Air Filter DIY

I remember seeing a DIY on replacing a Air Filter on X3, but not sure in which forum. Would appreciate if anyone could post the link or images on how to replace air filter on 2004 X3.
Thanks in advance.

Do you know where the engine air filter box is? With you looking under the hood, it's on the bottom right hand side, behind the driver's headlamp. It's 4 or 5 clips to undo and the top cover just comes off.

One or two of the clips are hidden from obvious view, so you may have to feel around for them.

They are not all oriented the same way (up or down) to add further interest.

Without disconnecting the ducting, the top of the air box can be lifted just enough to get the old filter out and the new one in.

Looks something like the attached picture.

It might be worthwhile to clean out the inlet side of the box (the base) before putting the new filter in.

(This is where DIY adds value over a BMW technician working on a flat rate basis.)

A dustbuster works fine, or a painter's tack cloth.

To finish off, make sure all the clips are properly secured.

Guys, how much $$$ is an air filter? Thanks

It is one of the few DIY jobs on the X3 that anyone can do easily (watch those clips though). When I remove the stock air filter element in any of my cars or trucks I replace it with a K&N element. Then I just leave it in until I sell the car since it has been my experience that cleaning and re-oiling the element is where problems with the MAF arise (over oiling). Do I notice any performance gains? I like to think so, but can't prove it, but it does sound better under full throttle.

Thank you guys. I know where the air filter box is, but I was scared to pull off the cover after the clips were undone. I shall try again and post my findings and experience here. Thanks once again to everyone.

Don't be worried - there's enough play to open the box enough to swap a filter w/o fiddling with the adjacent tubing and MAF.

Just be sure the clips are all locked down afterward. It may be useful to clip them down in a staggered fashion to avoid asymmetric closure, with a frustrating final clip closure (think of it like doing a headbolts).

Here is a link to a handy guide on how to easily change out your engine air filter and some suggestions on good quality OEM German filters that i have used. It's an easy and cheap way to make sure your engine is breathing clean air.

X3 DIY Engine Air Filter Change Guide

That's probably a bit of overkill for most people but i wanted it to be simple enough that anyone could try/do it. Hope it saves you some $$$.