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.

No difference
 

I didn't notice any difference in drivability at all...

I had mine changed out at 94k this past summer and noticed an improvement in driving. Less downshifting on light gradients and lower fuel consumption.

In the X3, the fuel filter is within the fuel tank itself which requires the removal of a bunch of stuff, including the rear bench. The indy shop that did this botched the job multiple times, causing either an awful fuel stench in the cabin, and also an SES. They finally redid all the seals which cured the problems, but certainly it was a headache.

Another reason I don't like fuel tank getting below half a tank. I usually top of when I use only a quarter of a tank. I love seeing a full gauge.

Had mine replaced at ~60k miles, while getting a thorough InspII, and other fluids changed by my Indie; he cut open the old filter and it looked about like the OP's pic...
didn't notice any driving diff, but worth getting it done, imo, with the suspect gas quality.
Too bad it's a PIA to get to, and replace.
GL, mD

I have never replaced mine, but I will put it on the list now.

Proof once again that is has nothing to do with the number of miles, and everything to do with the quality of the fuel that goes through the filter. :thumbup:

I will add this to my list of to do's as well. Thanks for the post.

Yeah, I would keep buying gas from whatever station you frequent the most.

Being as that I am no chemist, and don't know the quality of a certain "batch" of fuel from all vendors, I replaced my fuel filter/fpr at 100k.

I will likely not care about where I buy my gas, so long as it is 93, and replace the filter/fpr again at 200k.