Been struggling now for some time try to fit new air filter element (Exige S OEM air box)
Wheel arch liner off
Interrcooler tube off
can’t seem to get filter to snap together at the far end flexi hose seems to be the problem, does not help that it is so cold as flexi is not that flexi!
May be need to heat it up with hair dryer from official S2 tool kit?
or
Do I need to remove the flexi inlet hose, if I do no sure how I will get that back on tho?
Make doubly sure your filter is the correct way round.
K&N for example has one corner more square than the other 3…
If it’s any consolation the TRD is even harder to fit (one reason I got rid)
You could try a smear of silicone grease on the filter flange to ease it in place …
Change of filter on family hatch = 3 minutes…
Change of filter on Exige = a bloody hour …
I currently have the squared off corner bottom right (looking from the back of the car)
Is this correct?
If so I’m going to try and warm up the flexi to make it more pliable
Ok…looks like the squared off corner goes top left
what a right royal PITA
mind you changing a head light bulb on my old golf was just as bad
The SECRET is…hairdryer played on flexi…or do this job on a hot sunny day not 0 degrees C
Yup … if the squared off corner was in the wrong place you wouldn’t get it to seal properly and it would be a pain to shut.
I wonder how many out there are incorrectly fitted and letting the motor breathe grit ?
Ps. I had a Golf for 5 years and REALLY enjoyed taking off the front of the car to change headlights bulbs !
Glad you’re sorted and have the filter the right way round 
one thing for sure…there are loads out there with dirty filters seeing as they are such a PITA to change.
Knowing what I now know…recon I could do it again in an hour tho.
If I want fit an air filter and induction tube something like Dave and 661 have (see pic stolen from Dave’s build post) what do I do with the 2 sensors currently on my OEM air box?? ie vacuum switching, airbox flap valve and mass air flow sensor. Can these be just disconnected without the ECU complaining?
You don’t need the flappy thing, disconnect or stuff a golf tee in the pipe.
You need your MAF with most ECUs. You could use something like this: