changing cabin air filter

How do you get those stupid clip things off to get at the filter.
The manual says to push the center button I've tried this on all 5 and I have broken 2 of them. I'm real frustrated, any help would be great.

thanks, Matt

Hey Matt --
I can't say for sure on your 2000, but my 1996 and newer cars use the Pop Barrel Fasteners that spread the bottom of the barrel when the center pin is pushed IN, and releases the fastener when the center pin is pulled back OUT. Their still a pain to pull out even when released due to the barbed barrel.

Here's some www samples:
http://www.csparks.com/bmw/SunScreen/PopClosed.jpghttp://www.csparks.com/bmw/SunScreen/PopOpen.jpg
https://secure.microplastics.com/images/2pcancdw.jpghttp://www.itw-fastex.com/images/items/022.jpg
http://www.microplastics.co.uk/images/interior/panelfst.jpg

And a wierd tool for popping the center pin back up:
http://www.toolweb.com/pics/LIS39600.jpg

On mine, I just pushed the center down to the first detent (maybe a 1/4 inch or so) and lift the panel up once they are all released.

-Rod

you can get a large flat tip screw driver and put underneath the pin. Also you can push on the outer ridge of the pin and pull out the center pin. Lastly if you can put your fingers underneath the whole panel. Grab around the plastic pins and pull the pin out with the panel. Good Luck!!!

P.S. One good thing about the pin rivets is that you can buy them at O'reilly's,Pepboys,Autozone,ect.ect.

Rod's got this one --

Apparently it's not a pin Rivet that holds that filter cover.....