Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF) BMW 3-Series

Change Car Particulate Filter (DPF)

Easy 0h30–2h00 ~50–200£
Estimated time 0h30–2h00
Estimated labour cost ~50–200£
Difficulty Easy
Vehicles
3-Series 1998-2007 7
  • 318d Diesel (M47D20)
  • 318d, -td Diesel (M47D20TU)
  • 320d Diesel (M47D20)
  • 320d, -Cd Diesel (M47D20TU)
  • 320d, -td, -Cd Diesel (M47D20TU)
  • 330d, -xd Diesel (M57D30)
  • 330d, -xd, -Cd Diesel (M57D30TU)
3-Series 2005-2013 18
  • 316d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 318d Diesel (M47D20TU2uL)
  • 318d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 318d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d Diesel (M47D20TU2OL)
  • 320d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 320d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 320d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -Xd Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -Xd M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 325d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 325d Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 330d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 330d, -xd Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 330d, -xd Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 335d Diesel (M57D30T2)
  • 335d Diesel (M57D30T2)
3-Series 2011-2020 17
  • 316d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 316d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 318d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 320d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 320d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 320d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 325d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 325d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 325d Diesel (N47D20D)
  • 330d, -xDrive Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 330d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N57D30A)
  • 335d xDrive Diesel (N57D30B)
3-Series 2019-2025 9
  • 316d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 316d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 318d Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 318d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 320d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1)
  • 320d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B)
  • 330d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
  • 330d, -xDrive Diesel (B57D30A)
  • M340d mHev xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1)
Check the catalytic converter 0h30
Remove/refit the pre-catalytic converter 1h30–5h00
Renew the pre-catalytic converter 1h30–5h00
Remove/refit the catalytic converter 1h00–3h30
Renew the catalytic converter 1h00–3h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter 2h30–18h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter 2h30–18h00
Prepare the catalytic converter heat shield for installation* 0h30–8h00
Remove/refit the petrol particulate filter 2h30–18h00
Renew the petrol particulate filter 2h30–18h00
Check the diesel particulate filter 0h30
Remove/refit the catalytic converter ( - 02/2004) 2h00
Remove/refit the catalytic converter (03/2004 - ) 2h30
Renew the catalytic converter (03/2004 - ) 2h30
Renew the catalytic converter ( - 02/2004) 2h00
Remove/refit the front catalytic converter 1h30–2h00
Renew the front catalytic converter 1h30–2h00
Remove/refit the rear catalytic converter 1h30
Renew the rear catalytic converter 1h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter/catalytic converter assembly 2h30–7h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter/catalytic converter assembly 2h30–7h00
Remove/refit the petrol particulate filter differential pressure sensor 0h30–1h00
Renew the petrol particulate filter differential pressure sensor 0h30–1h00
Remove/refit the petrol particulate filter temperature sensor 0h30–1h30
Renew the petrol particulate filter temperature sensor 0h30–1h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Rear-wheel drive 2h30
Renew the diesel particulate filter Rear-wheel drive 2h30
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter 4WD 3h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter 4WD 3h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Estate 5h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter Estate 5h00
Remove/refit the diesel particulate filter Saloon 4h00
Renew the diesel particulate filter Saloon 4h00
Remove/refit the AdBlue tank control unit 1h30
Remove/refit the AdBlue tank 2h30
Drain/refill the AdBlue tank 0h45
Renew the AdBlue tank control unit 1h30
Renew the AdBlue tank 2h30

What is a BMW 3-Series particulate filter?

Diesel engines and direct-injection petrol engines produce soot particles. The particulate filter (DPF/GPF) traps these harmful particles as exhaust gases pass through its honeycomb structure. It is placed on the exhaust line after the catalytic converter.

How does the BMW 3-Series particulate filter work?

