BMW 3 Series E46 Compact Fuel Petrol Cap Cover Pot 7007960

The BMW 3 Series E46 Compact Fuel Filler Flap is an original body part designed for gasoline-powered vehicles. It ensures a tight and secure closure of the filler neck, protecting the fuel system from contamination and mechanical damage. Thanks to its genuine BMW OE origin, the flap maintains a proper fit with the body lines and aesthetics of the E46 Compact model, facilitating installation and subsequent use.

Specifications and technical data

• SKU: 7007960
• Mark: BMW (Genuine OE)
• Condition: Used
• OEM Part Number: 7007960
• Substitutable numbers: 51177007960, 7007960, 51174311308, 4311308
• Fuel type: Petrol
• Category: Fuel Flaps & Components

Purpose and Function in the Fuel System

This fuel filler flap is dedicated to the BMW 3 Series E46 Compact with a gasoline engine. The component is responsible for covering the fuel filler cap and a portion of the filler neck housing, limiting the ingress of moisture, dirt, and road salt into the refueling area. A correctly selected flap helps maintain stable operating conditions for the fuel system and reduces the risk of corrosion around the filler neck housing.

Due to its factory geometry and appropriate sheet metal bending radii, the flap works seamlessly with the hinge and opening mechanism, in line with the original body construction. This simplifies daily vehicle operation during refueling and reduces stress on the mounting points.

Construction, Fit, and Installation

The flap belongs to the Fuel Filler Flaps and Accessories group, meaning it has been specifically designed for the fuel filler area, considering operational loads and weather conditions. Its genuine BMW OE origin translates to:

• maintaining factory gaps between body elements,
• proper alignment with the fender and bumper,
• compatibility with the original hinge and opening mechanism,
• adequate rigidity and stability during repeated opening and closing.

As a used part, this item comes from disassembly, allowing for the preservation of its original material and construction specifications. In practice, this means easy installation in place of a damaged or corroded flap without the need for body modifications.

Benefits of Using an Original Fuel Filler Flap

Using an original fuel filler flap on the BMW E46 Compact offers a range of practical benefits:

• Consistent Body Aesthetics – maintaining the original body line and proper profile in the fuel filler area.
• Fuel System Compatibility – construction adapted for gasoline-powered vehicles, promoting proper operation of the refueling area.
• Stable Mounting – precisely fitted mounting points reduce the risk of play and improper hinge operation.
• Hassle-Free Replacement – possibility of installation in place of a damaged part without additional adaptations.

For workshops and individual users, this means shorter repair times, a predictable final result, and preservation of the vehicle's original character.

Professional Selection and Technical Support

The fuel filler flap is marked with a dedicated OEM part number and has interchangeable numbers, which facilitates precise identification of the part in manufacturer catalogs or by VIN. This allows for verification of compatibility with a specific version of the BMW 3 Series E46 Compact, minimizing the risk of selecting the wrong part.

To better understand the role of the refueling area within the entire fuel supply system, it is worth consulting specialized technical materials. A practical discussion on the construction and operation of the fuel system, along with principles for selecting components by OEM numbers, can be found in the article “Fuel System – Injectors, Pumps, and Fuel Tank: Maintenance and Repair”.

Expanding Repairs in the BMW Fuel Filler Area

If you are planning a comprehensive repair or upgrade of the fuel filler area on your BMW and need other parts from the same group, such as additional covers, mounts, or flap-related accessories, check the available parts in the BMW Fuel Filler Flaps and Accessories category.

For more extensive body repairs, such as after a collision, a guide on working with disassembled body parts may also be helpful. This can be found in the article “Body and Chassis – Post-Accident Repairs Using Disassembled Parts”, which describes procedures for selecting and installing used OEM components.