[aweedman]

Trying to change the air filter for the first time. What a ridiculous setup in this car! The clip under the MAF sensor was a little difficult to remove but impossible to clip back on. I'm positive that both the air filter and clip are set correctly. Suggestions?

[///M TOWN]

Originally Posted by aweedman

Trying to change the air filter for the first time. What a ridiculous setup in this car! The clip under the MAF sensor was a little difficult to remove but impossible to clip back on. I'm positive that both the air filter and clip are set correctly. Suggestions?

As long as it’s snug, it shouldn’t be a problem. You can always put a zip tie around to keep the two parts in place.

Next time you don’t need to actually disconnect it… just lift tbe top half enough to r&r the filter

Also be careful the air box clips can drop to the bottom of the engine bay

[mtoosexy]

Originally Posted by ///M TOWN

As long as it’s snug, it shouldn’t be a problem. You can always put a zip tie around to keep the two parts in place.

Next time you don’t need to actually disconnect it… just lift tbe top half enough to r&r the filter

Also be careful the clips can drop to the bottom of the engine bay

Yes, yes they can.

[ggggbmw]

To me the dumbest thing is that you have to unbolt the corner 'boomerang' brace to access one of the clips and lift the filter cover. Not hard, but a really annoying extra step. Especially since it took me longer to look up the torque spec (28 Nm) than to actually remove and replace it.

Oh, and definitely watch out for flying clips that disappear into the nether regions of the car. So annoying that those come loose like that.

[///MPhatic]

Originally Posted by aweedman

Trying to change the air filter for the first time. What a ridiculous setup in this car! The clip under the MAF sensor was a little difficult to remove but impossible to clip back on. I'm positive that both the air filter and clip are set correctly. Suggestions?

There's a trick to it.

When you unclip everything and remove the old filter, the right side of the airbox (the easy side) falls perfectly into place. Same for when you slide the new filter in. Unfortunately, the left side (the down side, the hard side), must go in first or it won't fully clip on.

Lift both sides at once so they are up above the filter, then push down on the low/hard side to make sure it falls into place first, then do the top/easy side.

Once you get it, it won't bother you again, just always remember to lift the entire thing up, then push the back side down first. You'll feel it clip in positively, there won't be any question.

Hard to find a pic, but in this eBay ad you can see the two little hook areas on the bottom of the box that you have to get the back into before you put the front down and clip it in.