Air/oil filter?

JRMorgan · 02-10-2015, 03:54 PM

So I took my 135i dct in for a transmission malfunction error and the guy says it needs an oil change $150 and an "air/filter" change for $210.

I've been trying to look up this filter. I thought it was the air filter and I laughed when he said $210. I said that's just a paper filter right then he goes into how at 57,000 the computer says I'm 5000 miles overdue on this. He also said that it involves changing a stainless steel part etc. Really couldn't understand him to be honest. These cars seem too complex to even ask something as simple as "so what exactly does this filter do and where does it sit?" and to get a straight answer. I'm left wondering what this $210 thing he is doing.

I'm wondering if this is the cabin air filter or the fuel filter. I can't add this up. The computer screen did show 2 red marks and I guess oil is one and this mystery filter was the other.

Also I'll let you guys know what's up with this DCT malfunction.

Another thing is I requested SIB 12 15 14. At first he was argumentative saying whatever the computer says is what he can do. I said I need to research this and give him the SIB number. I made it clear I would not be getting any work done at that dealer if he can't do the SIB. He looked it up and said ok he can do it.

I really wanted the SIB because I'm sick of throttle lag. I used to think it is the DCT but maybe it's just throttle as that SIB applies to non DCT cars as well. They did that other update which removed all the "pops and burbles". That one was for idle issues. I do agree with others that the fix has emasculated my car. I hope this restores it.

Dackelone · 02-10-2015, 04:08 PM

The "$210 air filter thing" is most likely the pollen air filter for the cabin air. It's easy to replace. The engine air filter is also easy to replace DIY.

DIY changing your pollen micro filter...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538221

DIY changing your pollen micro filter...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=586891

6MT_Addict · 02-10-2015, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dackelone

The "$210 air filter thing" is most likely the pollen air filter for the cabin air. It's easy to replace. The engine air filter is also easy to replace DIY.

DIY changing your pollen micro filter...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538221" rel="ugc" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.1addicts....p?t=538221</a>

DIY changing your pollen micro filter...
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=586891" rel="ugc" target="_blank">http://<a href="http://www.1addicts....p?t=586891</a>

+1 on cabin filter. Even if you pay the high dealer cost for parts it will still be wayyy below $210.

Ask them if it's the micro filter and for a part number, then google the part number to confirm the exact filter they are quoting

Pkaia524 · 02-10-2015, 06:29 PM

If you are accurately describing what you were told, there are only two air filters on the car - engine air filter and cabin air filter. According to FCPeuro the air filter (BMW OEM) costs $29, the cabin filter costs $48. So say $80. I wouldn't be surprised if they charge 1 hour labor; in my area the BMW dealer labor rate is $130/hr. (DC area). So $210.

That being said the repair only requires a screwdriver and may 15-20 mins. Do it yourself.

mr.fabulous · 02-10-2015, 06:44 PM

I hate dealers

JimD · 02-10-2015, 06:53 PM

My son calls them "stealers". I don't plan to have them do anything on my car now that the "free" maintenance is over. I certainly won't have them change oil or filters. I know of one independent garage I will try if it needs something I don't want to tackle.

Usufruct · 02-10-2015, 09:48 PM

I haven't had to replace my air filter yet, but I bought a genuine OEM one on Amazon for less than $50 shipped, and it took about 5 minutes to install.

Hops128i · 02-11-2015, 08:29 AM

Just replaced the cabin and engine air filters. There are plenty of videos online. The cabin air filter took me 5min, but the engine air filter took my like 30min. You have to remove the air box open it, replace the filter. I kind of got stuck trying to get the airbox to re connect with the air intake, the space is tight, but it wasn't that bad. I found Mann branded filters on amazon, $15 (when it was on sale) for the cabin, and $25 for the engine.

JRMorgan · 02-11-2015, 01:11 PM

Thanks for the info. I'm going to tell him not to do it. The transmission issue was a cracked transmission pan and the oil came out.

