interchangeable parts between e36 & e46

[sinisterE36]

are any engine parts interchangeable between e36 and e46 ?
i need to replace my oil filter housing and was just wondering if it was possible?
i know the part #s are different but i already matched both parts together to see if any differences at all.
the brackets are the same although the e46 filter has a place for a sensor (vanos line) where the e36 doesnt.
also inside where the housing mates up to the block theres a place (inside the gasket) for a oil return that the e36 dosent have either.
otherwise it looks like it can work but i just wanna know if anyone has tried this before and was successful?

 

[sinisterE36]

[80?] yes ? no ? nobody cares or am i on my own ?

 

[Kirby]

It's not that nobody cares, at least for my part, I don't know the answer to your question.

My *guess* is that some parts are interchangeable, and some are not. But that's not much help, so that's why I didn't answer the first time around.....

 

[sinisterE36]

maybe i should ask a bmw engineer

 

[epj3]

IIRC, The oil filter housings are interchangable but people with e36's sometimes upgrade to the e46 housing. I think the reason why is the e46 housing has different oil cooler fittings. Unless you need the better fittings (ie going FI and you need to run an oil line to a turbo), the stock housing is prob the best idea.

 

[sinisterE36]

so then that extra fitting could be used to plumb in an additional line for a oil cooler since im not goin forced induction?
the main reason im askin the question is because the e46 housing is slightly bigger and if i did wanna go fi i would be able to mod without problems and also cause i can find the newer part cheaper.