I got an Alta foam air filter and have now opened the airbox 3 times to install and then to clean it. The airbox top is held shut by 2 screws in plastic holes that don't seem intended to be used over and over again. Today one hole seemed like it was getting stripped. Is there anything to be done, other than buying a DDM box?
fatter screws I have an 03S with stock airbox,so I don't know if this would work for you,but I used larger diameter stainless steel sheet metal screws when mine stripped out.
Sounds that will work until those strip out, then I'll get bigger and bigger screws! I'm taking my car for service today and I'll check to see if it's possible to buy a new base to the airbox. I didn't see it (or the airbox at all) on Real OEM.
On RealOEM its under Fuel Preparation System => Intake muffler RealOEM.com BMW R53 Cooper S SUCTION SILENCER/FILTER CARTRIDGE
Just get yourself some bigger sheet metal screws and carefully thread them by hand. When you feel slight resistance and you see that the screws are bottomed out, stop tightening. The OEM ones get stripped when people try to over-tighten them.
Thanks! Looks like an inexpensive part so I'll probably just have it replaced if necessary. I'm not really a DIY guy who would want to get into retrofitting it with new screws (and I don't particularly want to spend on a DDM right now - unless someone makes me a great deal at AMVIV). As I'm sure you know, tightening the screws clamps the lid down onto the filter to seal it shut. I try to get it tight-but-not-too-tight, but I suppose I failed. The metal screw into plastic ain't the best solution! I just have Alta's drop-in filter for the factory intake, not the Alta intake.
Stick half of a thin toothpick (or a small piece of insulated electrical wire) in the hole then install the screw. It should tighten down just fine this way.
I use a long 8-32 machine bolt and nut, place the nut on a strip of tape, screw the bolt through lid and bottom box until it barely exits, stick nut on bolt end and screw, remove tape when threaded, hold nut while tightening.
There are a lot of games you can play... you can fill it with epoxy and drill a pilot hole. There's the toothpic, there's Keiths suggestion. The screws are thread forming screws for plastic. I've got an extra base, I think. PM me if you want it for cheap. Matt