Questions about our CSL Air filter...
 

Hi gents,

I would like to find out how many different brands of air filter are out there for our CSL? With the OEM filter, is it a re-branded BMC filter as seen here http://www.m3csl.de/diy.php ?

Thanx guys!

cheers,

richie

oe from bmw is a bmc filter. you can get a jr filter but its special order and no cheaper :thumbs:

I saved £100 on my recent Inspection II by not having the OEM filter replaced as part of the service.

Instead I have an ITG element which cost approx £40 from Thorney and it's cleanable. :smt023

Really? I assume that there where no issues from the dealer? Does it effect the warranty?

I assume that the ITG has no impact on performance?

As far as I am aware the factory filter is cleanable, in fact I am almost certain it is.
I recently had an issue with my main dealer, I thought the car was running a little down on power and was not breathing properly.
I brought the car to a specialist.... to cut a long story short, we removed the airbox, , etc, removed the filter and as suspected it looked as if it had NEVER been cleaned.
It was soo filthy that we ordered a new replacement filter as it was gone beyond cleaning., the diference is very noticable.
I am soo pisced off with the main dealer that I refuse to deal with them and have the csl and my M5 serviced by specialist that I know I can trust.

sorry ..slightly off topic...fell better now that its off my chest though :wanker:

Factory one is cleanable as far as I know and it does get pretty dirty. Worth a clean every year to be honest.

The factory BMC filter is definitely cleanable ... although to be honest it's not that expensive of a piece and it does get clogged up pretty quick to be honest.

The problem with cleaning it is the black outer foam seal (as seen on the new recall replacement filter gets worn over time) so personally rather than cleaning it I'd just buy a new one. The amount of crap that could get past the old filter was ridiculous to say the least.

Also I doubt you'd get any performance gain from changing the filter .. the BMC item is quite a good piece already.

i never clean air filter,s just fit new its not worth messing around with, can of cleaner plastic bags gloves can of oil **** that just buy a new one fit it end of!

Yip i just fit a new 1 if it is very dirty

But i do take it out every month and clean it with the air line :thumbs:

thank you very much gents!!!

BMW Australia wants GBP 227 for a piece and with my discount, I can get it for GBP 181... they are really expensive... or probably I should just source it else where... somewhere in the UK will be cheaper I guess... Where can I get a cheaper OEM replacement in the UK besides the dealership? Pelican parts in the UK advertised it for USD 118 + shipping, that seams to be the cheapest I can find..

cheers,

richie

Can't see why there would be, but none for me as i'm out of warranty now anyway! :whistle:

ITG are a good filter as far as i'm told but can't see that there would be any performance benefit over standard - other than being a lot cheaper than that which BMW fleece people for!

As far as cleaning is concerned, I will only hoover/air line mine as needed and will simply swap in a new one when it gets very contaminated. I do wonder if having my induction flap removed speeds-up the contamination process, but i'm sure that it won't have too great an effect as i normally boot it once warm anyway! :hahaha:

Ooh, might airline mine. How easy is it to get too?

I shall get you a price tomorrow
and find out how much postage is
pm me your address :thumbs:

Richie, i know someone here that just bought one from Merlin Motorsport at Castle Combe Circuit. Part no: HMP 385, $93.87 (ex VAT). It seems more expensive than what Thorney charged me in May but they do ship abroad:

http://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/ITG-AIR-FILTERS-ITG-PROFILTER-BMW-BMW-3-Series/c432_439_535_2531/p8280/ITG-Air-Filter-for-BMW-M3-CSL-E46(modified-airbox)/product_info.html

Rob :thumbs: [/url]

cheers Rob.... :) :thumbs:

Mark... PM sent too :) :thumbs:

richie

Richie ... order it from New Zealand ... it's about NZ$220 from memory ...

[quote="glendog74"]Yes I believe it does.

Hi Tom,

That's much cheaper mate... do you know where can I get one from in NZ?

cheers,

richie

Have a look on there website for your nearest stockist when i spoke to merlin they told me it was special order and it was,nt much cheaper than bmw bmc filter which was around £80 i think

I'll check with my parts guy tomorrow to see if the prices have gone up on these. Might be able to get one in for you and post it over.

cheers tom!!! :)

richie

Richie

Just confirmed pricing with my parts guy ... they have indeed gone up in price ... I've got my old invoice and it was around about NZ$220 about 2 years ago ... but I can only get them now for NZ$287 ...

Thanx heaps Tom,

Will PM you when I need one mate... cheers :)

richie

Just been having a nosey at these ITG foam filters Thorney is selling.

Anyone any opinions of them? I hear they're easier to clean etc, but what about noise? Performance? Throttle response? Thorney seem to swear by them, John might be along soon since the other site isn't happening lately.

Any info appreciated as I don't think my original filter has ever been changed. Looking forward to seeing what lies beneath when I remove it :bigcry:

All i will say is have a shovel ready to get the grit out :hahaha:
They gather some amount of muck m8 you will not believe :119:

That’s why I clean mine every month or so it takes about 30min.

Also i just bought a brand new 1 for M3 CSL in oz and with my discount
they are £80.20

It will be in the post tomorrow morning Richie :thumbs:

I think i might get myself one of these filters! Have ben wanting to clean the airbox out for a while now!

Group Buy! :-D

Im gonna clean mine this afternoon.

£80 for a filter :119: GB sounds good :thumbs:

The retail price from BMW is £87.06 Part No 13727838625

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...l/IMG_0136.jpg

Look at the light that gets through the filter at the window
http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...l/IMG_0138.jpg

I shall try and see by BMW Parts Manager for a group buy

Good man

http://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/p...mp-library.jpg

Thorneys is a different shape from the OEM one.

Not gonna filter as well then is it?

I think that is just any old pic! The filter will have to be the same shape else wont work and will just fall out! :-D

Yep, that will just be a 'library' picture of any old ITG filter...

Yes the ITG is the same shape :whistle:

Thought so! :thumbs:

Will say I had an ITG on my Lotus Exige and it performed really well....better than original.

Oh, so far so good then. I wait and see what Thorney says when he comes along. Hopefully won't be too long.... :whistle:

I saw the vid in the tech section and was toying with having a go myself and putting one of these in.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pipercross-air...1%7C240%3A1318

BTW great vid :thumbs:

Dont know of anyone who runs a Pipercross filter!

Looks cheap tho! :beer:

I checked my ITG filter this afternoon - it was pretty minging after 10k miles since fitting! There was a small sandpit forming inside the airbox... :smt104

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/w...4/DSC02686.jpg

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/w...4/DSC02688.jpg

http://i728.photobucket.com/albums/w...4/DSC02689.jpg

Looks like all members did the same today! :thumbs: