Bmw Cowl Filters

BMW Steve · 10-25-2016, 05:23 AM

BMW COWL FILTERS

As it says, cowl filters, any one using them, are they any good.

Before I purchase some.

Phil325i · 10-25-2016, 05:40 AM

No experience, but they look like the internals of a K&N air filter - in which case I'm sure they'd work fine.

What put me off going this route is that there appears to be no solution for where to put the two under-bonnet sensors that UK cars have. I think one's for the alarm and one for bonnet closure. When you remove the OEM cowl moulding, you loose the sensor mounting points...

MAN15H · 10-25-2016, 05:48 AM

That's exactly what I was wondering. I purchased these ages ago but they are currently still in the package they arrived in as I don't know where to put those two sensors.

If anyone has any ideas please post here thanks.

BMW Steve · 10-25-2016, 07:46 AM

VERY GOOD POINT

Well Presented, I have thrown the question over to the supplier, just waiting on his reply.

Wolf 335 · 10-25-2016, 07:56 AM

This was discussed a month ago in full depth detail.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1303828

shadow191 · 10-25-2016, 08:20 AM

Had them installed for almost 3 years now. The sensors can easily be zip tied.

BMW Steve · 10-25-2016, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadow191

Had them installed for almost 3 years now. The sensors can easily be zip tied.

That's what I thought,

Wolf 335 · 10-25-2016, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Steve

That's what I thought,

Once you get them fitted could you let us know how the noise levels are and also water drainage.

Phil325i · 10-25-2016, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadow191

Had them installed for almost 3 years now. The sensors can easily be zip tied.

Zip tied to what? Have you actually seen the sensors we're talking about? They include a push button and need a firm, secure base to operate.

BMW Steve · 10-25-2016, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Once you get them fitted could you let us know how the noise levels are and also water drainage.

Just purchased them so watch this space.

2jzn54 · 10-25-2016, 09:54 AM

daily driven without the cowl for 5 years now had the cowl filters on ever since they were release (3.5? years ago).. car washes.. florida rain.. northeastern u.s. snow - 0 problems.

tuck the sensors. done.

there will be some additional noise from the engine bay since the cowl isn't there to muffle

BMW Steve · 10-25-2016, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daily Three

daily driven without the cowl for 5 years now had the cowl filters on ever since they were release (3.5? years ago).. car washes.. florida rain.. northeastern u.s. snow - 0 problems.

tuck the sensors. done.

there will be some additional noise from the engine bay since the cowl isn't there to muffle

Where did you tuck in your sensors, got some location picks

shadow191 · 10-25-2016, 11:12 AM

Sorry, didn't realize the UK model might be different (googled the sensor and maybe that one could be zip tied to the strut bar). On the US model, there are 2 sensors on the cowl and those can easily be zip tied.

FWIW, it will be louder with the filters installed. You hear the intakes more. I wouldn't worry about water either, been through a lot of rain storms and car washes and no problems. DME box is sealed. One downside is that you basically have to run your AC all the time as the air coming in will be really hot since these filters get air directly from the engine bay. When you're moving it's ok, but if you're idling at a traffic light the incoming air is very warm unless AC is running.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil325i

Zip tied to what? Have you actually seen the sensors we're talking about? They include a push button and need a firm, secure base to operate.

RajB · 10-26-2016, 12:56 AM

I have the filters installed (and the forges etc can certainly be heard much more - which I love lol).

No issues with how they work and as for the sensors and drainage, well I sorted this side perfectly by fitting the M3 cowling. Looks completely OE of course and means everything is in place as it should be (without having anything tied out the way etc).

Check out my thread and you should see pics.

BMW Steve · 10-26-2016, 03:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RajB

I have the filters installed (and the forges etc can certainly be heard much more - which I love lol).

No issues with how they work and as for the sensors and drainage, well I sorted this side perfectly by fitting the M3 cowling. Looks completely OE of course and means everything is in place as it should be (without having anything tied out the way etc).

Check out my thread and you should see pics.

Hi Raj,,,

I had heard some thing about using the M3 cowling, tried looking for your thread but cant find it. Also is there a part number ?

RajB · 10-26-2016, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Steve

Hi Raj,,,

I had heard some thing about using the M3 cowling, tried looking for your thread but cant find it. Also is there a part number ?

Post number 436 in my build thread:

The Build...

And post number 445 gives the part numbers for the cowling too

You do need to extend the sensor wiring to relocate it and I used some washers to lift the bonnet switch to the correct height for it to make contact with the bonnet.

Post number 517 also gives the part numbers for the cable tidy pieces I also used to neaten the whole job.

HTH,

Raj

BMW Steve · 10-26-2016, 04:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RajB

Post number 436 in my build thread:

The Build...

And post number 445 gives the part numbers for the cowling too

You do need to extend the sensor wiring to relocate it and I used some washers to lift the bonnet switch to the correct height for it to make contact with the bonnet.

Post number 517 also gives the part numbers for the cable tidy pieces I also used to neaten the whole job.

HTH,

Raj

Thanks, off the read it all now....

