Fuel Filter at 100k
 

Swapped out the fuel filter for the first time at 100k and thought you might like to see why you shouldn't wait as long as I did...

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/o...fuelfilter.jpg

great evidence of why "lifetime fluids & filters" story from BMW is pure BS. Owners should change these at 50 - 60K.

wow, thats why I change everything when I buy a used car...

I think that is BS. Saying that the fuel filter is a lifetime filter is like saying that the gasoline that goes through it is lifetime gasoline. You change your fuel filter when it gets clogged. That has nothing to do with 100,000 miles, it has everything to do with how clean the fuel is that you purchase. They can go in a week, or never, depending on fuel cleanliness. I would change it at Inspection II around 60,000 miles, and earlier if I had a fuel flow problem.

hmm o snap lol i cant remember if i ever changed mine (142K) lol. But ive always filled up at one gas station unless out of town. i could have swore i changed it around 98 but i dont have any reciepts to back up my memory. I guess its just better to change it again any way its almost at 50k on it if i did changed it.

Hi,

Wow, I have to swap my Diesel one out (from what i have been told). Can I ask did you use DIY Instructions, or just tackled it yourself? If a DIY, which one? I have found one on this board in the how to's and found another on a different board.. The filters are in a differnt place in each DIY..

Was you filter easy to get to?

Sorry for the questions.

Rob

Did you notice car drove better after changing filter?

I changed mine at 100K. Didn't notice any difference. I don't think BMW claims that the fuel filter is lifetime, although I don't believe they have a specific replacement interval either.

Something I have thought of doing, now it's on the list. Thanks for the post.:thumbup:

I just pulled off the shield covering the gas tank and the filter was easy to get at. Note the shield can be tough to fully remove and replace and I'd recommend just dropping the one side enough to get at the filter. I really wrestled with getting it fully off and on. There is a good DIY around here somewhere that I saw... You also need to be careful with the blue plastic clips that secure the fuel lines to the filter, they can break in half easily and are very hard, or impossible, to find individually.