Got a problem on changing the air filter on my 50i

[perry8912]

Hey guys, a quick question, I was trying to replace the air filter with M’s yesterday. I pushed very hard, but I can’t have the center screw holes match to each other. Is it because I didn’t tuck the filter all the way in?
I saw there is a o-ring groove on the filter, should that groove go inside of the inlet flap or just stay outside? Because when I let go of my hands to screw the hole, the filter just pop out and nothing is holding it.
Any help or advice please?

[Bodie217]

That is just how it is, I had the same issue. I ended up forcing it.

Get each air filter (oval side) as deep into the intake tract as possible, then essentially line up the filter mounting holes, thread the screw through the 2 filter mounting holes, then push them down until the screw can be threaded into the hole. Hard to explain, but essentially you need to muscle it a bit.

[bmwMthusiast]

Originally Posted by perry8912

Hey guys, a quick question, I was trying to replace the air filter with M’s yesterday. I pushed very hard, but I can’t have the center screw holes match to each other. Is it because I didn’t tuck the filter all the way in?
I saw there is a o-ring groove on the filter, should that groove go inside of the inlet flap or just stay outside? Because when I let go of my hands to screw the hole, the filter just pop out and nothing is holding it.
Any help or advice please?

Put the screw through both tabs first, angle the filter openings down into their slots simultaneously. Then push down on the screw; it should seat the filters with everything aligned and drive the screw in.

A little silicone grease around the O-ring also helps.

[DuSh]

Yes you need to wet o-rings and filters will slide all the way in. Central screw needs some muscles but this is small price to pay if you want x5m filters.

[perry8912]

Appreciate all the helps guys.

I did what bmwMthusiast suggested, put the screw in first, angle the filter into their slot and push down the screw, and it works!! Hope I didn’t strip the thread.....

But another problem, If I use a screwdriver to touch the o-ring inside, I can see it moving in their grooves. So I’m thinking maybe the o-ring doesn’t set in the right place? Is that normal?
And if I drive the screw out, the filters pop out right away, which didn’t happen on the original 50i’s filter, and it got me worried. How can I know if the filter sealed the intake completely?

[sj22]

I can tell you its not a 100% flush fit, but its a good 80-90% flush fit when you screw it in. Take it out and try redoing it, or try putting your old filters back and you will get an idea.

Also from what I remember, the up and down sides are specific.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by sahiljain22

I can tell you its not a 100% flush fit, but its a good 80-90% flush fit when you screw it in. Take it out and try redoing it, or try putting your old filters back and you will get an idea.

Also from what I remember, the up and down sides are specific.

Agree ^ it's not going to be 100% flush fit - it's just how it is with x5m filters - they are just a bit different.

[perry8912]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Agree ^ it's not going to be 100% flush fit - it's just how it is with x5m filters - they are just a bit different.

Really? I thought the intake port are the same with M and 50i's filter and it does look like pretty similar.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by perry8912

Really? I thought the intake port are the same with M and 50i's filter and it does look like pretty similar.

Sorry for not been clear. Intakes are same, but size of x5m filter is a bit different, not by much, but enough for central screw to give issues. Also, lid closing is going to require a bit of force too from my experience - probably because x5m filters don't really sit as flush as 50i filters. I had to really push the lid down while tightening screws.
On the positive side - many of us have done it and so far no issues with it.

[pits200]

I haven't read the entire thread but were you sure to get two different filters when using the M since the filter is asymmetrical and can only go in one way.
13717850055
13717850056

The 50i only uses one filter type so left and right don't matter 13717638566

It's crazy that it's so difficult for you, mine slid right in as if they were stock, maybe had to use an additional 10% of force to get the retaining screw lined up but nothing you're experiencing.

[perry8912]

Originally Posted by pits200

I haven't read the entire thread but were you sure to get two different filters when using the M since the filter is asymmetrical and can only go in one way.
13717850055
13717850056

The 50i only uses one filter type so left and right don't matter 13717638566

It's crazy that it's so difficult for you, mine slid right in as if they were stock, maybe had to use an additional 10% of force to get the retaining screw lined up but nothing you're experiencing.

Yeah, it’s two different M filters with same part number you mentioned.
I don’t know why it felt so difficult, but in order to set the filter in the right position, I had to use some tricks like other guy mentioned above. Even after I drive the screw in, I still feel the filter does not seal the intake completely.
Maybe I’ll try again this weekend, but I already felt the thread of central hole may be stripped a little

[Deubert85]

Does anyone know where these filters go? I was replacing my air filters and cabin, but came across these as I searched for part replacement. 2014 X5 50i. Thanks

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Deubert85

Does anyone know where these filters go? I was replacing my air filters and cabin, but came across these as I searched for part replacement. 2014 X5 50i. Thanks

Doesn't Look like any cabin filters on the 50i. These are the three we have.

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Deubert85

Does anyone know where these filters go? I was replacing my air filters and cabin, but came across these as I searched for part replacement. 2014 X5 50i. Thanks

Those are from E70 x5 - previous generation x5 that was produced up to 2013. When searching online many vendors have outdated software that might give you parts for previous gen. In that case chose 2015 to be sure you won't be given wrong part.

[Duke I]

Originally Posted by Maverik259

Doesn't Look like any cabin filters on the 50i. These are the three we have.

Mav, dude! Vacuum your car!

[Deubert85]

Thanks Dush. I was searching the engine thinking there can't be another set of engine air filters. Have you noticed any change in the M performance air filter compared to the standard

[DuSh]

Originally Posted by Deubert85

Thanks Dush. I was searching the engine thinking there can't be another set of engine air filters. Have you noticed any change in the M performance air filter compared to the standard

Not for stock 50i, but for tuned I noticed a bit improvement in acceleration. Usually people say buttdyno is noticeable when there's a 10% change. I'm not sure if it's that much in this case, but even if it's 5% it's still a lot: 5% for tuned n63tu is about 25whp Filters have 14% more volume flow when tested on flow bench by our forum member. I'm not sure if Stage 1 tune takes advantage of it fully or we need Stage 2 for that, but for the money they cost compared to stock 50i filters ($100 more than 50i filters) - why not? Folks with same engine n63tu in F10 forum spend literally $1-2k for a good intake (they have much worse intake design due to more limited space under the hood compared to our x5 cars).

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Duke I

Mav, dude! Vacuum your car!

Man that's an old pic. Probably washed and vacuumed the next day....probably not.

[on3eighteen]

Originally Posted by DuSh

Agree ^ it's not going to be 100% flush fit - it's just how it is with x5m filters - they are just a bit different.

Do you think it'd help if I make the screw holes which connect the 2 filters a bit bigger? Sounds like that just may give the extra ~2mm needed while at the same time keeping the seal air tight. I'm just looking to take a little pressure off the screw b/c I can only screw it in halfway & the pressure is just too much that I can't tighten it any more or I'll strip the torx screw. I am headed to Home Depot to buy some silicone grease...I wonder if I can put that on the screw too...there's a ton of friction going on.

[on3eighteen]

OK, so I got the filters in. I did 2 things, but I wish I had done 1 at a time. I followed the advice of using silicone grease, got it at Home Depot for $5. I think I only needed to do just that because it was so much easier to move the filters o-rings around once I put a very thin coating all around. But I also used a drill to make more room on the plastic holes where the screw connects the 2 filters. And at first I drilled the wrong end of the hole (the one farthest from the fitler) but I needed to make the end closest to the filter bigger, that's where there was tension. So I got it screwed in, and it was still harder to screw it in that I hoped, but it's done. Again, I should have just done the silicone 1st to see before messing w/ the plastic. Here's a pic...feedback welcome. And I included a pic of the ones I replaced. I can't believe for a CPO car w/ 33K miles & $47K, they didn't replace them, they are gross & I am calling my sales guy tomorrow just to say "Bad, bad, bad"...I don't expect them to do anything.

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by on3eighteen

OK, so I got the filters in. I did 2 things, but I wish I had done 1 at a time. I followed the advice of using silicone grease, got it at Home Depot for $5. I think I only needed to do just that because it was so much easier to move the filters o-rings around once I put a very thin coating all around. But I also used a drill to make more room on the plastic holes where the screw connects the 2 filters. And at first I drilled the wrong end of the hole (the one farthest from the fitler) but I needed to make the end closest to the filter bigger, that's where there was tension. So I got it screwed in, and it was still harder to screw it in that I hoped, but it's done. Again, I should have just done the silicone 1st to see before messing w/ the plastic. Here's a pic...feedback welcome. And I included a pic of the ones I replaced. I can't believe for a CPO car w/ 33K miles & $47K, they didn't replace them, they are gross & I am calling my sales guy tomorrow just to say "Bad, bad, bad"...I don't expect them to do anything.

Damn that's pretty awful!
Glad you got them installed. It was t easy for me neither. Luckily I didn't have to do any extra stuff just s but if elbow grease.