As soot accumulates, the filter periodically burns off (regenerates) the trapped particles. Active regeneration raises exhaust temperatures to 550–600°C, burning soot to ash. This occurs every 300–500 km during normal motorway driving. Vehicles driven only on short urban trips may not regenerate properly, leading to blockage.

When should you change the BMW 3-Series particulate filter?

The DPF is designed to last 150,000–250,000 km but depends on driving patterns. Signs of needed replacement: DPF warning light, engine in limp mode, excessive exhaust smoke, or diagnostic scan showing excessive back-pressure or failed regeneration cycles.

Can the BMW 3-Series particulate filter be cleaned instead of replaced?

Yes, professional DPF cleaning can restore a blocked filter at a fraction of replacement cost. However, if the filter substrate is cracked, melted, or structurally damaged, replacement is the only option. Never use a DPF removal/delete service — it is illegal and will fail the MOT/emissions test.

Is it difficult to change the BMW 3-Series particulate filter?

Difficulty level 2/5: technically straightforward but physically demanding due to the filter's location and weight. Key steps: raise the vehicle, disconnect pressure sensors, remove exhaust clamps/bolts, lower the old DPF, fit the new one with new gaskets, reconnect sensors, clear fault codes, perform a forced regeneration cycle.

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View your 3-Series maintenance plan (keep the 3-Series token) →

7 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
3-Series 1975-1983 1975-1983 315 Petrol (M10B16), 316 Petrol (M10B16), 316 Petrol (M10B18), 318i Petrol (M10B18), 320 Petrol (M10B20), 320 Petrol (M20B20), 320i Petrol (M10B20) Petrol
3-Series 1982-1995 1982-1995 316 Petrol (M10B18), 316i Petrol (M10B18), 316i Petrol (M40B16), 318i Petrol (M10B18), 318i Petrol (M40B18), 318is Petrol (M42B18), 320i Petrol (M20B20), 320i Petrol (M20B20), 320is Petrol (S14B20), 323i Petrol (M20B23), 323i Petrol (M20B23), 325e Petrol (M20B27), 325i, -ix Petr… Petrol
3-Series 1990-2000 1990-2000 316g (65/75 kW) CNG,Petrol (M43B16), 316i (73/75 kW) Petrol (M40B16), 316i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B16), 318i (83/85 kW) Petrol (M40B18), 318i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B18), 318is Petrol (M42B18), 318is, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M44B19), 320i Petrol (M50B20), 320i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M52B20), 32… CNG, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 1998-2007 1998-2007 316 Ci Petrol (M43B16TU), 316i, -Ci, -LPG LPG,Petrol (M43B19TU), 316i, -ti, -Ci Petrol (N40B16), 316i, -ti, -Ci Petrol (N45B16), 316i, -ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N42B18A), 316i, -ti, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B18A), 316ti Petrol (N40B16), 318 Ci Petrol (N46B20), 318d Diesel (M47D20), 318d,… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 2005-2013 2005-2013 316d Diesel (N47D20C), 316i Petrol (N43B16A), 316i Petrol (N45B16A), 318d Diesel (M47D20TU2uL), 318d Diesel (N47D20A), 318d Diesel (N47D20C), 318i Petrol (N43B20A), 318i Petrol (N43B20A), 318i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B20B), 320d Diesel (M47D20TU2OL), 320d Diesel (N47D20A), 320d Die… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 2011-2020 2011-2020 316d Diesel (B47D20A), 316d Diesel (N47D20C), 316i Petrol (N13B16A), 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 318d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 318d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C), 318i Petrol (B38B15A), 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (B47D20A), 320d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D20C), 320d, -xD… Diesel, Electricity, LPG, Petrol
3-Series 2019-2025 2019-2025 316d Diesel (B47D20B), 316d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 318d Diesel (B47D20B), 318d mHev 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 318i Petrol (B48B20A), 320d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 320d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20B), 320e, -xDrive Electricity,Petrol (B48B20… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Electricity, Petrol

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View the service schedule for your 3-Series →