How often does bmw change the air filter

[cooa99]

I thinking of having a go at changing  the  breather  on my  2005 E53.  While it has been discussed that the air filter might as well be changed while carrying out this task, I cant seen to find anything in my service booklet to indicate that the air filter was ever changed.

So Question is at what service interval do they replace the air filter?.

I took my car for inspection 1 (brake fluid flush) back in dec 2010. Since then I have only done 13k miles and I think i took it to Kwikfit last year for an oil change.  The service Indicator is showing that I have 3 green lights left and need a brake fluid replacement.  Should the oil service light not have come up by now?.

ps. BMW are selling air filter for £42.50  while ECP are doing different brands for under £20. are they just as good?


cheers

cooa99

[X5Sport]

I don't know how frequently BMW change the filters, but I've used non-BMW badged air filters from ECP on both my old E53 and our E46.  Never had issues.  It's a fiddly job, but only because some of the bolts are a right :rant: to get to! 

In both case the filters on the cars were blacker than a coal mine with the lights out!

Richard

[Denis O]

I believe the frequency is every 3rd service. This is since they changed from Oil, Insp 1, Oil, Insp 2 etc, for the diesel engine.

I've had 2 cars where the filter has been changed and, like Richard, the state of the filter when it came out was horrific. I suspect they'd never been changed.

The diesel X5 will do about 17,000 miles and all green lights will go out. Did Kwikfit re-set the service lights when they did the oil change. If not I'm surprised you've got 3 greens after 13k miles. I would have expected 2 greens, soon to go to 1.

The clock is telling you it requires another brake fluid change; every 2 years. I always think this is OTT but have my indy check the fluid, ay every service, to see if it's OK. If it is, we leave it.

The only other issue will be coolant which was originally due to be changed every 4 years but now I believe BMW say lifetime fill. Again, check the coolant quality and act accordingly.

[cooa99]

I did not check/pay attention to the service lights to notice if kwikfit did reset it ...

looks like i had the oil & filter change with kwikfit only this past feb rather than las year .... should I wait till the lights go out before going back to BMW?

I have a look at another paperwork I received and they seem to tick off the line below in the doc as if done

With every 3rd engine oil change
- Intake silencer: replace air filter element. in the event of large collection of dust, reduce intervals between changes accordingly

strangely enough the service booklet had a cross for "Air cleaner element" which I am assuming means the same thing ...

Please can you recommend a good indy in bexleyheath/bexley/sidcup/welling/woolwich areas

I had the following lines below noted as Amber/recommendations in the docs
1) Both Front outer CV Boots perishing  £596
2) PAS pipe pump to track weeping , £135.08
3) Rubber Boot £69.42
4) NUT  £14.88
5) PRESS.HOSE  £178.88
6) SEALING RING £0.38
7) SEALING RING £0.47

I immediately had (1) taken care off .. but not by BMW for half the price noted.

any idea what (3-7) relates to?

cheers