1995 318ti oil filter issue

[joseb552]

Hello,

I'm new here and to the M42 engines. I purchased a 1995 318ti as a project car for the winter, and while changing the oil I ran into an issue of sorts.

I ordered parts based on reference numbers from realoem.com and ecstuning.com.

The oil filter both of those sources recommended was the Mann HU 921 X, however when I tried to change it out, I noticed that the one in the car is shorter than the Mann and when I use the Mann in the housing, I can't bolt the housing down correctly. I checked and rechecked reference numbers and they all match. Any ideas?

Here is an image of the filter that was in the car and the Mann filter I ordered.

[timothymcn]

I'm guessing your oil filter housing is aluminum? Realoem has two different oil filters listed, one for aluminum housings and one for plastic ones. The one on the left looks like the Mahle filters I use for my aluminum oil filter housing.
This one:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3584-oem-mahlemann-e36-318i-92-95-e30-318i-89-91.aspx
Maybe the Mann one is for the plastic housings.

[joseb552]

I'm guessing your oil filter housing is aluminum? Realoem has two different oil filters listed, one for aluminum housings and one for plastic ones. The one on the left looks like the Mahle filters I use for my aluminum oil filter housing.
This one:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-3584-oem-mahlemann-e36-318i-92-95-e30-318i-89-91.aspx
Maybe the Mann one is for the plastic housings.

yeah it's the aluminum housing, funny, I checked on realoem and cross-referenced that number on ECSTuning and it showed the 921-X, guess they have some bad info. I'll order up the one you linked. Thanks!