I read in the service details that the air filter element will be replaced every 3 oil changes. That equates to about every three years. I have always changed mine at least annually, especially living here in Texas. Do most of you just change it yourself? Every year? I'm getting ready to order a new element and change it. BTW, anybody have a link to some instructions on changing the element? Looks like the whole box has to come out. Thanks.
I assume you mean on the E90? If so, pull the whole box (remove two nuts holding mount down, remove boot leading to intake, remove duct going to front of car). Now you can lift the whole airbox up and out. I forget the Torx size required to undo all the bolts on the box, but it's straightforward at that point to just remove all, split it apart, swap out element and bolt it back together and reinstall it.