Gentlemen please clean your damned microfilters!!

[mike wong]

even though your e34 may not have one, it may have just been omitted. the slot to squeeze in a M/F, could exist. It can be a PITA just to check it out, but even if there is NOT a slot, you might be able to clean out the area in front of the evaporator.

Use a vacuum cleaner with long snout and various size brushes to loosen trapped dirt and leaves. As another posted previously, cleaning could improve airflow.

[Jon K]

even though your e34 may not have one, it may have just been omitted. the slot to squeeze in a M/F, could exist. It can be a PITA just to check it out, but even if there is NOT a slot, you might be able to clean out the area in front of the evaporator.

Use a vacuum cleaner with long snout and various size brushes to loosen trapped dirt and leaves. As another posted previously, cleaning could improve airflow.

Seriously guys the job isn't that hard. I will summarize real quick:

Reach around glove box...
1) Pop the holders on the back that hold it to the rod
2) Drop clips on front fabric/piston glove box support
3) Drop glovebox put aside
4) Remove glovebox ceiling, about 3 or 4 screws, unplug lamp connector
5) Remove one screw from floor carpet panel, pull toward front of car and out
6) Unscrew/clip the flashlight holder panel on left side of glove box area, undo harness on back for flashlight.
7) Find the green cover back toward the firewall and undo the bottom screw, turn the top knob about 15 degrees counter-clockwise, slide out.

Done

20 mins

[rickm]

There are instruction at bmwe34.net for doing this, once you do it it's easy. http://www.bmwe34.net/e34main/mainte...ce/filters.htm

[granit_silber]

It does if you have them perform the normal Inspection I and II. If you are only having them do oil changes and not following the rather lengthly service schedule then no. Check your invoices and see if you were charged for it.

Most dealerships really, really, really don't like changing the micro-filter (even though they often charge you for it). In fact, my indy (who is awesome!) has two prices for the inspections on the E34; one including the filter change, and one without the change.

With as dirty as Jon's filter was, I bet it was the first change in a while (possibly the first change ever).

Anyway, have a great day!
-ashley