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      10-13-2018, 09:44 AM   #1
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Charcoal Filter Removal How-To

Yes, the F90 M5 is burdened with the charcoal filters in the air boxes to make it 50 state compliant (thanks California!). They are pretty easy to remove.

Step 1 (Red) - Remove these plastic covers. They pop off with a light pull strait upwards.

Step 2 (Orange) - With two flat blade screw drivers on either side of the center pin, gently lift the pin up then remove the plastic pop rivets.

Step 3 (Yellow) - Loosen the two hose clamps on either side of the air hose and remove air hose.

Step 4 (Green) - Remove the two bolts for the metal brace.

Step 5 (Blue) - Loosen the 6 bolts that secure the air box cover. BMW finally got smart and designed these bolts so they don't come out all the way, they have a retainer on the inside to keep them attached to the air box lid so you can't drop them down into the engine bay.

Step 6 (Purple) - Drivers side only, loosen the bolt that holds the rubber shield in place.

Step 7 - Lift air box cover and use a flat blade screw driver to pop the charcoal filters out of the air box cover.

Step 8 - Reinstall the air box cover making sure it's on straight and makes a tight seal all the way around. Reverse steps 7 through 1 to reinstall everything.
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      10-13-2018, 10:16 AM   #2
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Is there any replacements our for these charcoal filters that add horsepower and are still safe for filtration?
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      10-13-2018, 10:16 AM   #3
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When you lay the charcoal filter on top of the air filter, it shows how much of an area restriction it actually is. Hopefully, some drop ins will hit the market soon. The factory airbox, while not perfect, isn’t too bad.

Great post.
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      10-13-2018, 10:43 AM   #4
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Got mine removed couple months ago.
I want intake so bad. Lol
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      10-13-2018, 11:10 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GUNGASLOW View Post
Is there any replacements our for these charcoal filters that add horsepower and are still safe for filtration?
These are not the air filters. The air filters are tan in color with an orange rubber gasket. Those should stay in when you remove the charcoal filters. These are in there for CA EPA regs to absorb any gas fumes that might leak out while the engine is shut off.
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Last edited by AGS; 10-14-2018 at 05:05 AM..
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      10-13-2018, 11:24 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AGS View Post
These are not the air filters. the air filters are tan in color with an orange rubber gasket. Those should stay in when you remove the charcoal filters. These are in there for CA EPA regs to absorb any gas fumes that might leak out while the engine is shut off.
So is there any harm in pulling them out to the engine? Any performance benefits?
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      10-13-2018, 11:51 AM   #7
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Great DIY witeup! Thanks for posting
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      10-13-2018, 01:16 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GUNGASLOW View Post
So is there any harm in pulling them out to the engine? Any performance benefits?
No harm at all. BMW only puts them in North American vehicles. I'm pretty sure I recall when the F10 first came out owners of non-NA vehicles checked and didn't have them.

Most people who pull them (including me) feel there is a small benefit. It's not going to shave time off your 0-60 speed or anything that dramatic, but the engine seems to rev a little easier since it can breath better with the removed.
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      10-13-2018, 07:01 PM   #9
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What's the point in removing these?
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      10-13-2018, 07:18 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freezey View Post
What's the point in removing these?
Less parasitic loss.
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      10-13-2018, 09:18 PM   #11
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Increased airflow.
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      10-14-2018, 04:04 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freezey View Post
What's the point in removing these?
shaves 1 pound to the total overall car weight - and thus my mother in law is allowed in the back seat.
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      10-14-2018, 05:30 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marcvtec View Post
shaves 1 pound to the total overall car weight - and thus my mother in law is allowed in the back seat.
My motherinlaw sucks!! I would never let her in my car no matter how much weight it saved!
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      10-14-2018, 08:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by marcvtec View Post
shaves 1 pound to the total overall car weight - and thus my mother in law is allowed in the back seat.
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      10-18-2018, 04:04 PM   #15
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Big difference .
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      10-18-2018, 05:57 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onfireX5 View Post
Big difference .
What is the white one? Are you replacing the black one with the white one?
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      10-18-2018, 06:42 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GUNGASLOW View Post
What is the white one? Are you replacing the black one with the white one?
The white one is the Charcoal filter that you remove. It's much smaller than the actual air filter.
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      10-18-2018, 07:20 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onfireX5 View Post
The white one is the Charcoal filter that you remove. It's much smaller than the actual air filter.
Huh? The white one looks bigger
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      10-18-2018, 07:30 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GUNGASLOW View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by onfireX5 View Post
The white one is the Charcoal filter that you remove. It's much smaller than the actual air filter.
Huh? The white one looks bigger
The one with black surround is the charcoal filter
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      10-18-2018, 08:05 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ever34 View Post
The one with black surround is the charcoal filter
Exactly. Black gasket is Charcoal and is much smaller than the actual air filter with the orange gasket.
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      11-10-2018, 12:20 PM   #21
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Anyone notice a difference in intake noise? I'm guessing it's not much.
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      11-10-2018, 01:07 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Demon Barber View Post
Anyone notice a difference in intake noise? I'm guessing it's not much.
I"ve not yet done it on the F90 M5 but I did it on my 15' M5 w/ K&N Drop-ins and there was a notable improvement in sound (compared to stock).
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