ?

 

[Chippie]

so looking under the steering column ..I know I’ve had eye operations but can’t seem t

Other side, it’s a while since I did mine but from memory remove the panel below glove box and it’s up there.

 

[AnubisZed]

https://youtu.be/VVOCM3QDvJ8

 

[B21]

https://youtu.be/VVOCM3QDvJ8

Thanks Dave..another brilliant how to well shot with sound video so you can just get the right perspective..spent over an hour faffing ..after I saw your video 5 mins…pity you have to be fcuking gynaecologist to get in there …

Fair amount of crap in there ..

 

[Pondy]

Not the most accessible place are they? Fiddly to slide new one in too. :x

 

[B21]

Not the most accessible place are they? Fiddly to slide new one in too. :x

Yes another 5 minute job that’s just taken 2 hours…

Judging by the number of mashed screws others have struggled in the past..

 

[Pondy]

Most other cars I've done have the filter horizontal (not vertical) behind the glovebox (not under it). Tool free job that takes about 60 seconds. But BMW have to be different. If I was the cynical type I would think they do it on purpose to hopefully get their dealers to do it for you obviously for a more than nominal fee! :roll:

 

[OrangeCar]

First thing I did was this on E89 - also can vouch for the Youtube video

Although .... I ordered the wrong filter - Bosch R2386, instead of Bosch R2368; similar part number, did not realize until I had already taken out old filter. Now have I have pair of Alfa Romeo air filters - being used as two tea coasters (they work quite well).

 

[flybobbie]

The guy in video pulls it down.
It actually slides left to remove it.
And reverse to fit.
Also watch what you order, measure it.
I was sent a wrong size.

 

[AnubisZed]

The guy in video pulls it down.
It actually slides left to remove it.
....

What, my video above?
I clearly show the BMW pictogram with the arrow to the left for 7 seconds, and then pull it down to get it out.

 

[derin100]

Sorry to resurrect this thread but having watched the video, I’m still unclear about one thing:

The new filter I have has an arrow and the words “Air Flow”. Which direction should the arrow be pointing when the filter is inserted? Arrow pointing towards the back of the car?

TIA

 

[enuff_zed]

Sorry to resurrect this thread but having watched the video, I’m still unclear about one thing:

The new filter I have has an arrow and the words “Air Flow”. Which direction should the arrow be pointing when the filter is inserted? Arrow pointing towards the back of the car?

TIA

The air flows from outside the car, into the cabin, so the arrow should point out into the cabin area.

 

[derin100]

Yes…that is clear but that doesn’t actually answer the question because the air could come in from the outside and be directed into the cabin by ducts in either direction through filter! It could still be forwards i.e towards the front of the car but that could still be the direction going into the cabin. If you see what I mean?

Indeed, if you Google that question, this is EXACTLY what the AI answer gives you i.e the airflow is towards the FRONT of the car!

Please see instructions in this screenshot. I know it seems counterintuitive….hence my question:

 

[derin100]

It just struck me that there is a very easy way to definitively answer my own question.

Simply remove the old one noting which side all the debris and leaves etc are. This side must then be the ‘outside’ from which air then flows into the cabin.

In so doing, the debris is indeed towards the FRONT. So air flows in the direction FRONT OF THE CAR TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE CAR i.e engine bay/headlamps to boot/rear lights direction.

Therefore, the ARROW on the filter should point towards the REAR OF THE CAR.

This is NOT what Google says! Google says the complete opposite!

 

[flybobbie]

The guy in video pulls it down.
It actually slides left to remove it.
....

What, my video above?
I clearly show the BMW pictogram with the arrow to the left for 7 seconds, and then pull it down to get it out.

Looked at first it was just pulled down, rather than slide and drop.
Seen another video someone just pulling at it.
BMW in their wisdom didn't put any mesh on the air intake outside.
If you ever have the bottom window trim off, put some mesh over air intake to try and stop large leaves getting in.

 

[enuff_zed]

It just struck me that there is a very easy way to definitively answer my own question.

Simply remove the old one noting which side all the debris and leaves etc are. This side must then be the ‘outside’ from which air then flows into the cabin.

In so doing, the debris is indeed towards the FRONT. So air flows in the direction FRONT OF THE CAR TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE CAR i.e engine bay/headlamps to boot/rear lights direction.

Therefore, the ARROW on the filter should point towards the REAR OF THE CAR.

This is NOT what Google says! Google says the complete opposite!

So do you Google it or ask on a forum full of owners ?

 

[Zed Baron]

That's why BMW charge a silly price to change it! Surprised Peter after rebuilding 2 E89s that you had never changed a cabin filter

 

[derin100]

So, job done yesterday and also did the AC decontamination as per the video

 

[derin100]

It just struck me that there is a very easy way to definitively answer my own question.

Simply remove the old one noting which side all the debris and leaves etc are. This side must then be the ‘outside’ from which air then flows into the cabin.

In so doing, the debris is indeed towards the FRONT. So air flows in the direction FRONT OF THE CAR TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE CAR i.e engine bay/headlamps to boot/rear lights direction.

Therefore, the ARROW on the filter should point towards the REAR OF THE CAR.

This is NOT what Google says! Google says the complete opposite!

So do you Google it or ask on a forum full of owners ?

Having asked both and NOT found a definitive answer (your answer didn’t say the flow was “from the front to the back”. It merely stated the blindingly obvious which is that the flow is from “outside to inside” :roll: …and no other owners answered), I decided to work it out for myself!

As in my previous reply, and as indicated by the Google AI answer (!), it would be perfectly possible for the flow through the filter to be from “the outside to the inside” yet be in the direction from back of the car to the front. Your answer did not eliminate that possibility. That is despite my original question having specifically asked this!

Now I have worked it out for myself AND ALSO definitively answered the SPECIFIC question, should anyone else be searching for the answer!

“THE DIRECTION OF AIRFLOW THROUGH THE CABIN FILTER IS IN THE DIRECTION FROM FRONT OF THE CAR TO THE BACK. THEREFORE, THE ARROWS ON THE REPLACEMENT FILTER INDICATING AIRFLOW SHOULD POINT TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE CAR.”

This is clear, unequivocal and above all….UNAMBIGUOUS. Unlike “the flow is from the outside to the inside”.

I hope this proves helpful to others. Thanks.

 

[Varixto]

Talking about tricky pollen filter changes..you should try an Alfa Romeo 156. It was like yoga practice...for a person with the elasticity of a concrete block! (ie: me). I had to fully rest with my back on the floor pan, belly up with no space to move to be able to see what I was doing. What a nightmare.
In the Mk3 Megane Coupe, for example, you need to remove the clutch pedal to be able to do it! (it seems to be set up for LHD)
The Z4´s doesn´t look too bad in comparison.