MAN15H · 10-26-2016, 05:05 AM

so without spending loads more money on M3 cowling where can we move the bonnet senor so that it still operates as if it were still in its original position..?

RajB · 10-26-2016, 05:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Steve

Thanks, off the read it all now....

Cool and enjoy lol

RajB · 10-26-2016, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAN15H

so without spending loads more money on M3 cowling where can we move the bonnet senor so that it still operates as if it were still in its original position..?

It sure tbh. Guess you could move it closer to the wing or something but guess it's a bit or trial and error.

BMW Steve · 10-28-2016, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RajB

Post number 436 in my build thread:

The Build...

And post number 445 gives the part numbers for the cowling too

You do need to extend the sensor wiring to relocate it and I used some washers to lift the bonnet switch to the correct height for it to make contact with the bonnet.

Post number 517 also gives the part numbers for the cable tidy pieces I also used to neaten the whole job.

HTH,

Raj

Well, all the bits arrived today, Raj, thanks for the part No info, now all I need to do is get it sorted on sunday.

RajB · 10-28-2016, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW Steve

Well, all the bits arrived today, Raj, thanks for the part No info, now all I need to do is get it sorted on sunday.

No worries.

Just realised did you get the 3 bolts required for the cable tidy piece to screw it to the cowling? Can't remember the part numbers.

The cowling reuses the existing screws etc.

10-25-2016, 05:23 AM	#1
BMW Steve Captain 115 Rep 968 Posts Drives: F11 535D & e93 335i Highline Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Witlshire UK iTrader: (0)	Bmw Cowl Filters BMW COWL FILTERS As it says, cowl filters, any one using them, are they any good. Before I purchase some. Attached Images
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10-25-2016, 05:40 AM	#2
Phil325i Brigadier General 623 Rep 3,198 Posts Drives: E92 325i MSport Coupe Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: UK South East iTrader: (1) Garage List 2009 BMW 325i Coupe [6.00]	No experience, but they look like the internals of a K&N air filter - in which case I'm sure they'd work fine. What put me off going this route is that there appears to be no solution for where to put the two under-bonnet sensors that UK cars have. I think one's for the alarm and one for bonnet closure. When you remove the OEM cowl moulding, you loose the sensor mounting points... __________________ E92 pre-LCI 325i - Ohlins R&T; H&R spacers; M3 strut brace; Swift thrust sheets; 3 x chassis braces; diff brace; N53 V-brace; 034 subframe inserts; BMS clutch stop; BMS CDV; RE g/box mounts; Delrin shift bushes; Saikoumichi OCC; Cyba scoops; BMW Perf Exhaust; HEL s/steel brake hoses; M3 rear spoiler; Recaro Sportster CSs; M3 white dash LEDs; LED Angels; LED side repeaters; BMW Perf black grille; CSL reps; SSDD carbon diffuser; Monster Wrap black roof/clear front
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10-25-2016, 05:48 AM	#3
MAN15H Lieutenant 46 Rep 505 Posts Drives: G20 BMW 330e MSport Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: The Shires iTrader: (1)	That's exactly what I was wondering. I purchased these ages ago but they are currently still in the package they arrived in as I don't know where to put those two sensors. If anyone has any ideas please post here thanks.
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10-25-2016, 07:46 AM	#4
BMW Steve Captain 115 Rep 968 Posts Drives: F11 535D & e93 335i Highline Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Witlshire UK iTrader: (0)	VERY GOOD POINT Well Presented, I have thrown the question over to the supplier, just waiting on his reply.
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10-25-2016, 07:56 AM	#5
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2341 Rep 3,542 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA - Greater Toronto Area iTrader: (0)	This was discussed a month ago in full depth detail. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1303828
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10-25-2016, 08:20 AM	#6
shadow191 Lieutenant Colonel 181 Rep 1,681 Posts Drives: 2017 Volvo XC90 R-Design Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: GA iTrader: (3)	Had them installed for almost 3 years now. The sensors can easily be zip tied.
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10-25-2016, 09:54 AM	#11
2jzn54 Captain 41 Rep 823 Posts Drives: 07 E90 335i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: United States iTrader: (6)	daily driven without the cowl for 5 years now had the cowl filters on ever since they were release (3.5? years ago).. car washes.. florida rain.. northeastern u.s. snow - 0 problems. tuck the sensors. done. there will be some additional noise from the engine bay since the cowl isn't there to muffle
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10-26-2016, 12:56 AM	#14
RajB Brigadier General 448 Rep 3,312 Posts Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Midlands iTrader: (4)	I have the filters installed (and the forges etc can certainly be heard much more - which I love lol). No issues with how they work and as for the sensors and drainage, well I sorted this side perfectly by fitting the M3 cowling. Looks completely OE of course and means everything is in place as it should be (without having anything tied out the way etc). Check out my thread and you should see pics. __________________ E92 335i / M3 Hybrid - The Build
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10-26-2016, 05:05 AM	#18
MAN15H Lieutenant 46 Rep 505 Posts Drives: G20 BMW 330e MSport Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: The Shires iTrader: (1)	so without spending loads more money on M3 cowling where can we move the bonnet senor so that it still operates as if it were still in its original position..?
	Appreciate 0 Quote