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      11-13-2015, 08:23 PM   #1
mdavis12
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Fuel filter interval and cost

Went for my third service today, and all they changed is the oil and engine air filter. I asked whether they replaced the fuel filter, SA said no. I am currently at 35k miles. Is it worth replacing at this point as preventative maintenance? How much does the replacement cost. The other item I am considering is replacing the spark plugs. Got a reasonable quote for $180 for this. Again, should I replace them at 35k?
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      11-13-2015, 09:02 PM   #2
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There's really no reason to change the FF on a gasoline engine. The filter is usually in the gas tank itself and is a royal pita. FWIW the diesels have two filters and only the secondary filter gets changed every 2nd or 3rd service.
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      11-13-2015, 09:19 PM   #3
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thanks. I thought it was accessible under the driver side on gasoline card. I guess that is not the case. what do you think about the spark plugs. Bimmers service quoted 180. which is the best so far after calling around most places quote around $300 to replace them. worth replacing?
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      11-14-2015, 07:53 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavis12 View Post
thanks. I thought it was accessible under the driver side on gasoline card. I guess that is not the case. what do you think about the spark plugs. Bimmers service quoted 180. which is the best so far after calling around most places quote around $300 to replace them. worth replacing?
Try realoem.com if you want to confirm the location. The FF for diesels is usually located under driver side. I can't comment on plug
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      02-07-2016, 04:03 PM   #5
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Fuel Filter

The N20, N26, and N55 engine have a fuel filter that is a lifetime filter. It is integrated into the fuel supply module.
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      02-07-2016, 05:21 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iknowrepairs
The N20, N26, and N55 engine have a fuel filter that is a lifetime filter. It is integrated into the fuel supply module.
Here we go again.

Please define "lifetime."

It's your car, if it were mine, I'd replace mine. When fuel filters get clogged, and they reach the end of their "lifetime" your fuel pump has to work harder. And it won't be long before the "lifetime" of your fuel pump reaches its end too.
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      02-07-2016, 08:24 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cncmastr View Post
Here we go again.

Please define "lifetime."


It's your car, if it were mine, I'd replace mine. When fuel filters get clogged, and they reach the end of their "lifetime" your fuel pump has to work harder. And it won't be long before the "lifetime" of your fuel pump reaches its end too.
I don't think he is saying it's "lifetime".

He's just posting what's verbatim from another section in the Service manual that references the sections in the attachments.
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      02-08-2016, 03:22 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cncmastr View Post
Here we go again.

Please define "lifetime."

It's your car, if it were mine, I'd replace mine. When fuel filters get clogged, and they reach the end of their "lifetime" your fuel pump has to work harder. And it won't be long before the "lifetime" of your fuel pump reaches its end too.
In seriousness it's 'forever'. It's a part that fails early (prematurely) or sometime way off into the future. Seriously I think I've heard of a handful in over 10 years. They just don't fail or the failure rate is so ridiculously long (120k miles) there's no reason to waste money treating it as a preventative maintenance item.
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      02-12-2016, 10:35 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F32Fleet View Post
In seriousness it's 'forever'. It's a part that fails early (prematurely) or sometime way off into the future. Seriously I think I've heard of a handful in over 10 years. They just don't fail or the failure rate is so ridiculously long (120k miles) there's no reason to waste money treating it as a preventative maintenance item.
This.

It's a waste of money to replace this as a maintenance item.

Now I would personally disagree with the "lifetime" assessment on the transmission. Mostly because the replacement cost of filter/pan/ATF is significantly less than the replacement cost of the automatic transmission.
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      11-09-2017, 04:55 PM   #10
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when bmw says "lifetime", it's lifetime of the warranty of the car !

its a common sense, a "filter" is a replaceable part right ? (question is at what mileage ?)
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      11-09-2017, 07:44 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdavis12 View Post
Went for my third service today, and all they changed is the oil and engine air filter. I asked whether they replaced the fuel filter, SA said no. I am currently at 35k miles. Is it worth replacing at this point as preventative maintenance? How much does the replacement cost. The other item I am considering is replacing the spark plugs. Got a reasonable quote for $180 for this. Again, should I replace them at 35k?
$180 is a way cheap price - usual price from a dealer is twice that or more. Not sure what the replacement interval on them is - on older N54 turbo engines they were a 45K mile item. I wouldn't bother to change before then.

As many have said on the fuel filter: don't bother. At least until 100K miles (or you have trouble!) As you can see, it's not an easy job, isn't inline (like old-time cars had), and is unlikely to need replacing if you're using a good gas station.

These cars aren't the same as cars were 20 years ago.

