You Can Further Improve Your BMW Six Cylinder with Just an Air Filter Change

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K&N filters are both computer-designed as well as hand-tested on sample BMWs to make certain the end user gets an OEM level of fit

If you were to select one type of product produced by the Bayerische Motor Werke (BMW) to hold up as an example of their engineering prowess, it would have to be their inline six cylinder engines.

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Under hood, there’s no sign that you’ve made a performance upgrade to your BMW six-cylinder engine

While much of the rest of the automotive worlds has abandoned the  inline six for the more compact (especially for front-wheel drive applications) for some version of a V6, BMW has held tight to its commitment to the smoother-running straight six that requires no balance shafts or unusual timing needed to calm the otherwise rough-running V6 configuration. In fact, BMW has been experimenting with V6 designs for a number of year but are never able to get one to meet corporate noise and harshness standards.

While much of the rest of the automotive worlds has abandoned the  inline six for the more compact (especially for front-wheel drive applications) for some version of a V6, BMW has held tight to its commitment to the smoother-running straight six that requires no balance shafts or unusual timing needed to calm the otherwise rough-running V6 configuration. In fact, BMW has been experimenting with V6 designs for a number of year but are never able to get one to meet corporate noise and harshness standards.

The first applications for the K&N 33-2292 began in 2003 with the BMW 520i, 525i, and 530i, which were fitted with BMW’s M54 is a straight-six DOHC engine. The M54 uses an aluminum block with cast iron liners and an aluminum cylinder head with cast iron cylinder liners. Further, the M54 features variable valve timing to both camshafts (dual VANOS in BMW speak) and a dual length intake manifold, which was named DISA by BMW.

The final application for this long-lived air filter design was the 2010 and 2011 BMW 630i. Despite the passing of eight years, the filter configuration, available as K&N 33-2292, remained the same even though the N52 engine was quite different.

Like the BMW M54, the BMW N52 is a straight-six DOHC engine. Compared with its M54 predecessor, the N52 features variable valve lift (ingeniously named Valvetronic by BMW), a lighter magnesium engine block and an electric water pump and a variable speed oil pump. Like the M54, the N52 uses an electronic throttle control, the VANOS variable valve timing to both camshafts and the dual length DISA intake manifold.

These are just the bookends of the applications for this filter. In between are cars as diverse as the Z4 and models of the 3, 5, and 7 Series.

The performance of each K&N filter design is verified through K&N’s in-house efficiency testing, which follows strict ISO 5011 standards, and confirms that K&N filters provide a high volume of intake airflow without sacrificing engine longevity.

And once you’ve installed your K&N 33-2292 air filter you’ve eliminated the need to purchase and replace paper filters for the life of your six-cylinder BMW 3, 5, 6, 7, and Z4 series. The only maintenance necessary is one you can do yourself in just a short time.  At intervals of 50,000 miles or about 80,000 kilometers (depending on your driving conditions) simply use a K&N air filter cleaning kit to easily clean and re-oil your air filter. Your one K&N air filter is designed to last the lifetime of your vehicle, which K&N guarantees will perform for up to 10 years or 1,000,000 miles without requiring replacement. For full details visit the K&N Million Mile Limited Warranty.

You can order the filter simply by clicking on the part number 33-2292 and while you’re at it, grab an air filter cleaning kit, part number 99-5000.

To find additional K&N upgrades for cars, trucks, scooters, motorcycles, motorhomes, or almost anything with an engine, use the K&N search by vehicle tool. Find an authorized K&N dealer nearby using the K&N dealer search.

The K&N 33-2292 fits the following vehicles:

2011 BMW 630I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2010 BMW 630I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2010 BMW 530I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2010 BMW 528I XDRIVE 3.0L L6 F/I - US
2010 BMW 528I XDRIVE 3.0L L6 F/I - Non-US, E60, E61 
2010 BMW 528I 3.0L L6 F/I - US
2010 BMW 528I 3.0L L6 F/I - Non-US, E60, E61 
2010 BMW 525I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2010 BMW 523I 2.5L L6 F/I - E60, E61
2009 BMW Z4 3.2L L6 F/I - All
2009 BMW 630I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2009 BMW 530I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2009 BMW 528XI 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2009 BMW 528I XDRIVE 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2009 BMW 528I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2009 BMW 525I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2009 BMW 523I 2.5L L6 F/I - All
2008 BMW Z4 3.2L L6 F/I - All
2008 BMW 630I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2008 BMW 530XI 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2008 BMW 530I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2008 BMW 528XI 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2008 BMW 528I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2008 BMW 525XI 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2008 BMW 525I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2008 BMW 525I 2.5L L6 F/I - All
2008 BMW 523I 2.5L L6 F/I - All
2007 BMW Z4 3.2L L6 F/I - All
2007 BMW 630I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2007 BMW 530XI 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2007 BMW 530I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2007 BMW 525XI 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2007 BMW 525I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2007 BMW 525I 2.5L L6 F/I - All
2007 BMW 523I 2.5L L6 F/I - All
2006 BMW Z4 3.2L L6 F/I - Non-US
2006 BMW 630I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2006 BMW 530XI 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2006 BMW 530I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2006 BMW 525XI 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2006 BMW 525I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2006 BMW 525I 2.5L L6 F/I - All
2006 BMW 523I 2.5L L6 F/I - All
2005 BMW 630I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2005 BMW 530XI 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2005 BMW 530I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2005 BMW 525XI 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2005 BMW 525I 2.5L L6 F/I - All
2005 BMW 523I 2.5L L6 F/I - All
2005 BMW 520I 2.2L L6 F/I - All
2004 BMW 630I 3.0L L6 F/I - All
2004 BMW 530I 3.0L L6 F/I - US
2004 BMW 530I 3.0L L6 F/I - E60, E61
2004 BMW 525I 2.5L L6 F/I - US
2004 BMW 525I 2.5L L6 F/I - E60, E61
2004 BMW 520I 2.2L L6 F/I - E60, E61
2003 BMW 530I 3.0L L6 F/I - E60
2003 BMW 525I 2.5L L6 F/I - E60, E61
2003 BMW 520I 2.2L L6 F/I - E60, E61
2003 BMW 520I 2.0L L6 F/I - E60, E61

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