Recommended replacement interval for the part category Air filter : 12 month / 15000 km

Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
BMW 3 Coupe (E46) 330 Cd … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle

Alternative products

Air filter

Replacement: air filter – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Tools you need:

                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      HEX bit No.H5
                    
                      Torx bit T25
                    
                      Torx bit T40
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Phillips screwdriver
                    
                      Clip removal tool
                    
                      Water pump pliers
                    
                      Microfibre towel
                    
                      Fender cover

Buy tools

Replacement: air filter – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Tip from AUTODOC:

Follow the terms, recommendations and requirements of the part operation provided by the manufacturer.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: air filter – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.

Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.

Step 3

Unscrew the fasteners of the suspension strut mount cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver. Use a clip removal tool.
Step 4

Remove the protective caps out of the shock absorber mounting fastener.
Step 5

Release the cabin filter cover clips.
Step 6

Unscrew the fasteners of the cabin filter housing cover. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 7

Unscrew the fasteners of the bottom part of the cabin filter housing. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8

Remove the cabin filter housing cover.

Replacement: air filter – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Tip:
Do not apply excessive force when removing the part. Otherwise you may damage it.
Step 9

Release the cabin filter cover clips.
Step 10

Unscrew the fasteners of the cabin filter housing cover. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Remove the cabin filter housing cover.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: air filter – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Be sure to position the filtering element correctly. Avoid misalignment.
Step 12

Detach the connectors from the climate control sensors.
Step 13

Remove the cabin filter housing seal.
Step 14

Unscrew the fasteners of the bottom part of the cabin filter housing. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15

Remove the bottom part of the cabin filter housing.
Step 16

Cover the cabin filter air ducts with a microfibre cloth to keep dirt and dust out.
Step 17

Unscrew the fasteners of the diagonal braces. Use Torx T40. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Remove the diagonal brace.
Step 19

Unscrew the engine cover fastener. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Remove the engine cover.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: air filter – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). To avoid damaging the part when removing it, do not use excessive force.
Step 21

Disconnect the air intake pipe fastening. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 22

Disconnect the air intake pipe from the air filter housing.
Step 23

Undo the fastening screws of the air filter cover. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 24

Unscrew the fasteners of the back section of the engine cover. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 25

Remove the back section of the engine cover.
Step 26

Unscrew the oil filler plug.
Step 27

Remove the oil filler cap.
Step 28

Take off the filter lid.
Step 29

Install the oil filler cap.
Step 30

Remove the filter element from the filter housing. Use water pump pliers.
Step 31

Clean the air filter cover and housing.

Replacement: air filter – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Professionals recommend:
Before cleaning the air filter cover and housing, cover the air duct parts, mass airflow sensor (if available), throttle valve with a clean cloth.
Step 32

Insert a new filter element into the filter housing. Make sure that the filter edge fits tight to the housing.

Replacement: air filter – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). Tip from AUTODOC:
Check out the correct location of the filter element. Do not skew.BMW 3 Coupe (E46) – It's important to only use high-quality filters.During installation, make sure to prevent dust and dirt from getting into the air filter housing.
Step 33

Remove the oil filler cap.
Step 34

Reinstall the air filter cover. Fasten it.
Step 35

Install the oil filler cap.

Step 36

Tighten the oil filler cap.
Step 37

Screw in the fastening screws of the air filter cover. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 38

Connect the air intake pipe to the air filter housing.
Step 39

Screw in the fastener of the air intake pipe. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 40

Put the back section of the engine cover back in place.
Step 41

Screw in the fasteners of the back section of the engine cover. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 42

Install the engine cover and secure it.

Replacement: air filter – BMW 3 Coupe (E46). AUTODOC recommends:
Make sure the engine cover is properly seated. It should not be displaced with respect to the guiding fasteners.Caution! Do not use excessive force during installation. This may damage the fasteners of the car. BMW 3 Coupe (E46)
Step 43

Screw in the engine cover fasteners. Use HEX No.H5. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 44

Install the diagonal brace.
Step 45

Screw in the fasteners of the diagonal braces. Use Torx T40. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 46

Remove the microfibre cloth from the cabin filter air ducts.
Step 47

Put the bottom part of the cabin filter housing back in place.
Step 48

Screw in the fasteners of the bottom part of the cabin filter housing. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 49

Attach the connectors of the climate control sensors.
Step 50

Reinstall the cabin filter housing cover. Make sure you hear a click indicating that it is locked in place.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid damaging the fasteners of the car during installation, do not use excessive force. BMW 3 Coupe (E46)
Step 51

Attach the cabin filter cover clips.
Step 52

Screw in the fasteners of the cabin filter housing cover. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 53

Reinstall the cabin filter housing cover. Make sure you hear a click indicating that it is locked in place.

AUTODOC recommends:
Caution! Do not use excessive force during installation. This may damage the fasteners of the car. BMW 3 Coupe (E46)
Step 54

Attach the cabin filter cover clips.
Step 55

Screw in the fasteners of the cabin filter housing cover. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 56

Screw in the fasteners of the bottom part of the cabin filter housing. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 57

Put the protective caps onto the shock absorber mounting fastener.
Step 58

Screw in the fasteners of the suspension strut mount cover. Use a Phillips screwdriver.
Step 59

Reinstall the cabin filter housing seal.

Step 60

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 61

Close the hood.

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