Warranty will not cover that.

I asked him if there is any chance of transmission damage at all. He said no because the transmission has a pressure sensor and it will put the transmission into neutral if it doesn't have enough oil. So basically he said it's self limiting and won't damage itself.

Now he did say the labor is 2.5 hours and that would cost me $418.

JRMorgan · 02-11-2015, 03:08 PM

Just got more bad news. So the part is apparently $400. Even though I saw it online for $160. They have my car. I have their loaner. But honestly since this is not under warranty I want to take it to my Indy. But will they do the other work such as my SIB and recall? And allow me to tow it out?

Also would not getting it done there affect my warranty?

I feel like they have my car hostage right now.

JRMorgan · 02-11-2015, 04:19 PM

Ok no issues. They took care of everything except the transmission pan. So I guess ill pick it up tomorrow. Rather have it towed out.

Dackelone · 02-11-2015, 04:24 PM

You should either pony up the $418 for the repair or tow it to another shop. I would not drive it - even with what the SA/Tech told you. Driving with a leak is never a good idea.

Your not saving THAT much, I would just bite the bullet and pay the dealer to fix your your car. Even with the little money you will save at another shop... your still gonna have to deal with no car for a day or two and all that goes with another shop. To me its not worth it.

JRMorgan · 02-11-2015, 08:55 PM

Yeah I ended up coming to an agreement where I order the parts and they do the labor. The part is $167 plus $79 for bolts. They wanted $320 for that. In hindsight it's not really saving much. And I have to drop the parts off.

Their fluid is $79 which is actually cheaper than buying 4l because they may actually need to put more than 4l anyway and that's not my problem if that's the case.

Totally agreed on the hassle of towing even with AAA and dealing with that and co ordinating the repair and getting a rental etc. This way I keep their loaner and the job gets done without my involvement. They also did my SIB and also offered me 10% off. So it just made sense to let them do it.

