Where is the cabin air filter located in the BMW 118i?
2 Answers
The air filter is positioned directly in front of the left driver's compartment, inside the engine bay, housed in a black box. It can also be accessed by removing the panel above the glove compartment or the passenger footwell mat. Here are the steps to replace the cabin air filter: 1. Remove the lower cover of the center console and the small cover on the left side of the passenger compartment. 2. After removing the cover, disconnect the footwell light and a speaker connection wire. 3. Once the cover is removed, the internal structure will be exposed; loosen the two screws. 4. Open the engine compartment, lift the cabin air filter cover, remove the old filter, and install the new one.
I remember discussing in the forum before that the cabin air filter location of the BMW 118i is actually not hard to find—it's right behind the glove box. The specific steps are: first open the glove box, and you'll notice a plastic cover or clip on the right side. Gently remove it, and you'll see a rectangular filter housing hidden inside. Just pull it out to replace the filter. I've done it myself once, and a small screwdriver is all you need—pretty convenient. It's recommended to check it every six months, especially during allergy season in spring, as excessive dust buildup can degrade the air quality inside the car and affect respiratory health. If you can't find a suitable replacement filter, just buy an OEM one online—it's affordable and hassle-free.