86/87 325e fuel filter location

[Daily325e]

Tried searching forums for the answer but seems everyone has different locations. I know the models are different. Some say it's in the engine bay under the master cylinder and others say it's under the car drivers side near the rear wheel well. Well I did alot of research to no avail. Still new to the e30 scene . I found what looks like a filter under the car near the rear driver wheel well. It's about 5 inches long and held on by to clamps.

My main question : is there 2 filters or just one, and for my particular model where is the correct one/location. I looked at AutoZone and they have one in stock.

Attached a pic of what's under the car near the rear wheel well. Any help is appreciated.

[jeffnhiscars]

That's where it goes. Please,whomput them in thenengine bay are just being lazy. I'd suggest gettting the "j" hose that connects to the filter as well since more often than not they are cracked, hard as a rock or both.

[101]

Just one filter - the one in the back.

Folks that are not in the know sometimes mistake the carbon vapor canister for the fuel filter.

Jeff is right. Folks that relocate the filters to the engine bay are lazy as it could lead to performance issues and a greater chance of engine fire.

[reelizmpro]

People aren't relocating them. Some cars had them in the engine bay stock. My 87 325eS had it in the engine bay and I've also worked on a few cars that had it there as well. It sucked. Being in front of the rear wheel was much easier.

[dnguyen1963]

It used to be in the engine bay until the lawyers got involved.

[101]

^^ I stand corrected. My es and is are both late 1986 builds and both have their filters in the rear.

[estoguy]

My 9/85 Eta has the filter in the engine bay, under the master cylinder. When I replace it, I'm going to relocate it next to the intake by making the line from under the car longer. Have seen some pics on this forum of it being done.

That spot under the master cylinder is a real PITA to get at.

[1843lamp]

It is odd that similar time frame cars have this variation,my 6/86 ES and 5/87 325 both have the fuel filter mounted at the rear wheel location.

[jeffnhiscars]

I'm fairly confinfident that they were always in the rear. Does anyone with one in the engine bay know for a fact it came from the factory like that ?

[reelizmpro]

I'm fairly confinfident that they were always in the rear. Does anyone with one in the engine bay know for a fact it came from the factory like that ?

My mom bought her 85 325e brand new, was 2nd owner of 87 325eS in 94, etc. I also worked in a BMW indy shop as a teenager. I never figured out the production dates or why some cars had them in the engine bay but I know that some early cars had them there. Later cars had them in the usual location.

Just looked at my original 85 323i and the fuel filter is in the engine bay under the master cylinder secured vertically by two large clamps.