I am looking for a you tube video on how to replace the engine air filter in my 2014 X3. I have found several but they do not show the same air cleaner setup I have in my car. The box the air cleaner is in on my car has a vertical seam rather than a horizontal one or a lid that lifts off. Any help would be appreciated.
It'll depend on which engine you have - here's the realoem diagram for a production month 8/14 X328ix (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=WX93-USA-08-2014-F25-BMW-X3_28iX&diagId=13_1411), not one I have, so no direct experience, but my guess would be you have to remove the middle or both sections of the intake ducts (part #'s 16 &/or 20), then on the side there it looks like there's 2 spring clips (shown, presumably 4 total, 2 on each side) clamping both halves of the airbox together, so you'd have to carefully prise those free (small screwdriver underneath the clip to pop or wiggle the clamp free, probably) and be careful they don't go flying. That, presumably, would allow separating the two halves of the airbox to replace the engine filter, if you have the N20 motor. You can start at the beginning of realoem and plug in the last 7 of your vin if you don't know your production year/month. Note the diagram is under the Fuel Preparation System. Realoem can be handy for getting a general idea where parts are and sometimes how they go together.
I assume you have the n20 model since you said vertical. These are still super simple to do. First unscrew the clamp on the intake pipe to the box and pull the intake hose off. Next unplug the mass airflow sensor wiring. To do this press the middle tab on the connector and pull up. If you follow the wire back it will be attached in a silver wire holder. Remove the wire from this holder. Last in the upper right hand corner of the box there is a 10mm bolt remove this and pull the air box straight up. If will be stuck in there well by ball catch on the right side of the box all you need to do is pull straight up. Now you have the box out and just unclip the silver clamps on the side of the box, split the box and replace the filter. Install is reverse of removal.