FYI, the diesel cars require fuel filter replacement (they're also water catchers) every 3rd oil change (30K-40K miles). But it's an entirely different animal.
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      11-10-2017, 02:35 PM   #12
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Back in "the day", plugs, fuel filters etc were changed every 10000 miles/1 year....so how did they become "lifetime or 50K mile parts"?

Unleaded fuel, exotic metal plug electrodes and better fuel storage conditions..
In days of yore...you pulled plugs after a year then and you saw marked erosion of the electrodes which widened the gap and produced high RPM misfires since the coil/point ignitions didn't develop super high spark voltage like the electronic systems of today...Fuel was stored in sketchy tankage...the EPA demanded better corrosion protection for gas station tankage...which cut down on contaminated gas...and most vehicles today have polymer (plastic) gas tanks so no chance of rust contamination there either...I'd pass on the fuel filter...do plugs at around 50 K or so and you're good to go!
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      11-11-2017, 10:14 AM   #13
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The newest Bentley's for the F30 series states: "...equipped with a a lifetime fuel filter with no specified replacement interval."

Plug replacement, according BMW, varies depending on the year and engine. What does your Service department say? It's recommended at 45k miles for my 335i due to the N-55 engine.
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      05-04-2019, 12:22 PM   #14
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86k miles is when mine went

So do we also have a separate fuel filter located undercarriage? Or does this module carry a fuel filter in it?
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      05-04-2019, 12:50 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyrgyz View Post
So do we also have a separate fuel filter located undercarriage? Or does this module carry a fuel filter in it?
No separate fuel filter; only the one integrated in the fuel pump in the tank.
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      05-04-2019, 12:57 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iknowrepairs View Post
The N20, N26, and N55 engine have a fuel filter that is a lifetime filter. It is integrated into the fuel supply module.
+1

I always chuckle when I see threads about changing them (on said engines).

Maybe consider using Top Tier Fuel and a bottle of Techron every 5k.

If BMW thought that American gasoline was shitty enough... they would have made the filter accessible.

Point is, there is no point in changing it unless you choose to run garbage through your fuel system.
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      05-27-2019, 10:48 PM   #17
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Most, if not all, manufacturers haven’t been using “real” fuel filters for quite some time. The so-called filter is a strainer/screen that is integral to the fuel pump, and in my experience, not a replaceable/serviceable part. I think the fuel companies have gotten to the point where they have become pretty proficient at filtering out all the crap before it gets to the gas station. The filter is basically a strainer for any sediment that may collect in the tank over time. My old Jeep had nearly 260k miles on it when I finally parted with it. Never had to replace the fuel pump.

Last edited by IraHayes; 05-28-2019 at 06:57 AM..
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      05-28-2019, 12:29 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sspade View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by iknowrepairs View Post
The N20, N26, and N55 engine have a fuel filter that is a lifetime filter. It is integrated into the fuel supply module.
+1

I always chuckle when I see threads about changing them (on said engines).

Maybe consider using Top Tier Fuel and a bottle of Techron every 5k.

If BMW thought that American gasoline was shitty enough... they would have made the filter accessible.

Point is, there is no point in changing it unless you choose to run garbage through your fuel system.
Agreed! Use good gas and mostly likely you won't have any abnormal problems.
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      07-11-2019, 02:01 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CajunBMW View Post
Agreed! Use good gas and mostly likely you won't have any abnormal problems.
Regardless if you use good gas you will still have the filter lose it efficiency and thus affect starting/flow issues. I replaced my fuel filter on my E46 every 50k and you can see the dirt coming out of it. I had starting issues and changing the filter fixed it. I plane to change my pump/filter around 80k miles (at 73 now)
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      07-22-2019, 07:21 PM   #20
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N20 plugs should be changed out at 60k intervals. I'm almost there so I will be doing it soon. I've done it before on my 228i. It's relatively easy to do. Never trust the gap when you buy new plugs. I'm tuned so I will have a smaller gap than stock.
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      07-23-2019, 08:41 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Solidjake View Post
Regardless if you use good gas you will still have the filter lose it efficiency and thus affect starting/flow issues. I replaced my fuel filter on my E46 every 50k and you can see the dirt coming out of it. I had starting issues and changing the filter fixed it. I plane to change my pump/filter around 80k miles (at 73 now)
I just replaced my low pressure fuel pump (with filter) at 116k miles when my HPFP and fuel injector took a crap. My as well refresh the entire fuel system at that mileage because it would suck to have that fail at the track and need to be towed home.... lol.
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      07-05-2023, 05:19 PM   #22
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Looking to change the fuel filter this coming weekend and I've found this well-made tutorial if anyone is interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEYa_hBFjig
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