02-10-2015, 03:54 PM	#1
JRMorgan Private 8 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Air/oil filter? So I took my 135i dct in for a transmission malfunction error and the guy says it needs an oil change $150 and an "air/filter" change for $210. I've been trying to look up this filter. I thought it was the air filter and I laughed when he said $210. I said that's just a paper filter right then he goes into how at 57,000 the computer says I'm 5000 miles overdue on this. He also said that it involves changing a stainless steel part etc. Really couldn't understand him to be honest. These cars seem too complex to even ask something as simple as "so what exactly does this filter do and where does it sit?" and to get a straight answer. I'm left wondering what this $210 thing he is doing. I'm wondering if this is the cabin air filter or the fuel filter. I can't add this up. The computer screen did show 2 red marks and I guess oil is one and this mystery filter was the other. Also I'll let you guys know what's up with this DCT malfunction. Another thing is I requested SIB 12 15 14. At first he was argumentative saying whatever the computer says is what he can do. I said I need to research this and give him the SIB number. I made it clear I would not be getting any work done at that dealer if he can't do the SIB. He looked it up and said ok he can do it. I really wanted the SIB because I'm sick of throttle lag. I used to think it is the DCT but maybe it's just throttle as that SIB applies to non DCT cars as well. They did that other update which removed all the "pops and burbles". That one was for idle issues. I do agree with others that the fix has emasculated my car. I hope this restores it.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-10-2015, 04:08 PM	#2
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	The "$210 air filter thing" is most likely the pollen air filter for the cabin air. It's easy to replace. The engine air filter is also easy to replace DIY. DIY changing your pollen micro filter... http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=538221 DIY changing your pollen micro filter... http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=586891 __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2015, 06:29 PM	#4
Pkaia524 Private First Class 43 Rep 157 Posts Drives: 2008 128i 6MT coupe Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	If you are accurately describing what you were told, there are only two air filters on the car - engine air filter and cabin air filter. According to FCPeuro the air filter (BMW OEM) costs $29, the cabin filter costs $48. So say $80. I wouldn't be surprised if they charge 1 hour labor; in my area the BMW dealer labor rate is $130/hr. (DC area). So $210. That being said the repair only requires a screwdriver and may 15-20 mins. Do it yourself.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2015, 06:44 PM	#5
mr.fabulous Captain 209 Rep 893 Posts Drives: Women Crazy Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Florida Gulf Coast iTrader: (0)	I hate dealers
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2015, 06:53 PM	#6
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	My son calls them "stealers". I don't plan to have them do anything on my car now that the "free" maintenance is over. I certainly won't have them change oil or filters. I know of one independent garage I will try if it needs something I don't want to tackle. __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2015, 09:48 PM	#7
Usufruct New Member 1 Rep 8 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Vermont iTrader: (0)	I haven't had to replace my air filter yet, but I bought a genuine OEM one on Amazon for less than $50 shipped, and it took about 5 minutes to install.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2015, 08:29 AM	#8
Hops128i Captain 71 Rep 675 Posts Drives: 2010 128i, manual, sport pkg Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Silver Spring, Maryland iTrader: (0)	Just replaced the cabin and engine air filters. There are plenty of videos online. The cabin air filter took me 5min, but the engine air filter took my like 30min. You have to remove the air box open it, replace the filter. I kind of got stuck trying to get the airbox to re connect with the air intake, the space is tight, but it wasn't that bad. I found Mann branded filters on amazon, $15 (when it was on sale) for the cabin, and $25 for the engine. __________________ 2010 128i manual, sport package, performance exhaust, Vorshlag camber plates, Bilstein B6 struts/shocks, 245/40/17 ZIII square on et 40 with rolled rear fenders.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2015, 01:11 PM	#9
JRMorgan Private 8 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the info. I'm going to tell him not to do it. The transmission issue was a cracked transmission pan and the oil came out. Warranty will not cover that. I asked him if there is any chance of transmission damage at all. He said no because the transmission has a pressure sensor and it will put the transmission into neutral if it doesn't have enough oil. So basically he said it's self limiting and won't damage itself. Now he did say the labor is 2.5 hours and that would cost me $418.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2015, 03:08 PM	#10
JRMorgan Private 8 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Just got more bad news. So the part is apparently $400. Even though I saw it online for $160. They have my car. I have their loaner. But honestly since this is not under warranty I want to take it to my Indy. But will they do the other work such as my SIB and recall? And allow me to tow it out? Also would not getting it done there affect my warranty? I feel like they have my car hostage right now.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2015, 04:19 PM	#11
JRMorgan Private 8 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Ok no issues. They took care of everything except the transmission pan. So I guess ill pick it up tomorrow. Rather have it towed out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2015, 04:24 PM	#12
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	You should either pony up the $418 for the repair or tow it to another shop. I would not drive it - even with what the SA/Tech told you. Driving with a leak is never a good idea. Your not saving THAT much, I would just bite the bullet and pay the dealer to fix your your car. Even with the little money you will save at another shop... your still gonna have to deal with no car for a day or two and all that goes with another shop. To me its not worth it. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-11-2015, 08:55 PM	#13
JRMorgan Private 8 Rep 80 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Yeah I ended up coming to an agreement where I order the parts and they do the labor. The part is $167 plus $79 for bolts. They wanted $320 for that. In hindsight it's not really saving much. And I have to drop the parts off. Their fluid is $79 which is actually cheaper than buying 4l because they may actually need to put more than 4l anyway and that's not my problem if that's the case. Totally agreed on the hassle of towing even with AAA and dealing with that and co ordinating the repair and getting a rental etc. This way I keep their loaner and the job gets done without my involvement. They also did my SIB and also offered me 10% off. So it just made sense to let them do it. Last edited by JRMorgan; 02-11-2015 at 09:05 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote