How to Change the Fuel Filter on a BMW 323I

1. Park the car in a well-ventilated area. Ensure that the gas tank is as low on fuel as possible. If needed, drive the car until most of the fuel has been used. Engage the parking brake.
2. Lift the front of the car with a floor jack and lower it onto a pair of jack stands placed under either side of the car on the frame rails. You can also drive the front of the car up onto floor ramps to access the underside, if available.
3. Remove the fuse for the fuel pump. Consult your owner's manual, as this will vary depending on which generation of BMW 323 you own. Turn the engine on until it stalls to remove the remaining fuel in the system.
4. Locate the fuel filter, which is located under the driver's side bottom of the car, before the engine. Remove bolts that fasten the fuel filter shield in place. The E46 cars use this shield. Set the shield aside.
5. Wrap a rag around the fuel lines on either end of the fuel filter and then squeeze the rag and the line with vice grips. Do not tighten the vice grips excessively as this may damage the lines.
6. Loosen the hose clamps that hold the fuel lines to the filter with a flat head screwdriver. Pull the lines off the filter and wipe up any spilled fuel. Loosen and remove the bolt that holds the fuel filter bracket to car. Remove the bracket and the fuel filter.
7. Dispose of the old filter properly, which will still have gas in it. Install the new filter with the filter bracket. Ensure that the arrow on the filter points towards the direction of the engine.
8. Slide the fuel lines back onto the filter and tighten the hose clamps with the screwdriver. Reinstall the fuel filter shield if applicable.
9. Reinstall the fuel filter fuse. Turn the ignition key to the 'On' position and then 'Off' several times before starting the engine to get fuel back into the fuel system. Start the engine and check for fuel leaks. Lower the car back to the ground.