Where to Find the Oil Filter on a 2016 BMW 330i

The oil filter on a 2016 BMW 330i is located in the engine bay on top of the engine, towards the front-right (passenger) side, housed in a black plastic canister-style filter housing that is accessed from above rather than from underneath the car. This design makes the filter relatively easy to reach once the engine cover is removed.

Understanding the 2016 BMW 330i Engine Layout

The 2016 BMW 330i sold in most markets is equipped with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine from BMW’s modular “B-series” family (commonly referred to as the B48 engine). Unlike many older vehicles that use a spin-on metal oil filter mounted underneath the engine, this engine uses a cartridge-style oil filter housed in a reusable plastic canister on top of the engine block.

Exact Location of the Oil Filter

On a 2016 BMW 330i with the B48 engine, the oil filter is mounted vertically in a black plastic housing at the front-right area of the engine bay (as you face the car from the front). It is accessed from above, not from under the vehicle.

Step-by-Step: How to Physically Locate the Oil Filter

The following steps outline how to identify and visually locate the oil filter housing in the engine bay of a 2016 BMW 330i.

1. Open the hood: Pull the hood release handle inside the cabin (usually near the driver’s side footwell), then release the safety latch at the front of the car and raise the hood fully.
2. Identify the engine cover: You’ll see a large plastic engine cover with the BMW logo on top. This cover conceals much of the upper engine, including access to the oil filter housing.
3. Remove the engine cover: Gently pull upward at the corners of the engine cover; it is usually held in place by rubber grommets and will pop off with moderate, even pressure. Set the cover aside.
4. Locate the front-right area of the engine: Standing in front of the car, look toward the passenger side (right side of the vehicle). The oil filter housing is positioned near the front of the engine, closer to the radiator than to the firewall.
5. Identify the filter housing: Look for a cylindrical black plastic canister with a large hex-shaped top (typically usable with a socket or oil filter cap tool). This hex cap is the lid of the oil filter housing.
6. Confirm the component: The housing is connected to an aluminum base integrated into the engine. It will usually be near other service points such as the oil fill cap, and often has a small diagram or part number molded into the plastic.

Once you recognize the hex-top canister on the front-right side of the engine block under the removed engine cover, you have located the oil filter on the 2016 BMW 330i.

Top-Mounted Cartridge-Style Filter: Why It Matters

The BMW B48 engine’s cartridge-style, top-mounted oil filter is different from the more traditional spin-on filters seen in many other vehicles. Understanding this design helps when planning maintenance, buying parts, or deciding whether to do the work yourself or use a professional shop.

Key Characteristics of the 2016 330i Oil Filter Setup

The following points describe how the oil filter system on this car is designed and what owners should know before changing it.

• Cartridge insert, not spin-on can: The filter itself is a paper cartridge that sits inside the plastic housing. You replace the cartridge, not the entire canister.
• Plastic housing with hex cap: The top of the housing has a molded hex shape designed for an oil filter cap wrench or appropriately sized socket (commonly around 27 mm, though owners should confirm for their specific housing).
• O-ring seal required: Each filter change involves replacing the large rubber O-ring on the cap (and sometimes smaller O-rings supplied with the new filter). These seals are critical to prevent leaks.
• Access from above: Because it is top-mounted, most of the filter service is done from the engine bay, not from underneath the car, which is convenient for DIY work.
• Integrated into oil circuit: The filter housing is directly bolted to the engine’s oil passages, so using the proper torque and correct parts is important to avoid leaks or damage.

These characteristics mean oil changes on this car differ from older BMWs or many non-European cars, but with the correct tools and parts, the process is straightforward and repeatable.

Basic Guidance for Changing the Oil Filter

While a full procedural guide should be followed from a service manual or a detailed DIY resource, understanding the basic steps gives context to where the filter sits and how it is accessed on a 2016 BMW 330i.

Overview of the Oil Filter Change Process

The following list outlines the main steps involved in changing the oil filter once you have located it. This is not a complete step-by-step repair manual but a high-level guide for orientation.

1. Prepare the vehicle: Park on a level surface, let the engine cool to a safe temperature, and gather tools (filter cap tool, socket set, drain pan, new filter cartridge, new O-rings, and correct oil).
2. Remove the engine cover: As described earlier, lift off the engine cover to expose the oil filter housing.
3. Loosen the filter cap: Use the appropriate tool to slowly loosen the oil filter housing cap. Some technicians slightly loosen it before draining oil so the housing can vent.
4. Drain engine oil: From underneath the car, remove the drain plug (or follow the specific B48 procedure) and allow the oil to fully drain into a suitable container.
5. Remove the old filter: Once the cap is unscrewed, pull out the old filter cartridge from the housing. Note the orientation for installing the new filter.
6. Replace O-rings: Carefully remove the old O-ring(s) from the cap using a plastic pick or fingernail (avoid damaging the plastic). Install the new O-ring(s) supplied with the filter, lightly lubricating them with fresh engine oil.
7. Install the new filter cartridge: Insert the new filter into the housing or onto the cap (depending on design) so it seats firmly in place.
8. Reinstall and torque the cap: Screw the housing cap back into place and tighten it to the manufacturer’s specified torque. Over-tightening can crack the housing; under-tightening can cause leaks.
9. Refill oil and check for leaks: Add the specified type and amount of oil through the oil filler cap, start the engine, and check around the oil filter housing and drain plug for any signs of leaking.
10. Replace the engine cover: Once everything is checked and dry, snap the engine cover back into position over the engine.

Following these general steps while using the correct torque specifications and parts ensures the filter housing remains secure and leak-free, and that the engine receives clean, properly filtered oil.

Model Variations and Verification

Within the 2016 model year, some markets and production windows used different engine codes in 3 Series cars (for example, earlier F30 3 Series used the N20 engine in 328i models). The 2016 330i, however, is generally associated with the newer B48 four-cylinder engine, which consistently places the oil filter on top in a cartridge housing.

How to Confirm You’re Looking at the Right Component

It is wise to double-check that you have identified the correct oil filter housing instead of another plastic component in the engine bay.

• Visual match to replacement part: Compare what you see in the engine bay with photos of a B48 oil filter housing or the filter cartridge listed by your parts supplier for a 2016 330i.
• Location near oil fill: The housing is usually within reach of the engine oil filler cap, reinforcing that it is part of the lubrication system.
• Presence of hex cap: The large, single hex-shaped top is characteristic of BMW’s modern cartridge filter housings, not of coolant reservoirs or other components.
• Check the owner’s manual: The manual or BMW’s digital service information often includes diagrams that clearly label the oil filter housing on the engine layout.
• VIN-based lookup: Online BMW parts catalogs allow you to enter your VIN and display exact diagrams of the engine and filter housing for your specific vehicle build.

By confirming visually and via documentation, you avoid mistaking another plastic reservoir or cap for the oil filter housing and ensure you’re servicing the right part of the engine.

Summary

On a 2016 BMW 330i, the oil filter is located on top of the engine, towards the front-right (passenger side) of the engine bay, inside a vertical black plastic canister with a hex-shaped cap. You reach it by removing the plastic engine cover and accessing the cartridge-style filter from above. This top-mounted housing is a key feature of the B48 engine used in the 2016 330i and is designed for cartridge filter replacement, with O-rings that must be changed at every service. Verifying the component against diagrams or parts photos helps ensure accurate identification and safe maintenance.